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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Credit Counseling Session?

A Credit Counseling Session is an overview of you total financial situation. It can be done on the telephone or in person. During this session, a certified counselor will review all of you income, expenses and debts. At the conclusion of this comprehensive session, the credit counselor will make recommendations to help you get back on track financially (one of which may be a debt management program). For additional information about our credit counseling services, click here.

How long does the credit counseling session take?

The average credit counseling session will last about one hour. This may vary depending on your specific situation. Beware of agencies that claim they can help you get rid of your debt in 15 minutes or less. These types of agencies may be trying to push you into their program without providing the full benefits of a credit counseling session.

What is a Debt Management Program?

A Debt Management Program is a payment plan between you, Advantage Credit Counseling Service, and your unsecured creditors. In this plan, creditors agree to offer special concessions to help you get out of debt. These concessions may include reducing your interest rates and stopping late and over-limit fees. This plan can reduce the months or years of repayment. For additional information about our debt management program, click here.

What are the benefits of a debt management program?

Benefits of the debt management program include:

Lower interest rates
Elimination of late and over limit fees
End to collection calls
One simple monthly payment
Debt free in 3 to 5 years
An alternative to Bankruptcy

I'm only a little behind on my bills, can you still help me?
Yes, creditors will respect the fact that you've taken responsibility early and are attempting to resolve the problem before it becomes a major concern. In fact, catching the problem early can prevent further harm to your credit rating.

How long will it take to pay off my debts?
On your own it may take ten or more years to pay off average debt amounts when making only minimum payments. Advantage Credit Counseling Service can devise a debt management plan to significantly reduce or eliminate most unsecured debt within three to five years.

Can you loan me money?
No. ACCS is a non-profit credit counseling service company. We are not a finance company or loan service. We provide credit counseling and if appropriate a debt management program.

How many creditors can be on the debt management program?
Our program includes any unsecured creditor that agrees to participate in the debt management plan.

Is there a minimum amount of debt required?

No. We are here to help you no matter how much or how little debt you have. Watch out for agencies that require a minimum amount of debt before they will work with you.

What kind of debts can you help me reduce?
Our debt management program will help you to reduce or eliminate debts created by major credit cards, retail store and gas cards, unsecured personal loans, medical bills and collection accounts.

Will I still be able to use my credit cards?
No. You can not make a commitment to getting out of debt and incur new debt at the same time. Also, your creditors that participate in the Debt Management Plan (DMP) may close your accounts.

Is there a cost for this service?

Our credit counseling sessions are free. Consumers that participate in our debt management program are asked for a one-time setup fee of $45 and a monthly maintenance fee between $5 and $35 per month (depending on the number of creditors). In some circumstances these costs may be waived. These fees are used to help defray the costs of administering the debt management program and to provide quality customer service to our clients.

Will you help me file bankruptcy?
No. Bankruptcy is a legal process and you should seek assistance from a bankruptcy attorney. Under the new bankruptcy law, consumers are required to complete a pre-filing bankruptcy counseling session. Before a bankruptcy can be discharged, consumers must complete a pre-discharge education class. Certificates are issued upon completion of each. Advantage Credit Counseling Service is approved to provide counseling in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and West Virginia and education in Pennsylvania only at this time.

Will your service affect my credit report?
Most creditors acknowledge and appreciate that you have taken steps to eliminate your debt. Some may flag your credit report as being managed by a credit counseling service. This will not negatively affect your credit score. Advantage Credit Counseling Service is not required and does not notify credit bureaus about your accounts.

Are you able to provide credit counseling in my state?

Advantage Credit Counseling is licensed to do business in the following states:

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Kentucky
Louisiana
Nevada
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Washington
West Virginia
Wyoming

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