Indeed, there are hundreds of well informed, good hearted individuals that genuinely take pride in their occupation, and take very seriously their position of bringing help to people in desperate situations.

That said, there are some advisers out there whose sole reason for their involvement in the debt management industry is commission driven income, and these are the ones to watch out for.

I have listened to literally thousands of people's stories about these issues, and some of the more serious ones are shocking, but rather than going into specific cases, I have decided to feature the most commonly occurring ones. You may consider some of these tips simple, but believe me they're well worth remembering.

The things to look out for:

1. Over confidence. Any adviser who promises to deliver guarantees of frozen interest on behalf of creditors is, in all likeliness exaggerating their authority. This is a classic comforter and is designed to re-enforce your trust in them.
2. Fast Judgment. When somebody passes on advice too quickly, i.e. before they have all the facts, it is likely they had made their mind up for other reasons than your 'best advice'.
3. Financial Inaccuracies. Double check their figures, a mistake on their part will have little consequence to them, but could have a significant impact on your budget.
4. Titles. Don't be swayed by job titles, I have known of instances where 'senior' adviser meant two days in the job! True!
5. Payment Pressure. Most commission paid advisers will only receive their share when you've paid your monthly repayment, so they'll be wanting you to pay when it suits them, not you.
6. Creditor Consequences. Each creditor can react differently, depending on the size of the debt, so ask who are likely to be your problem creditors and what actions you can expect from them.
7. Other Options. Ask what other option are available to you and ask as many questions as possible about each one to test the advisers depth of knowledge. If the adviser sounds unsure, he probably is unsure. For the adviser to give informed advice they should not struggle with giving information about the other options available to you.
8. Make Notes. Jot down the key points they give you as to why other options are not suitable.
9. Second opinion. It usually pays to get a second opinion on any important decision. This is an important decision, so do your homework.
10. Under Accounting. Look out for pressure to reduce your essential living expenses. Your need for those expenses will not diminish, and will undermine your ability to afford the repayments if they are reduced.
11. Check the Fees. Most private debt management companies in the UK retain the 1st monthly payment into the program for fees. There are companies that do an excellent job for free.
12. Affordability. Commission paid advisers earn a percentage of your repayment into the program, so it is in their interests to keep your payment high. You must keep it at a realistic level for you.
13. Timetable. Ask how long it will take for the debt to be repaid through the program, and then work it out yourself. Don't be duped into being told the debt will be repaid quicker than the math indicate. (To find out how many years you will be on the program you must divide your total debt by your repayment [after the monthly fees have been deducted] and then divid
    Small Business Marketing: From Business Cards to Flyers
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    ones. You may consider some of these tips simple, but believe me they're well worth remembering.

    The things to look out for:

