Finding a Credit Counselor
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Choosing a Credit Counselor
There are many credit-counseling agencies today, many with national advertising campaigns. Finding the right agency can be a challenge, but it is an important process for long-term success on the program.

How can you find credit-counseling agencies?

• yellow pages
• credit counseling trade associations:
Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA)
http://www.aiccca.org
800-450-1794
National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC)
http://www.nfcc.org
800-388-2227

• ads on television, radio, magazines
• Internet search—search for keywords like "debt management" and "credit counseling"
• other Internet ads

Choose a Certified Company
There are two types of certification in the credit-counseling industry. Any organization you choose should be certified by one or the other.

1. The Council on Accreditation (COA) is an international, independent, not-for-profit, child- and family-service and behavioral healthcare accrediting organization. Founded in 1977 by the Child Welfare League of America and Family Service America, COA promotes standards; champions quality services for children, youth, and families; and advocates for the value of accreditation. In 2005, COA accredited or was in the process of accrediting more than 1,500 private and public organizations that serve more than seven million individuals and families in the United States and Canada.



2. ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certification is a new requirement of some agencies by the creditors. Industry standards now require agencies to meet strict guidelines, and perform an annual audit to maintain their ISO certificate. Ask the agency if they are ISO certified. If there's any question about their certification, ask them to send or fax proof of their certificate.

Ask About Agency's Track Record—Memberships
Looking at memberships and certifications is a good place to start. It shows compliance with basic industry standards and may help reveal the agency's track record.

Check With the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Look at the agency's Web site or ask via telephone if they are a member of the BBB and if so, which chapter (it may not be your local BBB).

Check Status of Trade Association Membership
An agency should be a member of AICCCA, http://www.aiccca.org, Phone: 800-450-1794, or NFCC, http://www.nfcc.org, Phone: 800-388-2227. You can check their status by calling the association or going to their Web site.

What About a State License?
Many states do not require agencies to be licensed if they are a nonprofit and charge either no or low fees. There are a few states that do require a license. You can check with your state's Division of Banking to see your state requires a license. If so, be sure the agency is licensed . Be sure to clarify if the agency is exempt from licensure because they are nonprofit or do not charge fees.

Nonprofit Agencies
If you are suspicious, you can ask for proof in their 501(c)3 letter of determination from the IRS.

UMUC Alumni Association
The University of Maryland University College (UMUC) has partnered with Clarion Credit Management to help current and former students in their financial well being. Contact them at 800-547-2258 or www.clarioncredit.com