Finding a Reputable Debt Consolidation Company

If you are looking for a company that will help you consolidate your debt, you need to be cautious. Consolidating your loans into a single low interest loan can be a very good step financially, however there is a wide range of quality in the help you can receive. Some organizations are going to be more helpful than others and a few will even try to scam you.

Here are a few tips to make sure you go with a reputable debt consolidation company:

  • Don't assume that a non-profit company is necessarily going to look out for your interests more than a for profit debt consolidation company. There are non-profits that are basically trying to take advantage of people in debt.
  • Go with a company that has a good reputation. Your local bank is probably a good place to start. Banks are in the business of providing loans and they make money when people pay back those loans. A company that makes money just by getting someone to signup for a loan may be less likely to look out for your needs over the long term.
  • Watch out for balloon loans. Balloon loans are a type of debt that allows you to pay a very small amount monthly for 5 to 10 years. At the end of that period you are required to pay off the debt in full. Since the monthly payments are usually low, you often end up just paying on the interest. This means that at the end of 5 years you still have made very little progress toward getting out of debt.
  • Check with the Better Business Bureau before selecting a debt consolidation company. If others have had a bad experience you want to know before deciding to go with them.
  • Do the math yourself. Take the time to work through the expenses yourself and see how much you will be paying, how long it will take to pay off the loan, etc. Don't just rely on someone else to tell you what they think is best.
  • If you don't understand something be sure to ask questions until you do. A good debt company is going to want you to fully understand everything. If you get the feeling that they don't want to explain everything to you, beware.
  • Make sure you understand the difference between variable and fixed rate loans. If you sign up for a variable rate loan, you may get a lower rate initially, but within a few years it may go up. It is important for you to understand not only your starting payments, but what those payments may be in the future.
  • By following these guidelines and using good common sense you should be able to steer clear of companies that might be looking to take advantage of you.

    More information about getting out of debt can be found at the Debt Consolidation Blog.

    In The News:


    Financial Decisions Group Launches Their Free Debt Consolidation ...
    PR.com (press release), NY - 4 hours ago
    Financial Decisions Group, located online at financialdecisionsgroup.net, recently launched their online debt consolidation website to assist more customers ...

    Debt Consolidation and Management Options
    Infos Jeunes France, France - Dec 3, 2008
    Fortunately, there are many steps you can take on your own to deal with your debt problem. Learning how to handle your finances and your debt is the first ...

    Judge Bars Lawyer From Doing Debt Consolidation Work
    NBC6.net, FL - Nov 25, 2008
    A Broward County judge announced Tuesday that Hess is barred from doing any more business related to debt consolidation. She could also lose her license to ...
    Attorney General Announces Settlement in Debt Relief Scheme Chipley Florida Online Newspaper - Foster Folly News
    Pompano lawyer barred from debt settlement MiamiHerald.com
    all 3 news articles

    Johnson Outdoors Inc. Announces Fiscal 2008 Fourth Quarter and ...
    MarketWatch - 1 hour ago
    Key elements of the plans are: Aggressive cost-saving initiatives include, among others: consolidation of dive computer manufacturing, 20 percent reduction ...

    Business is booming for debt-consolidation companies as more ...
    Bizjournals.com, NC - Nov 17, 2008
    “Last month was the biggest month we ever had,” said Craven, president of Debt Settlement USA in Scottsdale. The national company, which operates in 29 ...

    The Bank of New York Mellon Appointed Corporate Trustee by Marfin ...
    MarketWatch - 19 hours ago
    ... collateralized debt obligations, derivative securities and international debt offerings. The consolidation of the three modern and dynamic banks Egnatia ...

    Debt Consolidation With Personal Loans: Not a Good Idea
    Infos Jeunes France, France - Dec 2, 2008
    Then, you must have come across the option of debt consolidation, where the lenders must have advertised the option of personal loans. ...

    Debt Consolidation Bad Credit – On Getting A Debt Consolidation ...
    WebWire (press release), GA - Nov 25, 2008
    BadCreditCity.org said “the best rated debt consolidation service? well, the one ethic enough to tell you that a debt consolidation loan is not the best ...
    Bad Credit Debt Consolidation – The Truth About Debt Consolidation ... WebWire (press release)
    all 3 news articles

    Fire departments agree to study consolidation
    Gulf Breeze News,  USA - 18 hours ago
    "They come in and look at everything from staffing, pensions, debt, stations, equipment," Kanzigg said. "They evaluate everything like response times, ...

    QualServ Successfully Restructures Through Consolidation
    MarketWatch - Dec 2, 2008
    ... including recapitalizing the business through a debt-for-equity swap with its existing lenders. The restructuring effort also included consolidation of ...
    QualServ completes restructuring Kansas City Business Journal Bizjournals.com
    all 11 news articles
    debt consolidation - Google News

    Getting Your Best Deal on a Consolidation Loan

    If you find yourself having to make too many payments... Read More

    Debt Consolidation: Reduce Your Monthly Debt Payments Now

    Debt consolidation is frequently becoming a very familiar term used... Read More

    Debt consolidation ? More Options for Reducing Credit Card Costs

    Borrowing money against your credit cards has always been among... Read More

    Consolidating Your Government Student Loans

    A Consolidation Loan allows you to combine your federal student... Read More

    Getting a Better Consolidation Loan Secured

    If you're looking for the best way to reduce the... Read More

    Bad Credit Debt Consolidation Loan

    Nowadays, many people can get into a bad credit situation... Read More

    How To Get Rid Of Debt Problems Step 4 -- How To Get Interest On Your Debts Frozen

    The first thing to understand is that there is categorically... Read More

    Avoid Bankruptcy

    The first but definitely not the easiest thought that comes... Read More

    Getting a Debt Consolidation Loan with Bad Credit

    If you've ever tried to get a debt consolidation loan... Read More

    The Pros and Cons of Debt Consolidation Loans

    You are swimming in debt. You have 4 credit cards... Read More

    Credit Cards Debt Consolidation

    Consolidating credit card debt is never easy. Too often people... Read More

    Debt Consolidation when You Find Yourself Overwhelmed with Bills, Bills, and More Bills

    Many of us find ourselves overwhelmed with bills, bills, bills.... Read More

    Dangerous Debt Consolidation Loans

    On the surface, debt consolidation loans offer cash-strapped consumers some... Read More

    Online Debt Consolidation ? Devising Newer Ways for Changing Consumer Trends

    Consumers today are getting wiser by the day. They are... Read More

    Cheap Debt Consolidation Loans - Inexpensive Way of Winning Financial Freedom

    The rising cost of living can force you sometimes to... Read More

    Debt Consolidation can Ruin Your Credit

    Yes, Debt Cosolidation isn't a good idea and I'll tell... Read More

    What You Need to Know About Debt Consolidation Loans UK

    Should you find yourself over your head in debt, you... Read More

    Are You Buried In Debt?

    Are you having a problem paying your bills? Are you... Read More

    Guide to Debt Consolidation Loans

    Here is a useful guide to Debt Consolidation Loans. A... Read More

    Debt Consolidation: How it Works

    As long as consumerism flourishes most of us will be... Read More

    Debt Consolidation - Free Information About Consolidating Debt

    Millions of consumers across the globe are searching for a... Read More

    Get Out of Debt

    It is said that a pet tiger cub can become... Read More

    Vultures and Victims

    Has anyone noticed how many loan companies now fill up... Read More

    Debt Consolidation Solution

    Debt Consolidation is a solution that solves your debts. Debt... Read More

    Debt Consolidation - Is It Really The Best Option For You?

    It is a very common question that people pose to... Read More