From: "hartman" 
Newsgroups: misc.invest.financial-plan
Subject: Credit counciling organizations
Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2006 12:14:38 -0500
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anyone dealt with credit counciling firms before? 

the article
http://www.moneysavingfreetips.com/consumer-credit-counciling.html says to
be wary of ccc firms coz:

"Thus as a consumer, you have to beware! Avoid "debt settlement" firms who
promise to completely get rid of your debt within months and who ask for a
$3000 upfront fee. These usually turn out to be scams who upon receiving
the money will run off from the country, disconnect their phones or set up
a new firm under a new name."

did you have to pay any upfront fees? did they really help in lowering
your interest payments?