Consumer credit information resources are pertinent for consumers and collectors alike. Look at consumer credit research on how to best follow through with collections on an account. Find debt consolidation information to help pull you out of the credit hole. Look for consumer credit information services to help you determine if you can purchase a house or a car.

You can find many consumer credit resources from general information to personal credit information to help in a bad credit situation to publications on the industry and more. Whatever information you are seeking can easily found through one of the many consumer credit resources available.

To make the most of the consumer credit information resources available:

1. Start with general information on consumer credit. Understand how the field works. Learn how people can get themselves into trouble with over spending and poor funds management.

2. Look at online consumer credit resources that offer education on money management and debt consolidation services.

3. Follow-up with the most up-to-date individual credit information by ways of industry publications. Keep your finger on the pulse of the industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with basic consumer credit resources

Use consumer credit resources to understand how personal credit works, how debts are paid and how interest in accrued. Go over industry reports and find out about your own credit history.

I recommend: Check out the overview of consumer credit from the Cornell University Law School. Look at the credit industry resource from the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. They offer both credit industry and consumer resources. Get started with Equifax for credit reports, credit scores and identity theft protection. Sign up for a free seven day trial with Privacy Matters 1-2-3 and receive a free credit report and scores.

Find consumer credit resources

Take advantage of consumer credit resources to help pull yourself or your business out of debt. Seek credit counseling or debt management courses, or work on a proactive level to prevent getting over your head with credit debt.

I recommend: Look at the financial resources from American Consumer Credit Counseling. American Consumer Credit Counseling offers a wide variety of services from credit counseling and debt management to community education initiatives. Visit Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Atlanta to evaluate your credit situation. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling can help you with the threat of foreclosure, consumer debt advice and newsroom information on the subject of consumer credit. Consumer Credit Counseling Service offers budget and credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, housing programs and financial education services.

Look at consumer credit information resources on collection

Once the debt is out there, collection is the area many organizations may need the help of consumer credit information resources on. You want to make sure that your agency is following all national guidelines and that you are not harassing your consumer.

I recommend: Read about consumer credit collections and more from CreditGuru.com. Sign up for their free eNewsletter CreditMantra, a quarterly publication. Look at the rules for fair credit collection from the Federal Trade Commission, a U.S. government body that looks to protect American Consumers. See how the surge in credit cards has meant a push in credit collection from Credit Cards.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consumer credit resources are a great addition to any local meeting or chapter meeting. Have a debt consolidation specialist come in and discuss options to your group as well as cover preventative measures on how to stay out of credit debt. Any debt consolidation that has a good track record not only offers debt consolidation services but forward thinking educational services as well to help prevent credit problems.