How does debt relief work?
You send us one payment each month. We then share out this payment between your creditors and pay the set amount. Your creditors are satisfied that you are trying to straighten out your debts and that they are receiving this set amount each month.
The benefit to you is that you now make only one payment each month at an amount that you afford and you are no longer being bothered by your creditors.
Can you stop collections agencies from calling and harassing me?
Yes, if collections agencies are still calling you after the first few payments, we at Financial Freedom may use the Fair Credit Report Act, a federal law, to make them stop calling. If collection agencies are calling you at work and jeopardizing your job, we get them to comply with the law.
How will I know my creditors are being paid?
You continue to receive statements from your creditors. You will be sent a monthly statement that will match the one your creditor sends you every month. We will provide full disclosure as to how we are helping you.
Can you help me repair my credit report?
If you have bad credit at the time you begin a debt management program, your credit rating can only improve. Most Credit card companies and other creditors usually re-age accounts that have undergone debt management with timely payments, you begin establishing a sound credit report.
Is Debt Relief Expensive?
That depends on your State Guidelines. There may be a small processing fee between $50.00-75.00. The monthly service charges range from $20.00-50.00.Your budget is also taken into consideration and fees can be waived.
Is Debt Relief Similar to Bankruptcy?
Absolutely Not!!! Debt relief is for people who want to pay what they owe and have the ability to obtain credit in the future. Bankruptcy is designed to absolve you of all your obligations and results in long term negative credit status.
My credit card balances seem to be going nowhere every month. My credit report says I have good credit but I owe too much. What do I do?
Keeping your credit cards current is important but national statistics tell us that it takes over one year for every thousand dollars owed to pay creditors at a 20% Annual Percentage Rate on debts over $5000. Sooner or later, your debt will overcome your ability to pay your bills on time. Your credit ratings may eventually deteriorate due to debt-to-income ratios. That is, if you divide the amount you owe by the amount you make each year, you will get a rough idea of where you are. If you are over 50%, you are obviously in need of debt management and debt relief. Note: These totals are estimated amounts.
How long does it take to pay off my credit card debts after debt relief?
Will debt relief affect my credit rating?
It may be that you have not missed payments but you still realize that you will never be able to get out of debt by paying only the minimum amount every month. In this case, you are in financial danger but your credit rating may still be very good. Once you have begun Financial Freedom Christian Counseling Service debt management program, your credit report will show a remark such as "under debt management" or "managed by credit counseling". Generally, this indicates that you have found yourself struggling with debts but have taken prudent measures to solve the problem, a beneficial indication.
If you have bad credit at the time you begin a debt management program, your credit rating can only improve over time. Credit card companies and other creditors usually re-age accounts that have undergone debt management, credit counseling and bring them up to "Current". As you make timely payments, you begin establishing a sound credit report. Credit repair and good credit reports can only be established over time.
Is your debt relief program expensive?
No. We charge a small debt management fee which is included in your monthly payment. Even with Financial Freedom Christian Counseling Service fee, your monthly payments are usually less and your interest expense is greatly reduced from what you would have been paying under your original creditor’s terms. Reasonably quick debt reduction and credit repair would never be possible if our debt relief program were expensive.
Do I need a credit report to have you help me get a debt relief?
No. We work with the creditors you SAY you owe. A credit report may be useful as there may be items that appear that you may have forgotten such as bad credit comments, bad credit loans, credit card debts, collection agencies, student loans, medical bills, and taxes. We can help you consolidate all debts that are unsecured!
Why don’t credit card companies have their own debt reduction programs for people like me?
They do! However, debt reduction, credit counseling and credit repair are entirely different functions than what the credit card companies do best. Credit card companies would prefer that people dealt with specialized debt relief firms who take on the substantial burden of individual repayment agreements and terms as well as all the attendant paperwork. For these reasons, the credit card companies have special programs only for use by debt management companies such as Financial Freedom Christian Counseling Service.
Are all creditors willing to reduce interest rates?
Most credit card companies or other creditors have their own debt management programs. However, they will not do this on an individual basis. Since Financial Freedom Christian Counseling Service deals with thousands of clients and creditors continually, our enhanced ability to lower your interest rates and negotiate a new debt management plan is our strength – and yours too! We will advise you about your personal accounts and provide you the best options for getting out of debt as quickly as possible.
Does Financial Freedom Christian Counseling Service provide debt relief loans to pay creditors?
No. We strongly caution you against using a debt relief loan. Instead, Financial Freedom Christian Counseling Service will:
- Negotiate with your creditors to reduce your interest rates and monthly payments.
- Present you with a reasonable agreement for repaying your debts, taking into account your household budget requirements.
- Accept your single payment every month and disburse it to your creditors on time
How does debt relief differ from declaring bankruptcy?
The objective of bankruptcy is to absolve oneself of debts altogether. This financial strategy, however, has serious and long-term drawbacks which may negatively affect your life for decades. For example, applying for life insurance, purchasing a business, buying a home, applying for a job, etc. can all be negatively affected by a prior bankruptcy. Under a debt management plan, you commit to repaying your debt obligations. Thus, one can repair bad credit, maintain a good credit rating and return to a debt free lifestyle quickly and without frustrating negative consequences.
What about the mortgage on my home and my car loan? Can I consolidate those debts together with my credit card debts?
No. Only unsecured debts are considered for a debt management program. Your home mortgage and your car loan are secured by your home and car respectively as collateral.
So far I am not behind on any payments, but I can only afford the minimum and I realize that I will never be able to pay off my debt. Should I still seek credit counseling and a debt management program?
Yes, you should. If you wait, you will inevitably fall behind and your good credit rating will suffer. If you enter a debt management plan now, you can save your credit rating. A good credit report is always worth saving.
I am interested in credit repair and improving my credit reports. Can you help me repair my credit?
Be very skeptical of any company or organization who promises instant credit repair. No one can erase a negative credit report if it is indeed true. Your credit rating will improve as you pay down debt and show a regular, timely stream of payments to you creditors. Financial Freedom Christian Counseling Service can assist you in receiving written acknowledgement that you have fulfilled your obligations to them once you have made your last payment.
Will I receive regular statements from Financial Freedom Christian Counseling Service as I pay down my debts?
Yes, you may request statements upon your request free of charge and in most cases you can also review your account online. Financial Freedom Christian Counseling Service will provide full disclosure as to how we are helping you.
If you have additional questions, please see our Contact Us page or e-mail info@myffcc.org