While the debtor and
debt settlement firm work on this together the decision frequently ends up being decided by the creditor who seems to be closest to starting litigation to collect their debt.
Debt settlement firms work like this: a consumer turns over his or her bills to the debt settlement company.
Not exact matches
If we stick with 50 % are then there is this bit, «While this adoption is significant, still, roughly half of the
firms responding to the surveys each of the past two years indicated that they still did not
work with
debt settlement companies as part of their collection strategy.»
But this experience, together with the more recent experience with
debt settlement firms, suggests that there are substantial issues that must be addressed in order for these private mechanisms to
work properly.
In
debt settlement, you — or a
settlement firm working on your behalf — will negotiate with your creditors to have your balances reduced to a level you can pay it off.
«While this adoption is significant, still, roughly half of the
firms responding to the surveys each of the past two years indicated that they still did not
work with
debt settlement companies as part of their collection strategy.»
If your
firm is looking for new ways to recognize real value from collections files, trying to locate or contact consumers motivated to settle their
debts and who are funding trust accounts for this purpose on a monthly basis and if your
firm is seeking an enhanced layer of security and compliance when dealing with third parties in the
debt settlement industry, consider a strategy focusing on consumers enrolled in
debt settlement programs and select a commercial vendor that aggregates this data to make the process of
working with this industry more efficient, compliant and profitable.»
When you hire a
debt settlement firm, they do the
work for you.
Once you start a
debt settlement plan, be sure to finish it completely — assuming you are
working with a reputable
firm.
Your
debt settlement firm should explain how
debt settlement works and maybe they've tried, but they didn't do a good job.
A recent Wall Street Journal Online article tells the story of a part - time security guard in Ohio who watched his
debt swell from $ 15,000 to $ 20,000 during the time he was
working with a
debt settlement firm.
Firms who perform this type of
work may identify themselves as
debt management,
debt reduction,
debt relief,
debt workout,
debt settlement or a host of other names inferring they help with
debt even sometimes including
debt consolidation.
Together with the
debt settlement firm you will establish a master plan to help deal with the credit card
debt including how long the
debt elimination process might take, and how much money you will need to make the credit card
debt reduction plan
work.
Lawyers and
debt settlement firms that meet with clients face - to - face can charge up - front fees.It makes no financial sense to
work with any
firm that charges you fees in advance, when you can find reputable, experienced
settlement firms that won't charge you a fee for any account they settle until after the
settlement is finalized.
Only
work with a
debt settlement firm that does not charge up - front fees.
While the federal government in many ways regulates
debt settlement in addition to state governments, it's important that you as the consumer follow up with any
firm you
work with to find out if they are able to legally provide services in your state.
However, Garneau says, if consumers
work with reputable
debt settlement firms and keep their commitment to their savings plan, they can resolve their
debt within three years and not have to file for bankruptcy, which can have longer - term and more serious consequences.
While most reputable
debt settlement firms will
work to assist in minimizing creditor calls and harassment where possible,
debt settlement does not provide the guaranteed legal protection that bankruptcy does.