When it comes to debt settlement, it almost seems as if there is a company around every corner. The amount of companies to choose from can be overwhelming and confusing and leave you running in circles. But, picking the right company is essential in having debt settlement work for you.

A tip or two may be really all you need: knowing a few tricks of the trade can make choosing a company simple, clear, and hassle free.

Before you hire just anyone, consider the following:

Watch out For High Pressure Sales: Using the Internet as a medium, many debt companies often play a game: they offer lucrative debt settlement that is complex, confusing, and, above all, too good to be true.

Instead of falling for one of these offers, look around, research, and understand what you really want and need out of a company. More than anything, stay away from any debt company that pushes its product like a used car salesman: remember things that seem too good to be true usually are.

Don’t Pay Upfront Fees: Any debt settlement company that asks you for an up front fee is a company you want to avoid. Similarly, any debt company that asks for a maintenance fee is waving a bright red flag. Instead, look for a debt settlement company that takes fees on a month to month basis, without upfront or maintenance costs.

Learn How Much they Charge: A debt settlement company charges for their time and resources to negotiate and reduce the burden of your debt. If a company charges an outrageous amount, or one that simply seems ridiculous for the amount of debt you are in, shop around to find a cheaper one.

Joining an expensive debt program can mean expensive monthly dues. If you can’t afford the program, paying the dues only leaves you in more debt, further perpetuating your problem.  So, remember that it’s important to choose a program that’s both affordable and realistic.

Find a Company that is Listed with the BBB: Ideally, no patron should solicit a service from any kind of company without making sure they are in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. The Better Business Bureau, or BBB, only endorses companies they feel enforce ethical and honorable conduct. If you find a debt settlement company in poor standing with the BBB, chances are that company isn’t honest, isn’t professional, and isn’t worthy of your time.

Something else worth considering is whether or not the debt settlement company is accredited by The Association of Settlement Companies, or TASC. Companies with TASC accreditation have been independently evaluated by a third party for competence and performance capabilities. Thus, going with a TASC accredited company not only reduces your risk, but it increases your confidence.

Both the BBB and TASC aim to protect one thing: you.

Get Feedback: There may be no better way to find out the efficiency of a company than be simply asking those who have been there, done that. Ask friends, colleagues, relatives, associates, and anyone else you may know if they’ve ever used a debt settlement company: if they have, ask them to provide advice and insight.

Form a Relationship: When it comes to choosing a debt settlement company, the most important factor may be the most simple: finding someone you can trust.

You will have the greatest success in resolving your financial difficulties if you find a professional firm with whom you feel comfortable, at ease, and in good hands.

A good working relationship with your debt mediator is essential. Not only does trusting your debt mediator instill confidence in yourself, but it also allows them to do the best job possible. You must find someone you can speak freely with about your finances. If your gut is telling you a company is the wrong choice, you should probably move on to a company your gut approves of.

Look for Experience: It’s a truth of life that the greatest teacher of all is experience. You wouldn’t go to an inexperienced surgeon for an appendectomy and you certainly don’t want to go to an inexperienced debt settlement company either.

Debt settlement companies work better than settling debt on your own because they know the laws, the creditors, and the art of negotiation. In order to know all this, they need experience.

Beware of the Promises: We’ve all seen the commercials: a down-on-her-luck middle aged woman is in debt for $72,000. After signing on with a debt settlement company, she ends up only having to pay ten dollars and forty two cents. It’s a miracle, or a scam. This is the kind of thing you need to beware of.

Now, debt settlement companies do get your creditors to settle for a decreased sum, but any debt company that promises it can get your debt down to a certain percentage, or one that swears you will only have to pay a certain amount, is making empty promises.

Good debt settlement companies can surprise you, and even themselves, by making a ton of your debt disappear. But, until the process begins, there is no way they will know what repayment amount your creditors will agree to. Thus, it’s important to stay away from any company that makes promises up front.

Yet, on the flip side, there is one promise you do want. A good debt settlement company will guarantee that if they can’t get you a settlement on a particular account, they will reimburse you for the service fee on that bill. Look for companies that promise this, not those that promise miracles.

Watch out for Dishonesty: Dishonesty doesn’t belong in business practices, particularly where YOUR money is concerned. Unfortunately, some debt companies toss truth out the window, opting instead to tell you that they will quickly amend your debt problems without any affect on your credit score.

Upon enrolling in a debt settlement program, your credit score will probably get worse before it gets better. But, once your debt is paid off, your credit will start to improve. A few hits on your credit score is nothing compared to remaining in overwhelming debt or claiming bankruptcy. It is a necessary, and short-lived, evil.

Make Sure They Answer All Your Questions: Any company that refuses to answer your questions, avoids you, or refuses to allow you to speak to an actual person, probably has something to hide. Likewise, any company that gives you round-about answers or goes off on complicated tangents is most likely a company not focused on honesty.

Before hiring a company, write down the questions you want answered. Some examples may include, “What percentage of your clients’ accounts actually settle?,” “What is your client retention rate?”, “Can I see some sample settlement letters?,” and “How long have you been in the industry?” If they won’t answer your questions, don’t give them your business.

Picking a debt settlement company can be complicated. But, the above tips can serve as a guideline to simplify the process and help you choose the debt settlement company that is best for you.