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Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern New England (CCCS) advises consumers to exercise
caution when seeking debt relief. In addition to checking a credit counseling or debt management
organization's credibility with the Better Business Bureau, CCCS advises consumers to ask such
organizations the following questions before entrusting them with their financial future:
- Is the agency accredited by a reputable third-party organization
- Does the organization certify the agency's services are quality and in the consumers' best interest?
- Are they nonprofit?
- Have their counselors passed a certification examination?
- Are they affiliated with a national organization like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) to help assure they maintain quality standards and good customer service?
- How long has the company been in business?
- What is their track record of client success?
- How are client funds collected and disbursed to creditors?
- What policies are in place to assure protection of client funds?
- Are clients fully credited for all and full payments to creditors?
- What fees does the agency charge?
- Do they fully disclose their fees and services up front?
- Will they work with all creditors, regardless of whether they are financially supporting the organization?
- Is counseling offered in person, by telephone and online? Does the consumer have a choice?
- Does the agency provide financial management or budget counseling in addition to debt management services? Does the consumer have a choice of service?
- After enrolling in a debt management plan, are customer service representatives available to help clients?
- How will working with the organization impact the clients? credit?
CCCS is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization with offices in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
CCCS is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, Inc. and is a
member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). As an NFCC member, CCCS meets the high
standards for agency accreditation, counselor certification and policies that ensure free or low-cost
confidential services. CCCS offers counseling in person at 25 offices in the tri-state area, over the
phone at 1-800-208-CCCS (2227), and online at www.creditcounseling.org.
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