Question:
Dear Steve,
Looking into debt relief companies.
Are there any reputable debt relief companies out there? Ever hear of Consumer First Financial out of Florida? I only see positive reviews. Thoughts please?
Thank you!
Cathy
Answer:
Dear Cathy,
For such a short question it is loaded and complex.
There is no doubt there are reputable debt relief companies out there. But that’s a bit of a nebulous target.
Consumers typically make the wrong decision to pick a company and solution before they really understand what is best for their given circumstances.
For example, bankruptcy might not be the best solution for someone that can afford credit counseling. But it might be the best for someone that is way behind in saving for retirement and running out of time to do so. You might want to read this post to get a closer look.
But it looks like Consumer First Financial is more focused on debt settlement. And there is a time to settle but it does not make sense for everyone.
On their website, Consumer First Financial says they are located at 32196 US Hwy 19 N Suite A, Palm Harbor, FL 34684.
Google puts that address behind an auto parts store. I have no idea if that is correct.
The AFCC states they are a member but the actual business address is 14450 46th Street N. Suite #104, Clearwater, FL 33762.
That is also the registered address of Consumer First Financial Corporation according to the State of Florida.
So what does “reputable” mean to you? Does it mean they are properly registered to do business? Or does it mean they are going to give you a broad and comprehensive review of your financial situation to then advise you about solutions, even if they don’t offer it?
If the company you are interested in is offering the solution that your research is best for you, then you can use these guides to see if they are “reputable.”
I would recommend that anyone considering using such a company should read the following free guides.
- The Ultimate Consumer Guide to Checking Out a Debt Relief Company Before You Sign On the Line
- 10 Must Do Steps to Find the Best Credit Counseling or Debt Settlement Company for You
- How to Check Out a Business or Company to Avoid Getting Scammed or Ripped Off
If you want to look at your options then use my online calculator.
One last thing, not all reviews are what you might think they are. Look at what I found in this post.
Let me know what you decide to do by posting an update in the comments below.
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Andy here with Consumer First Financial! Thank you for taking this question, Steve, and great answer. There are many debt relief companies out there that don’t follow the rules. One of the steps of our enrollment process is a 2 day waiting period after the initial consultation, this is to ensure our clients have enough time to do ALL necessary research on our company, and validate our credentials. We’re very proud to have (almost) all positive reviews, and they are certainly real 🙂 We’re also happy to give any interested parties ALL of our licensing, certification and accreditation info so they can verify everything themselves! We pride ourselves on transparency in what can be a confusing process. If a debt relief company is trying to enroll you over the phone, or before giving you time to research their company, it’s likely because they don’t want you to 😉 Thanks again, Steve.
Thank you Andy for replying.
Thank you for sharing the informative and valuable information.
Asked question on reputable company.
Answered.