Frequently Asked Questions

Please check the list below for your answers to your questions:

General

Is this a loan?

No. "The whole concept" is designed for you to get out of debt; not further debt. This removes the temptation of using your credit cards in order to keep you from ending up with a loan and credit cards that have reached their limits.

What type of debt can I include?

Only unsecured debt such as credit cards, personal loans, hospital bills, department store credit cards, old telephone and utility bills, gas cards and repossession loans can be included.

Will this affect my credit?

We do not report to the credit bureaus. However, this largely depends upon the debt repayment option that you choose to participate in. Read what the inventor of your FICO® score, Fair Isaac Corporation, has to say on its\' web page titled,

"What\'s Not In Your Score" and see for yourself how credit counseling participation does not affect your FICO® score.

Fair Isaac® and FICO® score are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fair Isaac Corporation

Can I still use my credit cards?

Creditors don\'t want your debt to increase while you are in a debt repayment program. Therefore, your accounts may be frozen. You may, however, keep an account out of the program for emergency purposes.

What type of debt can I NOT include?

Attorney Fees, traffic or court fines, pay day loans, judgments, garnishments, child support, alimony, mortgages, car loans or any other secured debts.

Creditor examples: American Express • ATT-Universal • Bank of America • Capitol One • Chase • Discover • First Bankcard Center • First-USA • Fleet• Household Credit • Hurley State Bank • MBNA • Target • US Bank • Wachovia • Wells Fargo

Can I include business credit cards?

No. Business credit cards are treated as secured debt by most creditors. Most creditors rely on your business financial statements in order to grant credit. Therefore, they do not allow you to include these in your program.