American Consumer Credit Counseling Reviews

ACCC’s mission is to help consumers regain control of their finances and plan for a debt-free life. The organization has provided financial education, credit counseling and debt management services to consumers across the U.S. since 1991, and it is a nonprofit member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. ACCC is not a lender and does not offer debt consolidation loans.

If you’re struggling with credit card debt or have questions about bankruptcy or foreclosure, you can schedule a free counseling session with one of ACCC’s certified credit or housing counselors to help you review your situation and determine next steps.

ACCC offers free credit and budget counseling sessions for consumers struggling with unsecured debt. During the session, a qualified credit counselor reviews your income, expenses, assets and debts and helps you create a plan. Depending on your situation, you may be recommended for a paid debt management plan.

ACCC also offers these services:

• Bankruptcy counseling
• Housing counseling, including reverse mortgage counseling
• Student debt counseling
• Homebuyer education
• Debt management plans

ACCC offers its debt management program for a small monthly fee. The company's goal is to ensure you have access to the best possible debt solution, whether that's joining a debt management program or managing your debt on your own.

Under ACCC's debt management program, you make one monthly payment to the agency, which then distributes payments to your creditors. ACCC says it negotiates with your creditors in an attempt to reduce finance charges, late fees and over-limit fees, and may also lower interest rates.

The debt management program is designed to help you establish healthy payment habits. It’s meant to last for three to five years, but your time in the program primarily depends on your debt level and your creditors' cooperation. The plan can help simplify repayment, but it is not the same as debt settlement or a loan.

To get started, visit ACCC’s website and fill out the contact form for a free consultation. You’ll provide your name, email address and phone number. You’ll also input some basic information about your financial situation, including:

• Your total credit card debt
• The status of your payments (current, falling behind, etc.)
• Types of services you are looking for (credit counseling, debt management, etc.)
• The amount of credit card debt you have with individual creditors
• Your monthly income

A certified counselor then contacts you to schedule a free consultation and review your budget, debts and goals. Before your consultation, it can help to gather these documents:

• Recent credit card bills and statements
• Pay stubs
• Any creditor notices or letters
• A list of your monthly bills or debts

If your counselor recommends a debt management plan, you can enroll and make one monthly payment through ACCC instead of paying creditors separately. ACCC offers a client portal to track your repayment progress.

As a nonprofit organization, ACCC offers a range of counseling services designed to educate consumers about credit, bankruptcy, foreclosure, homeownership and reverse mortgages. Those services include:

• Credit counseling: A free review with advice about improving your credit and paying off debt. Each credit counseling session includes a full financial review. After the session, you’ll receive a budget and an action plan based on your goals.
• Debt management plans: Learn how to consolidate your unsecured debt into one monthly payment to ACCC. The credit counselor develops a debt management plan with your budget and overall financial situation in mind. ACCC repayment plans aim to pay off debt within five years.
• Bankruptcy counseling: Expert advice on the bankruptcy process. Through counseling, ACCC counselors can also help you identify other alternatives to bankruptcy, if appropriate, given your situation.
• Reverse mortgage counseling: Education on the benefits and drawbacks of a reverse mortgage. ACCC is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.
• Homebuyer and foreclosure education: Homeownership courses and certification that certain lenders may require before getting a loan. ACCC also offers resources and counseling for consumers facing foreclosure.

Counseling and financial education are free with ACCC. Fees may apply for debt management and bankruptcy education services, and some fees may be waived or reduced depending on state rules, proof of financial hardship or active military status.

ACCC is a strong choice for self-motivated consumers seeking low-cost, nonprofit guidance and a structured plan to pay off their unsecured debt. It may be especially useful if you want help with budgeting, credit card repayment or bankruptcy-related counseling.