![\"Gail](\"https:\/\/nomoredebts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Gail-Vaz-Oxlade.jpg\")
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\nOn her Toronto based radio show, The Late Shift Gail Vaz-Oxlade, host of the popular TV shows Til Debt Do Us Part<\/em><\/a> and Princess<\/em><\/a>, asked Scott Hannah, President & CEO of the non profit Credit Counselling Society, how to tell the difference between top quality credit counselling services and those that aren\u2019t.<\/em><\/p>\n Gail was curious, \u201cHow do I know when I pick up the telephone and call any organization that labels itself credit counselling . . . how do I distinguish between the good credit counsellors and the crappy credit counsellors?\u201d<\/p>\n Scott agreed that with something as important as your money, you need to know who you\u2019re dealing with. Here is how:<\/p>\n Scott explained that the Credit Counselling Society requires their Counsellors to become certified through the Accredited Financial Counsellor Canada Program<\/a> which is administered by the Association for Financial Counselling and Planning Education<\/a>.<\/p>\n Gail asked Scott how to tell the difference between agencies because she was concerned that \u201cthere are some credit counsellors out there who do not have the consumer\u2019s best interest at heart.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking for many consumers, Gail stated that, \u201cThe big frustration is we can\u2019t tell the good guys from the not so good guys. If there was some way that we could identify people like you [and your staff] who are clearly focused on the best interest of the client\u201d that would clearly help consumers.<\/p>\n One of the concerns Gail asked Scott about is that some credit counselling agencies aren\u2019t doing enough to educate consumers. Because of this, their debt repayment programs have high recidivism rates (where people have to repeat their program because they didn\u2019t learn how to manage their debt and finances properly the first time).<\/p>\n In sharing Gail\u2019s concern, Scott explained that the Credit Counselling Society has \u201csat down with over 200,000 consumers. We\u2019ve help over 15,000 reorganize their debts on a repayment program. Our recidivism rate is 7. Not 7 percent. 7 people. We don\u2019t want repeats [on our program]. We want people to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n This kind of success is a far cry from what Gail said she hears about\u00a0some other credit counselling organizations. Gail says, \u201cI\u2019ve gotten loads of letters from people who have gone through credit counselling and they have not been rehabilitated.\u201d She said that one lady even sent her a message yesterday saying, \u201cFive years in credit counselling. Didn\u2019t learn a thing. Had to learn from your show.\u201d<\/p>\n Scott responded by confidently stating, \u201cthat wasn\u2019t one of our clients.\u201d Gail admitted that it wasn\u2019t but she still wanted to know, \u201cAs a consumer (who is) shopping (for a credit counselling service) how do I tell the good from the bad?\u201d<\/p>\n Gail asked Scott why a consumer should go to a free, non-profit credit counsellor as opposed to a bankruptcy trustee.\u00a0Scott answered by sharing that his organization actually refers a lot of people to bankruptcy trustees when that appears to be the best solution for an individual\u2019s financial situation.<\/p>\n However, he went on to admit, \u201cIt frustrates me that more people wouldn\u2019t come to us at an earlier stage of difficulty when all they need is a budget tune-up, as opposed to struggling and waiting until the very end when there are no other options but bankruptcy. . . Bankruptcy deals with the symptoms of a person\u2019s debt, not the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n Scott continued by sharing, \u201cIt\u2019s always been my experience that 99.9% of our population wants to be responsible, wants to maintain and regain their good credit rating. Some people just need help.\u201d<\/p>\n The interview ended with Scott reflecting on why top credit counselling organizations provide the best service. \u201cWe always keep our clients firmly in front of us. The moment we lose sight of why we are in operation, we are no good to that consumer anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n If you would like help to get your finances back on track and help to put together a plan to get out of debt you can contact the Credit Counselling Society at 1-888-527-8999. In Toronto you can reach the Credit Counselling Society<\/a> at 647-776-0485.<\/p>\n To listen to the interview press play on the audio bar below or visit Gail’s radio show page on Newstalk 1010 and go to the March 4, 2013 broadcast (skip forward to 1:05:18 for the start of the interview).<\/p>\nHow to Tell the Difference Between a Good and Not-So-Good Credit Counselling Company<\/h2>\n
1. Find out if the organization is licensed in the province in which it operates.<\/h3>\n
\n
2. Find out if the organization has any complaints against them.<\/h3>\n
\n
3. Ask if their Counsellors are certified.<\/h3>\n
\n
4. Ask if the organization is accredited by a recognized national non-profit association.<\/h3>\n
\n
Gail was Curious<\/h3>\n
How Successful are Credit Counselling Services?<\/h2>\n
Why Speak with a Top Rated Free Non Profit Credit Counselling Agency Before a Bankruptcy Trustee?<\/h2>\n
No One Wants to Have Debt Troubles | Get Help from a Non Profit Credit Counselling Service<\/h2>\n
How to Listen to the Interview<\/h3>\n
Related<\/h3>\n