- 1). Take a very honest look at your own credit. Go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com to get a free report. Look at all of your accounts and their corresponding payment history. You must add up all bills, look at all delinquencies and judgments and calculate your net worth--the value of all assets after subtracting all debts. This can be humbling.
- 2). Start your search at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). There are reputable credit counseling firms, and the U.S. Trustee Program (a division of the DOJ) vets all credit counseling firms for their ethics and reputation. See the Resource section for a list of approved counseling programs.
- 3). Review credit counselors with the two major trade associations: The National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Association of Independent Credit Counseling Agencies (see Resource section). These associations allow only ethical and responsible firms into their organizations.
- 4). Contact your local division of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This agency regulates all consumer finance, credit and counseling help in the U.S. An agent can direct you to the complaint department and can also recommend legal services providers in your area.
- 5). Speak with your trusted advisors and friends. Use your connections to get legal referrals. Speak with your work colleagues, family members and friends. These recommendations will likely prove the most fruitful since they are personal recommendations.
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