Copyright (c) 2010 Liz Roberts

People will agree that one of the most common problems of consumers is bad debt. With the current economic state the country is experiencing, many individuals are having difficulties in paying off their debts. A poor credit rating follows this failure to repay credit accounts.

No need to worry since there are companies and organizations that offer different credit repair services that will help you solve multiple debt problems. They recommend that their clients take debt consolidation loans, debt management programs and even debt settlement so that these borrowers can end their credit woes.

But how do these three credit programs differ from one another? And what are the risks involved in signing up for any one of these credit repair services? Allow us to discuss the answers to these queries.

What is Debt Consolidation?

Debt Consolidation is a credit program where a consumer like you will be granted a loan that you can use to pay all your credit accounts in one full swoop. Your chosen lender will compute all your outstanding debts as well as the interest accumulated in these accounts and will provide you a lump sum to settle your financial obligations. In return, you will sign a credit agreement which details how and when you will repay the money owed. Usually, debt consolidation loans will require consumers to pay single monthly installments until such time that they are able to settle all their credit obligations.

What is the risk involved in this program? Some debt consolidation programs impose high interest rates and charges. And this can prove very disadvantageous especially if you have a very tight budget. You must also note that most loan companies offering debt consolidation loans will ask you to submit a collateral. And should you default on your payments, you can easily lose your valuable assets to repossession. It is really important to analyze the pros and cons of this type of credit repair service.

What is a Debt Management Program?

A debt management program on the other hand, involves your enrollment in a credit counseling program. In this type of credit repair service, a finance specialist will help you devise a debt management plan tailor to fit your personal situation as well as your financial capabilities. You will surely discover that this option involves relatively no risk, as long as you enroll in a program offered by a reputable credit counseling agency, and as long as you remain faithful to your monthly repayments.

What is Debt Settlement All About?

Last but not the least is what we call debt settlement. In this program, a debt settlement agency will assist you to negotiate the reduction of your existing credit accounts. Doing this will only require you to pay a small percentage of your outstanding credit obligation.

Still, this program has a catch. You will need to make a substantial payment to the debt settlement agency for the services rendered by the skilled debt negotiator. Not only that. You will also incur tax issues as well as a lower credit rating once you apply for this credit repair service. Thus, you need to carefully consider the benefits and drawbacks of this option. This will help you decide whether this credit program fits your current situation.

Be aware of these differences, advantages and risks and for sure you will be able to choose a program that will be most suitable to your personal and financial situation and that you can use to end your credit problems.