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Douglas Schweitzer's picture
Douglas Schweitzer

The Security Sector

Debt forgiveness? Forget it.

I’ve heard that the economy is on the upswing, but I know most of us are still holding our breath. With many Americans trying to make ends meet in the face of unemployment, ballooning mortgage costs and credit card debt, lots of them are turning to debt-relief services. If you or someone you know is in this position, remember that if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

There’s no way a third party company can just erase your debt like it never happened (nor should it). There is no way around besmirching your credit if you’re going to repay less than you owe. Owning up to those two facts will keep folks who are in debt from being mislead by unscrupulous companies who promise that they can wave their magic wands and bring absolution.  Be especially wary if the company is coming to you (via email or pop-up advertising online). Even debt settlement or consolidation companies you seek out on your own are often deceitful. When you’re dealing with credit cards, it’s often as simple as contacting the card company directly and negotiating a more manageable repayment course. As distasteful as it may be, the bottom line is that consumers need to do their homework because though they feel they’ve hit bottom it sometimes can get even worse.

What People Are Saying

Debt is going to ruin us, unless....

the Obama administration enacts more legislation that helps those in debt even more than current policies. The government is responsible, so it must act.

Huh?

People get themselves in debt! The government
should not use OUR money to get them out!

Do you actually think Obama and the Democratic
controlled government could actually help ANYONE
with their debt, as they roll up more than ever
before in history??!!

In a sense you're "preaching

In a sense you're "preaching to the choir." Those of us reading this know most of what you write and probably are not in the dire straits from which you wish to rescue us.

The ones needing sound advice are not likely to have grasped in the first place what they did to get into their financial mess. They probably can't grasp now how to get out of it and wouldn't be reading blogs like yours. They were more often than not watching infomercials on late night TV and falling for every scam in the book. It is beyond their control and an erudite blog is not going to straighten them out, no matter how well intended. The ones in financial trouble will likely fall for the scam credit counseling and lose more money. There's not much anyone can do to stop them...you can't legislate common sense.

The good ones will do

The good ones will do several things for you.
1 have you cut up your cards
2 help you figure out a budget
3 help you setup a payment plan
4 work with the credit companies to to lower your interest rates
5 help you learn money management
6 they will tell you up front that things will not be easy money wise but when you are done you will be in a better position and your credit rating will not be trashed