Your money is important. It is something that dictates so much of your life. For this reason, you don’t want it in the hands of just anyone. You want it in the hands of someone who is experienced, trusted, and someone who makes you feel comfortable.

This makes choosing a credit counselor something that can’t be done lightly. There are questions you need to ask before signing on the proverbial dotted line. Consider looking for the following:

A Range of Services: A company that includes a range of services will benefit you far more than a company with only two or three things to offer. Budget counseling, savings and debt management, and meetings with trained counselors are all services that you can utilize to your advantage, now and in the future.

A License: You probably wouldn’t trust your medical health to an unlicensed doctor, and you shouldn’t trust your finances to an unlicensed credit counselor. Many states require that companies received a license before they can offer credit counseling, debt management, or any similar service. Don’t go with an organization unless they’ve fulfilled this requirement.

Qualifications: It might seem as if anyone who knows how to balance a checkbook can offer advice on money problems, but this isn’t the case. You’ll want to stay away from companies with counselors who are unqualified, unaccredited, or inexperienced.

Along these lines, it’s best to go with an organization whose counselors obtained training through an outside source not affiliated with creditors. You want counselors who are objective and who have only your best interest in mind.

Do Research: Once you find a credit counseling agency who fits your needs, it’s best to do a little research and make certain they are as legit as they appear. By investigating them through the Attorney General, Better Business Bureau, and consumer protection agencies you’ll be able to weed out the bad companies, and place your confidence in the good ones.

Get it in Writing: Ah, the quote. For many, it’s the moment of truth and the deciding factor in whether or not you can actually afford to go with a certain company. But, don’t take an oral quote as a contractual obligation: get it in writing.

If you come across a company who refuses to provide a quote as a written contract - one who wants you to commit over the phone in order to take them up on their “once in a lifetime offer” - move onto the next organization.

It’s also important to make sure that the amount your quoted takes into consideration all fees and leaves no detail omitted.
Remember to never agree to anything until you’ve read all the documents: the fine print is often only “fine” for those who wrote it.

Don’t Work With Those who Won’t Work With You: If a company is too expensive, and unwilling to waive their fees to work with you, take your business elsewhere. There is a company out there who is willing to meet your needs.

A lot of credit counseling agencies are “non-profit,” but keep in mind that doesn’t mean they are synonymous with “affordable.” Even non-profit companies can have someone looking to make a little dough on the side.

Make Sure They’re Attentive: There’s nothing quite as annoying as offering your business to someone and being ignored: any company that doesn’t offer you their full attention deserves to be dismissed.

Likewise, it’s important to avoid companies that pressure you into quick or rash decisions. Instead, look for companies that are receptive, open, and, above all, willing to listen to what you need and what you want.

Ask How they Get Paid: Let’s face it: credit counselors don’t work for free. They are making money somehow. In order to protect yourself, ask the organization how it is they get paid.

Some employees might receive a commission on certain services you purchase, others might receive commission from creditors. No matter how they are compensated, a company should be willing to tell you. If they aren’t, go somewhere else.

Make Sure They are Secure: Credit counseling agencies deal with one of your most private matters: your finances. When it comes to finances, there can never be too much security.

Do not agree to go with a company until you are assured that things like your checking account numbers, your social security number, and your credit card number are all safe. If a company doesn’t have safeguards in place, you might not be protected from financial catastrophe.

Finding a good credit counseling company is essential to making credit counseling work for you. Internet research can help get you pointed in the right direction, but when it comes down to it, speaking with an organization and asking the right questions will be the determining factor. In the end, it’s important to put credence where credence is due: if your instincts are telling you that a company is a good fit, it probably is.