You've Got Questions, We've Got Answers

1. Why should I use Crisis Credit Counseling?
2. If I miss my monthly payment, will I be dropped from the program?
3. How do I find out about the progress of my debt management program?
4. Will I still pay my creditors directly while in the debt management program?
5. Can I still participate in the program if I have a flexible monthly income?
6. How long will it take me to complete the program and be debt free?
7. Does Crisis Credit Counseling keep my financial information private and confidential?
8. Why will creditors lower my interest rates for you?
9. Why shouldn't I file for bankruptcy?
10. Do I have to give up all my credit cards?
11. Can I still use my credit cards?
12. Do I have to put all of my creditors on your program?
13. How does your program affect my credit report?
14. What exactly is unsecured debt?
15. When will my first payment be due?
16. Can you help if I am being charged late fees and if I'm past due on my accounts?
17. Will I continue to get phone calls and collection letters from my creditors?
18. Must I remain on the program until I am debt free?
19. Can I add more accounts after I'm enrolled?
20. Do you work in all States?

1. Question: Why should I use Crisis Credit Counseling?

   Answer: Our commitment to you is to renegotiate your unsecured debt using proven, effective techniques that provides not only real financial relief, but real peace of mind. In fact, our professional team of credit specialists can reduce your unsecured debt by up to 70% over other methods! You’ll feel better knowing that Crisis Credit Counseling is working for you.

2. Question: If I miss my monthly payment, will I be dropped from the program?

   Answer: No. Simply call the customer service department and they will re-structure your plan to bring you current.

3. Question: How do I find out about the progress of my debt management program?

   Answer: You can customer service at 800-218-0157, Monday through Friday from 8a.m. to 7 p.m. PST to speak with a representative. They are available to answer your questions or concerns.

4. Question: Will I still pay my creditors directly while in the debt management program?

   Answer: No. Upon enrollment, you will stop paying your creditors, however, you may be asked to make one final payment to them. Your monthly payment will be disbursed to your creditors by the debt management company you are enrolled with.

5. Question: Can I still participate in the program if I have a flexible monthly income?

   Answer: Yes. All fees and payment schedules are on a client-by-client basis. We will set you up a payment plan that is convenient and affordable for your unique situation.

6. Question: How long will it take me to complete the program and be debt free?

   Answer: The length of your Debt Management Program will be determined by you depending on your unique situation. It all depends on what monthly payment amount will be comfortable for you and how soon you are looking to get out of debt. One of the advantages of the debt management program at Crisis Debt Management is that there are no pre-payment penalties. If you want to pay more than your regularly scheduled payment amount you can, by doing this you will simply be done with the program sooner and debt-free that much faster.

7. Question: Does Crisis Credit Counseling keep my financial information private and confidential?

   Answer: Yes. All your financial information will be kept confidential. Only people authorized by you will have access to your debt reduction account. Creditors will only be informed that we are assisting you with your finances. In addition, we do not report to the Credit Bureau's so you don't have to worry about other creditors learning that you are being assisted with your unsecured debts.

8. Question: Why will creditors lower my interest rates for you?

   Answer: Creditors realize that we are many times the last resort for many people and they would prefer not assigning the account to the collection agency. They also realize that we work with people on debt management and budgeting. Since you have made a commitment to us, they feel that you are a better candidate to make monthly payments to us as opposed to filing bankruptcy. We also eliminate an awful lot of paperwork for the creditors and they appreciate that.

9. Question: Why shouldn't I file for bankruptcy?

   Answer: Most people file bankruptcy to escape bill collectors. At Crisis Credit Counseling, we offer a safe and sound alternative to bankruptcy that will result in improving your credit rating. As with most people interviewed, surveys show most people would rather not file bankruptcy. By enrolling in one of our debt management program, our satisfied customers are able to avoid the bankruptcy mistake.

10. Question: Do I have to give up all my credit cards?

    Answer: No. In most circumstances you only have to enroll the debts that you want to be reduced.

11. Question: Can I still use my credit cards?

    Answer: Since your creditors know you have a sincere desire to get out of debt, usually the accounts that you have included in your debt management program are either frozen or closed until you are debt free.

12. Question: Do I have to put all of my creditors on your program?

    Answer: No. Unless one of your creditors specifies otherwise as a pre-requisite for acceptance into the program you may include accounts at your own discretion.

13. Question: How does your program affect my credit report?

    Answer: This really depends on the creditor. While most creditors will waive late fees and re-age your account, it is important to consider this as an extra incentive to work with a debt management company especially when you are behind in payments. Some creditors will make a notation on your credit report such as "Managed by Credit Counseling." We do not report to the credit reporting agencies however, it is in the sole discretion of your creditors whether or not they report your credit counseling status, with most credit agencies acknowledging our program is a responsible way of dealing with overextended credit issues.

14. Question: What exactly is unsecured debt?

    Answer: Unsecured debt is when there isn't any collateral securing the debt. For example, an unsecured debt is usually in the form of: credit cards, department store cards, medical bills, and gas cards. No form of collateral such as a home or car was utilized to secure the "loan" for services rendered or goods received. With a secured loan, and as a precaution against "default" (non payment) what is used as "collateral" for the loan could be liquidated.

15. Question: When will my first payment be due?

    Answer: When you enroll in our debt management program, you chose the payment date that will work best for you. You may choose any day from the 1st to the 30th of every month, keeping in mind that your first payment will be due within the first 30 days after enrollment.

16. Question: Can you help if I am being charged late fees and if I'm past due on my accounts?

    Answer: Most creditors will waive late fees, over limit fees and will bring your accounts current. Most creditors will also re-age your account (showing no behind payments are due) once enrolled in the program.

17. Question: Will I continue to get phone calls and collection letters from my creditors?

    Answer: Most creditors will stop collection activity once they receive the first payment.

18. Question: Must I remain on the program until I am debt free?

    Answer: No. You are only enrolled in our affiliates program for as long as you want to be. You may terminate the plan at any time for any reason.

19. Question: Can I add more accounts after I'm enrolled?

    Answer: Yes. To add an additional account, contact our customer service department with the account information. You may also send the account information by Contact Us 

20. Question: Do you work in all States?

    Answer: No We work in all states except the following Arkansas, Connecticut, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Wyoming.