Who can we trust when we are in financial difficulties?

If you have been following our company websites, you will know that the last couple of weeks we have been providing information on Debt Consultants.

Last week I had the opportunity to hear one of those types of firms do a presentation to a business group that I belong to.  It was a very interesting presentation.

First, the presenter proceeded to inform us that he also disliked many companies in this business that provide so called debt relief services to people who have financial troubles.  If you haven’t read those stories, I invite you to look at some of these blogs:

http://www.hoyes.com/blog/2011/10/debt-consultants-horror-stories.html

Second, he also advised that his company is a not-for-profit registered charity and has a large component in their organization in giving education seminars to various companies and individuals.

Third, he advised they were located across Canada.

Was he telling me the truth?

Searching on the internet and review of the materials he handed out at the presentation show that yes, he was totally on the “up and up”.

So the moral of my story is that you need to do what most of our blogs tell you to do.  If you are not ready to make an appointment with a trustee or us in particular, search for help very carefully.

-          Check the Better Business Bureau to ensure there have been little or no complaints or they are rated highly by the Bureau for whomever you are choosing to help you with your financial troubles.

-          Check reviews to see what has happened to other people.  Remember that on their site only good stories will appear – check what has been said about them on other sites.

-          Check to see if they have offices in your area – if someone doesn’t want to meet with you face to face, it is likely they are not from your area.

-          Check to see if there are any costs related to meeting with them or becoming part of their program.  If there are payments to be made, when will your creditors be notified.  A trustee or true debt consultation firm who can help you will be contacting your creditors upon starting their program.

And if you are not sure about what you have heard, then do make an appointment with Hoyes, Michalos.  There is no cost for a consultation with us and we do not require anything to be signed or paid when we discuss the options with you.  Just a plan to get you started on the way to managing your debt and finances.