Get Out Of Debt

If you’ve thought about settling your financial problems once and for all and living a debt free life, debt relief through debt counseling is a viable choice that will have you back on your feet in no time.

Your first step to finding a good counseling agency is to make sure they’re a member of National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Association of Independent Credit Counseling Agencies. Make sure to check out their background with Better Business Bureau and see if they’ve received any complaints from past customers. There have been cases where consumers ended up with more debt after counseling or they were dragged into a lengthy debt management plan when the alternative could have been something as simple as a workable budget.

You can also check with your state attorney general’s office to see if there are any pending legal investigations against them. Be cautious of agencies that claim they’re non-profit, as most of these could “persuade” you to make a donation to their cause or charge hidden fees. Offering their services for free doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll do a good job for you.

A strong counselor will carefully analyze your financial situation and then present you with your the best option for debt relief. They can re-negotiate loan terms and interest rates with your creditors, and will openly discuss their fees with you or tell you more about the services they offer. Be wary of counselors that rush their decisions or that pressure you into quick decisions. You will only end up in more debt than when you started.
Whether through debt management plans or something just as simple as financial advice, a good debt counselor can help you a great deal with your debt difficulties.

Many people will be surprised by the fact that buying diamonds online is at times, much safer than buying them from a store. Pushy salespeople make is extremely difficult and annoying to make an informed decision of buying diamonds as this decision requires time and thought. However, shopping at malls for diamonds makes it almost impossible to think straight and more often than not your opinion gets biased by the gimmicky sales pitch diamond sellers deliver to you. All you need for buying diamonds on the internet is a computer with an internet connection, a credit card and basic knowledge about diamonds.

Certifications are extremely important to understand when you are buying diamonds. For buying diamonds online, it will help if you learn abbreviations that are commonly used in diamond trade. AGS and GIA certifications are very common. AGS stands for American Gem Society that authorizes wholesalers and retailers to attest a diamonds quality. GIA stands for Geological Institute of America that provides more or less the same service. This quality assured by these certifications determines what you should be paying for a certain kind of diamond. Look for diamond wholesalers and retailers that have a high ranking online. Go for companies that have a sizeable inventory. There are different websites where you can check for the reputation of a certain vendor like Better Business Bureau.

Before you purchase, always compare and contrast diamonds and prices offered by different vendors. Certification documentation should be the most critical consideration. You can also categorize your search by carat weight, color, cut and clarity. Shortlist several diamonds that you like and compare them again. Check the price competitiveness for each diamond after you have made sure they are authentic. There is a Price Scope website especially available for this purpose; you submit your diamond information and you will receive a quotation of the average cost of such a diamond.

After ensuring the authenticity of the diamond and reputation of the vendor, do one last check on the vendors return policy. Most of the time, the return policy of such high end gems includes the right to return if the appraiser fails to verify the certifications of the diamond hence do take your diamonds to an independent appraiser as soon as they arrive. Advantages of buying diamonds online include you lower prices as diamond dealers online do not have as much overhead costs as physical stores do. The selection offered online is much more elaborate and it is easy and convenient for you to search through them. You can take your time making the decision without overly persuasive sales person tainting your judgment. The best advantage of all is that you can buy diamonds that are tax free; if you are buying a diamond not from your state or province then it cannot be taxed. With the internet, you have an access to a nationwide market place.

Consumers struggling with a high debt burden are reminded that research is required before enrolling in any debt relief program. While there are hundreds of legitimate companies that can help individuals eliminate their debt, there are also plenty of scams circulating within the industry which should be avoided. Before enrolling in any program it is important to investigate the company and the process they claim to use to eliminate debt. Here we are going to take a closer look at a potential scam that has cost some consumers hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

What is the National Debt Relief Program Scam?

It appears many consumers have received a letter in the mail claiming to be from the National Debt Relief Program. Victims of this scam have stated the letter at first glance appears to be from a government agency. Upon closer inspection it becomes clear the letter is not from a government agency but rather GHS Solutions, a debt settlement company. Jennifer Wallis is a Consumer Credit Counseling Service employee in central Oklahoma. She has clients who have received this letter which states the National Debt Relief Program can “reduce monthly payments by up to 50 percent”. Why is this letter considered a scam? Since the letter is designed to look like correspondence from a government agency, many consumers fail to realize it is actually from a debt settlement company. The information is misleading and many consumers who are desperate for a solution to their debt problem may enroll in a program that can have serious negative consequences.

