If you are struggling with debt, you will find that there are a number of benefits from talking to an experienced credit counselor. They will not be surprised by your situation. You may be nervous about speaking to friends/colleagues about your debt problems for fear that they will judge you a foolish person or that your secret will be passed on to other people. A debt worker will have undoubtedly seen your problems before and will be bound by a confidentiality agreement. You will therefore be able to discuss your debt problems with them in a non-judgmental and confidential atmosphere.

The most important attribute that a credit counselor brings is their detailed knowledge of debt law and (almost more importantly) current normal practice in debt relief procedures. If they take on your case and represent you to your creditors they will do so on a more level playing field than you would be able to do on your own. They are also often able to speak to departments within the creditor organizations that only deal with debt advisors. These departments will often have a much wider authority to agree to debt relief solutions than the departments that individual consumers are able to speak to.

The reason why creditors are more receptive to credit counselors is because of trust. They are told all the time by consumers that they are unable to pay, but often suspect that they are being misled. If a reputable debt advisor has taken on your case, looked at your budget, and is telling the creditor that their client cannot pay - they are more likely to believe this. They also know that the intimidation tactics that some collection agents will employ against debtors simply don’t faze credit counselors.

Credit counselors are professionals who have good, working relationships with many of the biggest creditors in the nation, and they are on your side.