• Credit counseling services can help consolidate your debt, saving you hundreds of dollars.Bills 1 image by Big R from Fotolia.com
  
  Whether you lose your job, experience a divorce or just are unable to budget yourself, there are personal experiences in life that can put you in a financial crisis. When you have bills coming in and are unable to pay them, avoiding the problem will make the situation worse. If you are not able to obtain a loan to consolidate your debt, consider consumer credit counseling. Because there are individuals and companies that will try to take advantage of your situation, it is best that you know how to choose a consumer credit counseling service.
  
  

Ask What Companies are Best

• When you are already facing financial hardship, the last thing you need is to manage your debt through a credit consumer counseling service that charges enormous registration and monthly fees. Legitimate credit consumer counseling companies will not charge you to give you a quote on consolidating your debt. However, these companies may charge a fee because they are also in business to profit. Ask your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers if they have ever used the company you are considering and how well they liked the service. You may also opt to check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure the company is legitimate and has little complaints. You can visit the Better Business Bureau online at www.bbb.org.
  
  

Do Not Give Out Personal Information

• Credit consumer counseling agencies do not need your personal information, such as your Social Security number or date or birth, to give you a quote. There are numerous people that prey upon people in need to steal their identity and ruin their good name and credit. To get a quote, you will only need to provide the company with your creditor's names and addresses, as well as balances on the accounts, interest rate, and monthly payment amount. Giving personal information to someone over the phone who you do not know is legitimate could compromise your identity.
  
  

Beware of Outrageous Fees

• Some companies will try to take advantage of the situation and charge you outrageous fees. Anything over $50 for a consultation or monthly fee is an excessive charge. You should seek other consumer credit counseling services first to compare any consultation and monthly fees before you sign a contract to consolidate your debt.