AICCCA Pioneered Quality Services
for Credit Counseling Agencies -
Guarantees Consumer Friendly Practices


The Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Trade Commission recently released a consumer advisory regarding practices by some credit counseling agencies that are harmful to consumers. AICCCA agrees with the IRS/FTC advisory and is disturbed by the practices of some of the non-profit agencies in the industry.

Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies formed in 1993 because it recognized the need for consistent quality credit counseling services to consumers. AICCCA operates as an advocate for quality services and ensures that its member offices provide low cost, budgeting, financial education and debt management services in the best interest of the consumer.

AICCCA guarantees consumer friendly practices as follows:


• AICCCA members must adhere to a strict code of practices. AICCCA member fees are capped at $75 to establish a Debt Management Plan and $50 a month to maintain. Many members charge fees well below these limits. No one is ever denied service based on inability to pay.
  
  
• AICCCA member agencies are self-regulated by strict standards that have been in place for more than ten years including third-party accreditation, counselor certification and client fund protection.
  
  
• AICCCA members work with all of a consumer's creditors and counsel and educate consumers on how to avoid problems with debt in the future. AICCCA members provide full disclosure to the consumer regarding fees, voluntary contributions, services and length of the plan.


Founded in 1993, Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA) is a national membership organization, established to promote quality and consistent delivery of credit counseling services. AICCCA and its members are focused on improved creditor relations, efficient processes and advanced technology to best serve clients and creditors. AICCCA members are independent nonprofit agencies that advocate for debtors, counsel millions of consumers annually nationwide and provide debt management services to consumers with excessive unsecured debt. For more information or to contact an AICCCA member office call (800) 450-1794 or visit www.aiccca.org.