If a debtor is already at the end of his rope and trying to figure out how to get out of debt, the last thing he needs to worry about is whether the debt counsellor he has chosen to help him will make his problems worse. He needs to know that he's not making a mistake by going to debt counselling instead of filing for bankruptcy or making a deal with the creditors.
Checking with the Better Business Bureau is the first thing someone should do to make sure that the debt counsellor they want to hire is a good one. This isn't a guarantee, though, because they only have information on file from people who have filed complaints. If the company is new or no one has ever complained about it, you won't really know. Even so, this is the best tool you have, and you should use it as much as possible.
Word of mouth is another way to find out about a debt counselling service's reputation. If the company has a good name, they won't mind telling you about their other clients. You'll want to make sure they aren't spreading false or unwanted information. If they are really trustworthy, their application will probably include a way for them to share information with other possible clients.
If it's a local business, you might even know someone who has used their services. If they don't want to give you references that you can check, it's best to move on to someone who is more willing to work with you. Most of the time, but not always, someone who won't give you references is trying to hide something. This is not the kind of person you want to do business with.
The Internet is a great place to look for information about many different things, and if a company has a bad reputation, there is probably a forum where people can talk about it. People set up websites, forums, and groups on Yahoo and MSN just to complain about companies they think have treated them unfairly. This may seem strange, but it's true.
Use all the tools you have, and if it's a local company, check with all the local agencies, including the Attorney General's Office, which would know if there have been any reports of illegal activity. If you've made it this far, you don't have enough money to be scammed, so be careful about who you give your money to. If the person you choose doesn't do the job they said they would, it won't help your situation, and you can't even sue them for damages if they shut down their business.
Choose a company that has been in business long enough to have a list of clients, and choose one that you feel is looking out for your best interests and not just trying to get your money. Choose a debt counsellor with as much care as you would a babysitter for a new baby.
