Selecting the correct credit counselor can make a vast difference in your consolidating experience.
Many people, who decide to use the services of a credit counselor as opposed to doing it themselves, will be unaware of some of the problems they may face.
It is an unfortunate fact that most of these organizations exist to make a profit whilst at the same time claiming to be there to help you.
When choosing a credit counselor, it will be safest to select a credit counseling company that is registered to a nationally accredited organization.
The most popular and widely recognized of these organizations is the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC).
  A company that is belongs to an organization such as the NFCC will be required to meet certain standards of quality.
When choosing a credit counseling company, one must ensure that: The entirety of the money you are going to pay will actually go to your creditors - some credit counseling companies will take a compulsory $15 - 20 "donation" or fee off your payments.
Any money removed from the amount going towards your creditors will make your payments take longer.
This can be detrimental to your credit score, especially if you have chosen a company which will take your entire first month's payment as a fee.
Successfully paying off your debt requires prompt, timeous payments each month, with the correct amount of money.
If you have chosen a credit counselor who will take off a fee off your monthly payment, this interferes with the fundamentals of paying off your debt.
As a result your credit score will be damaged and the debt will take much longer to pay off.
You must research the company.
Knowledge is power.
Information can be gained by asking the company for referrals from people who've used them before.
You can also ask around on message boards and more importantly, you can check with the Better Business Bureau in their area.
You must ensure that the company offers a full range of services, especially the services that you will require.
Not everyone needs a debt management plan.
Sometimes all you will need is someone to help you sort through all your creditors and make a plan towards debt consolidation.
This is why a counseling company will need a full range of services.
It is also a good idea to have a counseling session that will last a full hour before you sign up with the company.
You need to be certain that the company is looking out for your best interests, and you are not going to get caught in a program that you cannot get out of.
You need to ascertain that the company you choose will work with any creditors that are willing to work with it in return.
Some creditors will not work with debt consolidation companies or credit counseling services, but will prefer to work directly with you.
A good credit counseling company will be willing to work with any creditor that is accepting.
Some debt consolidation companies will not work with certain creditors, but will only choose to work with creditors from whom they receive some form of profit.
The credit counseling company needs to be insured, or bonded, to protect you in the event of the company closing down.
When choosing your credit counseling company, an important thing to beware of is companies that make wonderful promises.
Keep old adage in mind, "if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
" No company can magically increase your credit score or make things on your credit report disappear.
Fixing your credit score takes diligent, legitimate work - lots of time, planning and persistence.
It is not something that can be done overnight.