MAGNOLIA
CLIPPING SERVICE
(601) 856·0911 I (205) 758·8610
DAIL Y TIMES LEADER
WEST POINT, MS
Circuldlion = 2610
DAILY
08/11/2009
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BBB Consumer Aert:
Beware of questionable
debt negotiators
::~/'-
The Better Business Bureau
(BBB) Serving Mississippi
wants consumers to be aware
of the following warning
signs regarding questionable
debt negotiators:
• Request account numbers
and other financial details
before discussing services or
fees. Reputable credit coun­
selors will provide free infor­
mati on about their services.
• Boast or guarantee of
lowering monthly payments
gby 30-50% h.
• Promise a quick fix to
debt problems.
• Offer quick on-the-spot
evaluations of your situation.
Experienced counselors may
wantto spend an hour review­
ing your financial situation.
• Claim to be able to
remove negative information
from your credit report.
Accurate infonnation cannot
be removed from a person fs
credit report.
• Reluctance to provide the
organization fs business
name andlor address.
• Insist on an immediate
decision.
Bill Moak, President/CEO
of the Mississippi BBB cau·
tions that gconsumers should
never feel any pressure to
work with a particular com­
pany. The most important
thing in working through
debt issues is to select a repu­
table, capable debt advisor or
credit counselor. h
The BBB has been serving
Mississippi consumers and
businesses since 1964 in pro­
moting an ethical market­
place. To obtain a BBB
Reliability Report on a busi­
ness, call 800-987-8280 or
visit www.ms.bbb.org.