| in debt? If so, you might need the help of one of | | | | 2. Obtain the company’s D&B report from |
| the many quality debt settlement businesses | | | | Dun and Bradstreet. This report will reveal if the |
| available to you to help pay off what you owe. | | | | company is in the black, who members of its |
| Finding such businesses isn’t always easy, | | | | board of directors are, as well as other key |
| and there are some questions you must ask | | | | corporate information. |
| before you commit to a contract. Do some | | | | 3. Check with your state’s consumer |
| personal investigating to find out which businesses | | | | affairs department for information. If the |
| [if any] are right for you. | | | | company has not registered with your state, find |
| So, how can you locate a quality debt settlement | | | | out where they are registered and call that |
| businesses? First of all, by searching right online. | | | | state’s consumer affairs department. |
| Naturally, not all businesses are the same and you | | | | 4. Ask for references. If you still feel good about |
| must find out if each one is valid or not, including | | | | the company, get references. If they are solid, |
| if it is licensed by your state. Happily, most | | | | they will freely share that information. If the |
| corporate web sites share this type of | | | | company is not willing to part with references, |
| information openly. | | | | just move on to the next company on your list. |
| Here are five steps you can take to ensure that | | | | 5. Ask friends and family members if they know |
| the company you are dealing with is on the up | | | | of a specific quality debt settlement business. |
| and up: | | | | You can thin your list by comparing their fees, by |
| 1. Check with the Better Business Bureau {BBB} | | | | learning what impact a debt settlement loan will |
| to see if complaints have been registered against | | | | have on your credit rating, and determining how |
| a particular company. Ask the BBB for a list of | | | | long you have to pay off your debt. |
| quality debt settlement businesses. | | | | |