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Debt Consolidation in Rhode Island
(Note: this is for educational purposes only, and although efforts have been made to keep this up to date and correct, there are no guarantees about the accuracy of anything contained below. It should not be construed as legal advice. For legal advice, please consult with an attorney licensed in Rhode Island.)

Many Rhode Island residents have found themselves in credit card debt problems in recent years. The underlying causes vary on a case by case basis, but the reality remains the same: the need for quality debt consolidation and consumer credit counseling has become gradually more important. Unfortunately, not only are people in the dark about debt management for credit cards, but they are also unaware of the protections that are in place to ensure that the services they receive are affordable and legitimate. The purpose of this page of PayingPaul.Com is to teach Rhode Island consumers about what personal debt relief solutions are here to help, as well as what to look for from a debt company.

Credit counseling is typically offered by non profit debt companies. If your situation permits, these organizations may enroll you in a debt management plan, which involves working with credit card companies to reduce your finance charges. Although your plan may be administered by a non-profit, this is no guarantee that there services are legitmate or even affordable.

Debt settlement is quite different. These companies will work on your behalf to negotiate a lump sum debt settlement. This means you can pay off your debt for less than what you actually owe. Although the promises these companies offer may be tempting, these programs are risky and a difficult process to go through. When a consumers enrolls in a settlement program, they stop paying their creditors and start saving money each month in a separate bank account until enough funds have accumulated to offer a settlement. Once this happens, the company will contact the creditors and negotiate to get them to agree to accept a lump sum, in many cases for much less than what is owed, to completely satisfy the balance. Unfortunately, because you are past due during the course of the program, your credit will be impacted, and you will experience collection activities, from annoying phone calls and threats to even litigation.

Do you want to talk to someone about how to reduce debt? Submit a form today and let PayingPaul.Com match you!

Rhode Island Debt Management Laws

Rhode Island was one of the first states to adopt the Uniform Debt Management Services Act (UDMSA). This law regulates the debt consolidation industry in the state and includes rules about what fees can be charged, what disclosures a debt contract should include, and other numerous other provisions meant to protect consumers.

Definition

Rhode Island law defines “debt management services” as “services as an intermediary between an individual and one or more creditors of the individual for the purpose of obtaining concessions.”

Fees

Debt consolidators that fall under the definition of a “debt management service” are required to abide by the following fee limits:

Credit Counselors
(a) $50 for a consultation, setting up an account, obtaining a credit report
(b) The lesser of $10 per account enrolled in the plan or $50 for a monthly service fee

Debt Negotiation Companies
(a) The lesser of $400 or 4% of the amount of debt enrolled in the program
(b) The lesser of $10 per account enrolled in the plan or $50 for a monthly service fee
(c) 30% of the savings off the principal balance at the time of settlement, which must be credited against any fees paid in reference to points (a) and (b) above

Exemptions

It should be noted that the following parties are exempt from the provisions of the Rhode Island Debt Management Act:

(a) attorneys licensed in the state
(b) certified public accountants licensed in the state
(c) financial planners licensed in the state

Registered Debt Counseling Agencies

Debt Free America

Alliance Credit Counseling

American Consumer Credit Counseling

American Debt Solutions

ClearPoint Financial Solutions

Consolidated Credit Counseling Services

CCCS of San Francisco – Consumer Credit Counseling Services

Consumer Credit Management Services

Consumer Education Services

Consumers Alliance Processing Corp

Credit Foundation of America

Cricket Debt Counseling

Debt Education and Certification Foundation

Express Consolidation

Family Financial Education Foundation

Financial Freedom Christian Counseling Services

NovaDebt Garden State Consumer Credit Counseling Services

Golden State Debt Management

GreenPath Debt Solutions

Help Ministries Inc / Debt Free

I Pay Debt Financial Services

MHRH Retirement Association

National Foundation for Debt Management

North Seattle Community College Foundation DBA American Financial Solutions

Take Charge America

The Credit Network

Other Resources Filing Bankruptcy in Rhode Island

Bankruptcy Laws in Rhode Island

Debt Collection in Rhode Island