Looking for the best way to pay off your outstanding consumer debt? Do significantly lowered interest rates and an improved credit score sound appealing? Are you tired of all of those annoying telephone calls? Before you even consider looking into filing for bankruptcy, please try to find a reputable nonprofit debt consolidation agency instead.

There are numerous institutions that offer long-term debt relief for profit, but the best way to handle your current financial crisis is to enlist the services of a nonprofit debt consolidation agency. Many businesses who supposedly offer these services are nothing more than commissioned salespeople on credit card companies payrolls. Some try to trick you with names like debt settlement firms, but do not fall for this trap.

Do your homework, and find a reputable nonprofit debt consolidation agency instead. If you are drowning in a sea of credit card debt, a certified credit counselor can help you repair your credit score by customizing a debt relief program based on a reasonable monthly repayment plan. Nonprofit debt consolidation is the answer to most people's financial difficulties, but there are several things that need to be investigated before you make any agreement.

Make sure that they are officially recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This should be clearly stated on their website, and can be easily verified. Ensure that at least one certified credit counselor is available for free consultations, and check out their credentials. The National Association of Certified Credit Counselors (NACCC) is widely recognized by all creditors, states, and the debt management industry. The Institute for Personal Finance and the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education have excellent records throughout the industry as well.

Ensure that the agency in question is a member in good standing of the Better Business Bureau, and, if they have a website, it is preferable to only do business with an agency that is part of the BBB Online Reliability Program. Ask for proof that thy are legally compliant in every state in which they practice, and independently verify this information if it is not readily available upon request. Once again, this should be clearly stated on their website. If you do not have Internet access, a quick phone call to the appropriate regulating authority can supply you with the answer.

Find out what associations, professional organizations, or trade groups they are a member of, and contact each one for more information and references. Some of the more popular ones to look for are the Christian Management Association, the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), and the Christian Business Association. Others to seek out are the American Association of Debt Management Organizations, and the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

Are they ISO 9001 certified? If so, that means that their staff is well-trained; they have explicitly, detailed department manuals; and they strictly follow the consumer credit counseling code of practice. The International Organization for Standardization has been in existence since 1947, and only certifies those organizations who have the highest quality management standards. In other words, you can trust those companies are certified by the ISO to be among the leaders in their respective industries.

After you have carefully evaluated a nonprofit debt consolidation agency to see if they meet the above standards, then you should turn to them for debt relief assistance. Only do business with those who have high customer service standards, and take the time to thoroughly answer any questions. If they fail to meet all of your expectations, please find another service provider.