Are there any decent debt consolidation companies out there?

[Systematic Chaos]

I'm curious about the possibility of consolidating all of my high-intrest debts into a single loan with a much lower intrest rate. I plan to close all but a couple of my existing accounts, anyway, but it would be nice to soften the gouging effect while I'm paying them down.

Naturally, I'm very leary of all of these online sites I'm visiting, since most of them want a LOT of information, then they inform you that they're planning to bombard you with all kinds of spam, junk mail, phone calls and who the hell knows what else. So, before I try anything like this, I would like to hear from my fellow DU'ers just what are the right - and wrong - places to check with.

Thank you for your time and assistance! :)

[minkyboodle]

1. kick

as I would love some info on this as well

[Systematic Chaos]

2. Good. I hope someone can help both of us then!

re- :kick:

[patriotvoice]

3. Harbour Financial

http://www.40debts.org/

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bratcatinok]

5. The oldest, original and most respected

is Consumer Credit Counseling Service or CCCS. They've been around for close to 50 years. Years ago (25), I worked for Exxon in their credit card division. If we ran into a customer having problems paying their bills we would refer the customer to CCCS.

As a mortgage banker if you completed your agreement with CCCS, it wouldn't be held against you since it showed you were responsible enough to realize when you were in trouble and to take steps to rectify it.

I don't work for and have never worked for CCCS. I am only reporting my experience as a creditor and a credit grantor with CCCS.

[Spinzonner]

6. You might also look into books on debt management

including Nolo Press (www.nolo.com)

There may be effective alternatives and, at least, some education on choices and consequences.

[FloridaPat]

7. I got into a company where I eliminate my credit card debt - no

bankruptcy, no payments, and end up with a clean credit report. I decided that since the banks are sending jobs overseas, and I am unemployed for long periods of time because of jobs going overseas, I decided to make the banks - who are part of the problem - part of the solution. If anyone wants details, let me know.

One thing I cannot stress enough - do not refinance your house to pay off your credit card debt. You will be in worse shape than you are now.