    1. Over confidence. Any adviser who promises to deliver guarantees of frozen interest on behalf of creditors is, in all likeliness exaggerating their authority. This is a classic comforter and is designed to re-enforce your trust in them.
    2. Fast Judgment. When somebody passes on advice too quickly, i.e. before they have all the facts, it is likely they had made their mind up for other reasons than your 'best advice'.
    3. Financial Inaccuracies. Double check their figures, a mistake on their part will have little consequence to them, but could have a significant impact on your budget.
    4. Titles. Don't be swayed by job titles, I have known of instances where 'senior' adviser meant two days in the job! True!
    5. Payment Pressure. Most commission paid advisers will only receive their share when you've paid your monthly repayment, so they'll be wanting you to pay when it suits them, not you.
    6. Creditor Consequences. Each creditor can react differently, depending on the size of the debt, so ask who are likely to be your problem creditors and what actions you can expect from them.
    7. Other Options. Ask what other option are available to you and ask as many questions as possible about each one to test the advisers depth of knowledge. If the adviser sounds unsure, he probably is unsure. For the adviser to give informed advice they should not struggle with giving information about the other options available to you.
    8. Make Notes. Jot down the key points they give you as to why other options are not suitable.
    9. Second opinion. It usually pays to get a second opinion on any important decision. This is an important decision, so do your homework.
    10. Under Accounting. Look out for pressure to reduce your essential living expenses. Your need for those expenses will not diminish, and will undermine your ability to afford the repayments if they are reduced.
    11. Check the Fees. Most private debt management companies in the UK retain the 1st monthly payment into the program for fees. There are companies that do an excellent job for free.
    12. Affordability. Commission paid advisers earn a percentage of your repayment into the program, so it is in their interests to keep your payment high. You must keep it at a realistic level for you.
    13. Timetable. Ask how long it will take for the debt to be repaid through the program, and then work it out yourself. Don't be duped into being told the debt will be repaid quicker than the math indicate. (To find out how many years you will be on the program you must divide your total debt by your repayment [after the monthly fees have been deducted] and then divi
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        have a significant impact on your budget.
    14. Titles. Don't be swayed by job titles, I have known of instances where 'senior' adviser meant two days in the job! True!
    15. Payment Pressure. Most commission paid advisers will only receive their share when you've paid your monthly repayment, so they'll be wanting you to pay when it suits them, not you.
    16. Creditor Consequences. Each creditor can react differently, depending on the size of the debt, so ask who are likely to be your problem creditors and what actions you can expect from them.
    17. Other Options. Ask what other option are available to you and ask as many questions as possible about each one to test the advisers depth of knowledge. If the adviser sounds unsure, he probably is unsure. For the adviser to give informed advice they should not struggle with giving information about the other options available to you.
    18. Make Notes. Jot down the key points they give you as to why other options are not suitable.
    19. Second opinion. It usually pays to get a second opinion on any important decision. This is an important decision, so do your homework.
    20. Under Accounting. Look out for pressure to reduce your essential living expenses. Your need for those expenses will not diminish, and will undermine your ability to afford the repayments if they are reduced.
    21. Check the Fees. Most private debt management companies in the UK retain the 1st monthly payment into the program for fees. There are companies that do an excellent job for free.
    22. Affordability. Commission paid advisers earn a percentage of your repayment into the program, so it is in their interests to keep your payment high. You must keep it at a realistic level for you.
    23. Timetable. Ask how long it will take for the debt to be repaid through the program, and then work it out yourself. Don't be duped into being told the debt will be repaid quicker than the math indicate. (To find out how many years you will be on the program you must divide your total debt by your repayment [after the monthly fees have been deducted] and then divi
        Definition Of Viral Marketing
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        epth of knowledge. If the adviser sounds unsure, he probably is unsure. For the adviser to give informed advice they should not struggle with giving information about the other options available to you.
    24. Make Notes. Jot down the key points they give you as to why other options are not suitable.
    25. Second opinion. It usually pays to get a second opinion on any important decision. This is an important decision, so do your homework.
    26. Under Accounting. Look out for pressure to reduce your essential living expenses. Your need for those expenses will not diminish, and will undermine your ability to afford the repayments if they are reduced.
    27. Check the Fees. Most private debt management companies in the UK retain the 1st monthly payment into the program for fees. There are companies that do an excellent job for free.
    28. Affordability. Commission paid advisers earn a percentage of your repayment into the program, so it is in their interests to keep your payment high. You must keep it at a realistic level for you.
    29. Timetable. Ask how long it will take for the debt to be repaid through the program, and then work it out yourself. Don't be duped into being told the debt will be repaid quicker than the math indicate. (To find out how many years you will be on the program you must divide your total debt by your repayment [after the monthly fees have been deducted] and then divi
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        ebt management companies in the UK retain the 1st monthly payment into the program for fees. There are companies that do an excellent job for free.
    30. Affordability. Commission paid advisers earn a percentage of your repayment into the program, so it is in their interests to keep your payment high. You must keep it at a realistic level for you.
    31. Timetable. Ask how long it will take for the debt to be repaid through the program, and then work it out yourself. Don't be duped into being told the debt will be repaid quicker than the math indicate. (To find out how many years you will be on the program you must divide your total debt by your repayment [after the monthly fees have been deducted] and then divide the new figure by 12.)
    32. Check your paperwork. If you are happy to continue make sure you read the agreement, warts and all, check the numbers add up and that everything is accounted for in your budget.

    Things you should prepare before you ring any company for advice:

    1. Gather together as much information relating to your debts as possible. This can be a very time consuming exercise if things aren't prepared, so get them ready and you can concentrate on the discussion.
    2. Have a copy of your wage slip with you. And also any other income related paperwork.
    3. Spend some time studying your budget. Write out all the things you spend your money on each month, but don't include your debt repayments. This is the list that may need to be trimmed, so highlight your essential living costs and don't trim these.
    4. Have plenty of time available to discuss everything in detail. This is an important issue that needs to be given the appropriate level of attention.

    Thousands of people successfully use debt management programs to help them cope with their financial obligations and pressures. Personal circumstances can change for any of a million reasons, and I imagine debt management programs will continue to be needed, so long as people use credit.

    However, if this article can keep just one person away from the reaches of these so called 'advisers' - then it will be worth the effort!