Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA)

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Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies can connect you with experts on personal finance issues including college students and credit, bankruptcy alternatives, consumer debt, and many others. In addition, we are often able to locate a consumer to help personalize your story. We understand the nature of deadlines and will respond to your resource requests quickly and efficiently.

If you are on an immediate deadline call Ken Scott, Public Relations Representative, at 713-682-1382 or cell, 713-397-9091. Or you can e-mail the following information and we will arrange for you to speak with a qualified spokesperson who can provide background and comments for your story.
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News Releases

Date
Title

8/30/10    AICCCA Provides Five Strategies for Prioritizing Debt

7/30/10    AICCCA Works With FTC on New Rule Protecting Consumers from Unfair Debt Settlement Practices

7/13/10    AICCCA's 17th Annual Conference Provides Exclusive Opportunity to Hear Experts Address Critical Issues Facing the Consumer Credit Counseling Industry

6/9/10    AICCCA Warns a Leading Cause of Bankruptcy Missing Early Warning Signs of Financial Trouble

5/24/10    AICCCA Advises Consumers -Tread Vacation Waters Carefully

4/26/10    AICCCA Finds Consumers Confused About Differences Between Credit Counseling and Debt Settlement

4/14/10    AICCCA Advises Consumers Learn Five Basic Financial Principles During Financial Literacy Month

4/5/10    As Demand for Credit Counseling Services Jump, Consumers are too Slow to Ask for Help

3/23/10    AICCCA reveals what consumers need to know if they owe

3/15/10    AICCCA Advises Consumers Learn Five Basic Financial Principles During Financial Literacy Month

3/8/10    AICCCA Says Don't Let Spring Break Break the Bank

2/22/10    AICCCA Advises Consumers Credit CARD Act Provides Protections But High Credit Card Balances Still Need to Go

2/4/10    AICCCA Says Patience Pays Big Time - Just Say No to Refund Anticipation Loans

1/7/10    AICCCA 17th Mid-Winter Conference Features Experts To Address Critical Personal Financial Issues

12/30/09    AICCCA Offers Four Step Solution for Holiday Debt

12/9/09    AICCCA Offers Four Tips for Last Minute Shoppers

12/1/09    AICCCA Warns Black Friday and Cyber Monday May Lead to a Consumer's Red Tuesday

11/23/09    AICCCA Offers Black Friday Spending Tips

10/20/09    AICCCA Offers Five Tips for an Affordable Holiday Season

10/1/09    AICCCA Says Treat Yourself to a Halloween You Can Afford

9/15/09    AICCCA Warns Consumers - with New Changes in Cardholder Agreements Now is the Time to Pay off High Credit Card Balances

8/18/09    AICCCA Says Use Three R's when Back-to-School Shopping

8/3/09    AICCCA Finds Senior Consumers Struggling with More Debt

7/1/09    AICCCA Advises Consumers to Start Holiday Planning Now

6/30/09    AICCCA Cautions Consumers to Plan Ahead for New Changes in Credit Cardholder Agreements

6/23/09    AICCCA 16th Annual Conference Provides Exclusive Opportunity to Hear Experts Address Critical Issues Facing the Consumer Credit Counseling Industry

6/11/09    AICCCA Offers Tips on Cutting Budgets without Cutting Essentials

5/18/09    AICCCA Supports Credit Card Bill of Rights for Consumers

5/14/09    AICCCA Urges Consumers to Support Local Economy this Summer

4/20/09    AICCCA Launches New Consumer Targeted Website
www.creditcounseling4u.org

4/16/09    AICCCA Member Offices Support Call to Action Plan

3/19/09    AICCCA Offers Tips for Taxpayers

3/10/09    AICCCA Members Major Participants in New Help With My Credit Program

2/24/09    Make the Most of Tax Refund with AICCCA's Three Dos and Three Don'ts

2/4/09    With Flood of Financial Problems, a Way to Locate Reputable Credit Counselor is Critical

1/28/09    AICCCA Offers Five Steps to Minimize Financial Damage from Layoffs

1/8/09    AICCCA 16th Mid-Winter Conference Offers Exclusive Opportunity to Hear Experts Address Critical Personal Financial Issues

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FAQs

What is Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies?

The Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA) is a nonprofit national membership organization, established to promote quality and consistent delivery of credit counseling services.

AICCCA fulfills its mission by establishing a consensus among consumer professionals regarding credit counseling service standards and professional industry conduct, as well as by establishing and maintaining strong relationships with credit management professionals and consumers.

What is a Debt Management Plan?

In addition to providing professional credit counseling and consumer education, any AICCCA member agency can enroll a consumer in a plan designed to eliminate unsecured debt. A Debt Management Plan (DMP) involves negotiating with creditors to reduce or eliminate interest and penalties while the consumer makes regular payments through the agency. The agency pays the consumer's creditors from the funds received and provides regular statements to the consumer showing the distribution of the funds received. While the DMP is in effect, the consumer should not incur additional credit card debt so that the plan can successfully work to eliminate current debt.

Will Being On a Debt Management Plan Affect My Credit?

Most consumers, who qualify for a DMP, have already experienced difficulty with credit. However, creditors recognize a sincere consumer effort to repay their debt and become rehabilitated through a responsible credit counseling agency. Some creditors do report to credit bureaus that a consumer has entered a DMP. This notation on a credit report is generally not seen as negative. One of the surest ways to rebuild credit is to gain control of family finances through successful completion of a DMP and educational help from a credit counseling agency. Missing payments to a creditor is far more damaging and expensive due to late penalties, increased interest rates, and fees.

Are Debt Management Plans Expensive?

AICCCA members are bound by standards that limit the charges for their services. Some states also have strict limitations. A responsible credit counseling agency can provide enrollment in a DMP at reasonable costs. Counseling is typically free and will be supplied whether or not a consumer is eligible for a DMP. Consumers should beware of any agency that requires high fees or asks for large contributions. Some non-AICCCA agencies ask for as much as $200 to $400 or more to enroll in a DMP.

How Long Does It Take To Complete a Debt Management Plan?

The length of a DMP depends upon the total amount of debt, the consumer's ability to repay, and the specific creditors involved. Some consumers need as much as 60 months to satisfy all of their unsecured debt. Others can do so in much less time. The key is to make a concerted effort to get your family back on the right financial track and to maintain control of your finances in the future. This takes resolve, time, and effort. Most consumers find that a DMP is a better solution than personal bankruptcy or continuing to live under a mountain of debt. With help, the behaviors that resulted in heavy debt can be corrected.