GHS Solutions is a debt settlement company based in Delray Beach, Florida. The Better Business Bureau has given the company a F rating and reports 102 consumer complaints in the past three years. Of the 102 total complaints against the company, 88 are about the company agreeing to perform according to their contract.

GHS Solutions is not the only debt settlement company linked to the National Debt Relief Program scam. It appears consumers have also complained about a company named National Debt Relief and the program they offer to consumers. In this instance consumers have actually enrolled in the program and claim the company did not perform as promised. Clients claim National Debt Relief failed to stop collection calls and did not begin negotiating debt immediately. Other complaints claim the company misrepresents itself to appear like a government agency which leads consumers to believe they are working with a government program designed to assist individuals facing financial hardships.

It is important for all consumers to understand what type of debt relief program they are committing to before moving forward. Debt settlement is a legal process where individuals or companies hired on their behalf, negotiate with creditors to reduce delinquent balances in order to eliminate debt. Anyone considering this process must thoroughly research both the method and any company they consider hiring. There are several risks involved in the process however it can be the best option for people facing a serious financial hardship who would otherwise have to look toward bankruptcy to address their debt situation. It is unfortunate that some debt settlement companies continue to mislead or misrepresent themselves in order to enroll clients in their programs. Consumers are urged to carefully read any correspondence as well as contracts prior to enrolling in a debt settlement program to avoid confusion and disappointment down the road.

You finally decided to go for credit card debt settlement instead of filing for bankruptcy with the credit card bills keep building up. Now you face a new dilemma. How do you choose the right debt settlement company with so many in the market?

Here are 5 questions to help you make the choice.

1. What’s the reputation of the company?

The track records of a credit card debt settlement company can speak volume. With the convenience of the internet, it’s easy to search for and review the feedback and comments on a company. You can also consult any relevant consumer and government publications. Better Business Bureau is a good place to start your research.

2. Is the company Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited?

BBB accredited companies must meet certain standards to qualify for accredited business status and to remain an accredited business. The standards are a comprehensive set of best practices for how businesses should treat the public in a fair and honest manner. So a BBB accredited status is an indicator of business integrity.

3. Is the company a member of The Association of Settlement Companies (TASC)?

TASC promotes good practice in the debt settlement industry and protects the interests of consumer debtors. Being a TASC member gives you an assurance that the company meets certain standards of service quality.

4. Are the employees International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA) certified?

An IAPDA member has completed the required training in debt arbitration and knows the legislative rules and regulations of credit card debt settlement. They are the experts in debt settlement and qualified to help you in this area.

5. Does the company make realistic promises and guarantee?

Look out for money back guarantee should the company fail to reach a credit card debt settlement on your behalf. But when the company starts making promises like wiping off your debt overnight or settlement not hampering your credit at all, it’s time you look for another company.

Finding a legitimate credit card debt settlement company can sometimes be difficult. The checklist of 5 questions will help you choose one that suits you. And with their help, you will be on your way to becoming debt free soon.

When you examine your credit card statements it is difficult to imagine the day when you might be totally debt free. The balances never seem to go down because you can only afford to make the minimum payments. Credit counseling may help but if your budget is already stretched too tight there are no words of advice that will help your balance sheet. The way to pay off your debt quicker is to try and reduce it and that is where an excellent debt settlement company can help.

If you search for a debt settlement company with a good track record of working with credit companies to cut the amount of your debt in half, you can pay off those bills in a few years. The key is to find a firm which has the contacts and credentials to help you get some relief. One excellent way to evaluate these companies is by checking with the U.S. chamber of commerce or better business bureau. There are also professional organizations that they should belong to like the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators. When you see the stamp from these organizations on their web sites you know they can be trusted.

Experience is probably the most important factor in choosing a firm to help you reduce your debt. Find a company with professional staff members who have worked all sides of the business. It helps if they have people who have worked for banks or credit card companies in the past. The representative who helps you should also be certified in the debt settlement field.

A number of the debt settlement companies will make claims that they can erase more than half of the unsecured debt that you have but ask them for proof. Find out what they have been able to do for other consumers who were in a similar situation and ask for references. Working with a firm to pay off your debt is a much better alternative to bankruptcy which damages your credit rating for years.