Is credit card counseling for you? If you’ve exhausted all your loan options, find yourself using one card to pay off another and aren’t sure how much you really owe, then you had better seek out help right away! The further behind you get with bad credit debt, the harder it will be to help you. Be sure to find a company that’s legit, with a proven track record, rather than just settling on the first pop-up ad you see.

Ten years ago, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling and their affiliates at Consumer Credit Counseling Services dominated the credit card counseling scene. They worked with creditors to negotiate payment plans, debt settlements and lower interest rates for people who were slipping behind. However, the rise in consumer debt prompted hundreds of start-ups who were as savvy in the world of advertising as they were credit repair scams.

Some of the competitors, which were often called “debt settlement specialists,” charged big upfront fees to pay off multiple creditors for mere pennies on the dollar. Often, people would pay as much as $3,000 off-the-bat to get their accounts up-to-date, only to find that the debt settlers were not paying off their creditors at all! To find a legitimate business, it is recommended that you verify their identity through the Better Business Bureau and stick with one of the well-known, non-profit organizations, like the aforementioned NFCC and CCCS.

When dealing with credit card counseling services, investigate the company before signing up. You needn’t pay exorbitant upfront fees for most legitimate companies. Consumer Credit Counseling Services, for example, only charges a 10 set-up fee. If the firm isn’t affiliated with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies, then it could be a scam. If you find you have delayed or missed payments within the first month of services, then get out, as they may be pocketing your money. Also, beware of false promises to settle your debts for little or no money. If you’ve missed multiple payments over a long period of time, then you’re going to have a low credit score for the next year or two. The information will stay on your record for seven years from the initial delinquency, so patience is needed to repair your credit.

Credit card counseling may not be for everyone, but it’s worth looking into if you feel you have nowhere else to turn. The best way to resolve bad credit debt may be to declare bankruptcy or to change jobs to make more money. You’ll need to become better organized and keep track of your spending as well. The worst thing you can do is just ignore everything until you have money. Communicate with your creditors and arrange a repayment plan if you can. If not, it may be time to call the credit card debt reduction negotiators.