Debt consolidation: cure or continued credit problems? (2)

Managing, not adding, debt

Viale is a much bigger fan of debt management, which isn't a surprise since he heads up a debt management firm. But McNaughton and other experts also point to credit counseling instead of shifting debt as the way to go.

They favor debt management because it costs less and is quicker than a debt-consolidation loan. Viale says someone owing $20,000 would end up paying $6,000 to $8,000 in interest and fees and be debt free in four to six years by using a credit counselor. If that person took out a 15-year home equity loan at 10 percent (because his credit wasn't good enough to get him a lower rate), Bankrate's loan calculator shows he'd end up paying $18,686 in interest on top of the twenty grand he borrowed.

But if you just can't get a handle on your bills by yourself, you should explore credit counseling. Getting professional help in managing your debt can help you change your credit behavior. People that have taken on too much debt tend to go into denial; they'd rather not know how much debt they owe. A professional debt manager will make you face up to your obligations.

Credit counseling agencies also force you to stop racking up debt. In exchange for consolidating your debt and working with your creditors to reduce your payments, credit counselors require you to give up your credit cards.

Credit counseling, however, is not without its costs.

One downside is that your reduced payment plan will probably show up as a mark against you on your credit report. Even though your creditor agreed to the reduced payment, you technically did not pay your account as called for in your original credit agreement.

An even more costly potential pitfall is the disreputable debt counselor. Some credit counseling and debt-consolidation companies are only interested in making a quick buck on debt-ridden consumers. Some firms offer shoddy service at sky-high fees. Others are out-and-out scams.

To find a reputable firm, verify certifications or third-party registrations. Check with the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies or the National Foundation of Credit Counseling to see if the service you're considering is a member of either group. Also ask the service for references and then confirm them.

Make sure that the debt management or credit counseling firm answers all your questions and that you have a firm understanding of how the process will work and what it will cost. If the company won't give you straight answers or you don't understand what's going on, don't sign up with that company.