http://www.debtfreezone.net/debt-settlement/debt-settlement-companies.html Debt settlement companies are sometimes the answer to your financial woes. en-us Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EDT Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 THE DEBT PENALTY If you feel you have been sentenced to the "debt penalty" for your financial missteps, debt settlement companies may be the answer you are looking for to help you achieve a "financial equilibrium." We have all had medical bills or job layoffs that have adversely affected our ability to make the payments on the obligations that we have. If you are one of the masses who may need a form of debt settlement, you are definitely not alone, and there are more than enough debt settlement programs to go around. In order to begin your search for the right debt settlement companies, you should first start with a copy of your credit report. You can obtain these by contacting one of the three large national credit bureaus. They include Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. To contact them, you can use the information below. You are entitled to a free credit report if you have been turned down for credit in the last 60 days, or, you are afraid that your report may contain fraudulent information. Equifax----------1-800-685-1111 or go to www.equifax.com Experian--------1-888-397-3742 or go to www.experian.com Trans Union----1-800-916-8800 or go to www.transunion.com After you have received your credit report, make a detailed list of the types of debts you have. All debt settlement companies will ask you to be as exact as possible in helping them to determine the financial route that is best for your needs. The next step is determining how informed and up front the debt settlement company you choose is in negotiating your options. Make sure that they are willing to give you a written detailed explanation of exactly what your options are before you sign any contract with the any of the many debt settlement companies out there. It is very important to understand the debt settlement companies fees for all of the services that they offer. The debt settlement companies that make all of this information available are the one's that are looking out for your best interests. If you have made the decision to contact any of the debt settlement companies that are out there, don't forget to check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure that their practices are above board. Debt settlement companies can be the answer, but do your homework and understand exactly what you need from these guys, and exactly which debt settlement strategies will work for you. Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EDT