Friday, August 8, 2008

Five Ways to Find Debt Consolidation Help

Are you unable to pay your arrears on time? Are you trying to find debt consolidation help? Do you find it difficult to keep track of your multiple liabilities? If so, then this may be the solution to your problems.

The Concept

Debt consolidation refers to the replacement of multiple liabilities, each with a different rate of interest, with one debt that is availed at a lower interest rate. Usually, you would approach a financial institution to consolidate the debt. They would take over the liabilities either by charging a monthly fee for their services or by offering you a secured or unsecured loan. They would then analyze your financial position and arrive at the amount of money that you can afford to pay as installment. They would negotiate with your creditors to reduce the payment due. Normally, they can get the late fees and penalties waived.

Sources To Find Debt Help

  1. Local Financial Institutions: The local banks and finance agencies that already have a relationship with you are likely to provide you with a good arrangement.
  2. Other Private Financial Institutions: These institutions will be eager to get business from you and so will try to give you a fair deal.
  3. Government Organizations: There are many government organizations that would help to consolidate your debt. They are trustworthy and may even give free debt consolidation help.
  4. Mailers: Companies sending mailers would be keen to offer their services to you. So you could get into a good agreement with them.
  5. On The Internet: This is a popular method to get help services both in general and bad credit debt help in particular. You could use a search engine like Google, Yahoo or Live and search using terms such as "debt consolidation" or "debt management". In each case, you will get hundreds of hits, so you would need to bring down the selection to a few companies.

Certain precautions should be taken irrespective of which method you use to find debt consolidation help. They are mentioned below:

  • Get quotes from a few institutions so as to make sure that you get the best deal.

  • Once you decide upon the finance agency with which you will consolidate your debt, investigate to confirm that it is a legitimate organization.

  • Check with Better Business Bureau whether any complaints have been registered against the organization.

  • If you are availing the services of debt consolidation for free, make sure that it is really for free. There should not be any ambiguous terms in the contract. If the organization is taking a fee or interest, make sure that these points are stated clearly.
  •