“The debt settlement field is filled with scam artists who charge huge upfront fees and then fail to settle any debts.” – Liz Pulliam Weston, the author of “Your Credit Score: Your Money and What’s at Stake“

If you’ve encountered such companies that offering such debt settlement solutions – avoid it because it’s a scam!

According to Los Angeles Times, Weston says “The debt settlement field is filled with scam artists who charge huge upfront fees and then fail to settle any debts.” In fact, many debt settlement companies are getting bad press in the media after many of their clients filed complaints against them. It is because many ended up paying off more credit card debt than usual – refer to debt settlement scams.

Here’s some Weston’s advice when are struggling to pay off your huge credit card debt load:

1. Make an appointment with a legitimate credit counselor

Firstly, you have to allow a legitimate credit counselor to review your current financial situation to find out whether you’re eligible for a debt management plan – a five-year-plus low-interest rate plan that enables you to pay off your credit card debt on a regular basis. Weston suggested that you should find a counselor who is affiliated with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling – start finding a credit counseling now here.

2. Make an appointment with a bankruptcy attorney – when bankruptcy is your last resort

When there’s no other way to solve your credit card debt problems, you have to consult a bankrupt attorney to see whether filing for bankruptcy is the best option to eliminate your debt or a ideal way to avoid being sued by the creditors.

3. Start seeking reputable settlement companies when credit counseling and bankruptcy are not your best options

If both credit counseling and bankruptcy don’t really suit you – you can refer to a bankruptcy attorney for some recommendations of legitimate debt settlement companies that may be able to help you paying off debt effectively.