How to Get Free Credit Counseling in Pennsylvania

Find Pennsylvania Nonprofit Credit Counseling Agencies

Being in debt can be stressful but making sure that you find a good credit counseling organization is essential to helping you get out of debt. You should know the difference between nonprofit and for-profit credit counseling organizations. Nonprofit credit counseling agencies don’t charge a fee for the initial session while a for-profit may. To start,carefully, choose a Pennsylvania credit counselor by doing some research beforehand. There are many untrustworthy companies that claim to help people get out of debt. If you notice any red flags, choose a different company. Any reputable credit counseling agency will send you free information if you ask. If any company tries to charge you for an initial session, go somewhere else. Credit counseling agencies do not usually charge for the initial session. You can start off on a good foot by making sure that the credit counseling company you choose is accredited by the NFCC (National Foundation for Credit Counseling). This will ensure that the company you are dealing with is reputable. You should also check the Federal Trade Commission website which provides information to help you choose a qualified Pennsylvania credit counselor to ensure  you are receiving good advice. 

Information to Research Before Talking to a Pennsylvania Credit Counseling Agency

If you want to learn more about accredited counseling services, visit the  National Foundation for Credit Counseling. There you will find a list of  Pennsylvania credit counselors that can help you get out of debt. Make sure to vet the credit counseling agency you are thinking of choosing carefully to ensure that they are qualified and meet your specific needs. One way of finding out if there are any complaints against the company you want to hire is by checking with your state's attorney general’s office. Your state’s attorney general’s office will keep a record of all businesses that are licensed in the state to do business. Moreover, they will keep a file of any complaints filed against the credit counseling organization. The Better Business Bureau (BBB)  is also another helpful place to look up any Pennsylvania credit counseling agency you may use to determine if people who have used them in the past have been satisfied. 

Questions to Ask the Pennsylvania Credit Counselor Before Signing Up

It’s always good to be cautious before you move ahead with a Pennsylvania credit counselor. Remember, you are hiring this counselor to work for you so, have a list of questions ready to ask your credit counselor before you hire them to ensure they are experienced. Asking all of the right questions upfront can save you a lot of headaches later. Some questions to ask your Pennsylvania credit counselor are: 

• How much will this cost? 

• How long have you been doing business in Pennsylvania?

• How do you get paid? 

• How will my privacy be protected?

• How long will this process take?

• Are there any hidden fees?

• What kind of qualifications do you have?

• How is the amount of my payment determined?

• How often will I get a status update?

• How are your services funded? 

• What documents will I need to get started?

Be skeptical of any company that promises to get rid of all of your debt quickly and requests large fees upfront. You should also find out if your  Pennsylvania credit counselor will be working with you over the phone,  online, or in person.

What to Expect During Credit Counseling?

Pennsylvania credit counselors will look through your specific financial situation by going through your debt, income and expenses, and your property. Don’t feel overwhelmed about getting your financial documents together if you have any questions you can always ask your Pennsylvania credit counselor for help. You will also need to provide them with your basic information so that they can pull a credit report, and review your credit score with you. Have your financial documents such as you’re: income, monthly expenses, debt, and tax returns. If you’re married, your spouse does not have to be present for your counseling session; however, it may be best to have them there so you can work together to better your financial situation. Once they get a complete picture of what your finances look like, the credit counselor will provide you with some recommendations to help your financial needs. Some of these recommendations may include debt management plans, budgeting, and bankruptcy. Your initial credit counseling session will probably last about an hour.

What Happens After Credit Counseling in Pennsylvania?

After evaluating your financial situation your Pennsylvania credit counselor will recommend a course of action to tackle your debt. Your counselor may recommend more than one option to you in case one fails. Take note that some of these courses of action may come with fees. Below are some of the most common debt relief solutions that a credit counselor may recommend.