Having problems with debt can be embarrassing, and consequently, people tend to keep their predicament a secret. Whether you have overextended yourself buying a house, and now have mortgage payments you can't afford, or have a number of maxed out credit cards, you may have chosen to keep this information private. Unfortunately, this is not usually the best strategy for getting out of debt. Before you can get out of debt, you need to be honest with yourself and admit that your debt is getting out of control. Facing the problem is the most important, but also the easiest step in regaining control of your finances.

For most people who find themselves deep in debt, professional help of some kind is necessary to get back on track. One good place to seek help is the lender who services your debt. Most lenders are eager to solve the problem early, rather than having to resort to taking legal action later. Lenders can help you solve your debt problems in a number of ways. They can temporarily suspend payments to help you catch up on a delinquent account, work out a different payment plan, or completely restructure your loan. Credit card companies will often be willing to help you get your finances on track and get back on a timely payment schedule.

Another place to find debt help is on the internet. Many companies offer debt consolidation and credit repair services to help you regain control of your debts. Normally you will get either a single loan consolidating all of your outstanding debts, or pay a credit consolidation company directly who in turn will pay your creditors. When you are working with a professional credit consolidation company, some lenders will even suspend interest charges to your account because you are making an earnest attempt to remedy your debt issues.

When deciding to utilize the services of a debt relief or credit repair company, be sure to first check them out with the Better Business Bureau. Avoid offers that sound too good to be true, and be wary of potential scams. By law, companies that offer credit repair services cannot charge you until service is complete, and are prohibited from making misleading claims regarding their services. You must also be given a three day waiting period during which you can back out of the agreement. Finally, be aware that just because an organization is designated a "non-profit" does not mean that their services are entirely free. There will still be some kind of fee associated with the service.

Many companies offering credit repair services cannot deliver what they promise. Almost all of the services they provide are things that the consumer can do on their own. By law, each of the three national credit reporting agencies must provide you a copy of your credit report upon request once a year. Credit reports often contain inaccurate items, and by law, the credit reporting agency must remove inaccuracies within 30 days. In cases where particular items are in dispute, the burden of proof rests with the company who reported the item to prove that the information is correct. Avoid credit repair companies that require payment up front, advise you not to contact the credit agencies directly, or propose that you create a new credit identity by applying for an Employer Identification Number to use in place of a Social Security number.

Whether you use professional assistance to get out of debt and improve your credit, or you decide to tackle the problem yourself, it is vital that you identify what caused the debt and credit problems in the first place. Take a close look at your credit report and you can begin to identify a pattern of credit use. Perhaps you have a number of open credit accounts that you don't use, or even worse, many accounts that are maxed out. Once you have eliminated any erroneous credit entries and are working to correct legitimate negative items, you need to construct a budget that allows you to live within your means. Use credit wisely and sparingly, and begin to set some money aside to cover future expenses. Continue to be vigilant so that you never again fall into the trap of excessive debt.