Are Consumer Credit Counseling Services beneficial?

Yes, these nonprofit services are established to aid low to moderate income consumers improve their credit and financial situation. If you are in inevitability of credit counseling, I recommend visiting one of these agencies in being. You will want to find one nearby that has a suitable rating with the Better Business Bureau.

I think they can be beneficial to someone who is experiencing financial difficulties or someone who may be considering bankruptcy.

If you are already surrounded by dire straits managing your debt then credit counseling might be beneficial. However, if you have not default on any debt or have not fallen more than 30 days down on a payment then you might want to be guarded before you committ. Many times these services will negotiate with credit card companies for lower rates and/or payments. Often the cost of this to you is that your debtors more or smaller amount 'own' your credit and may start reporting you as slow pay, a delinquent account, etc. The certainty that you are in consumer credit counseling will also appear on your credit report which most potential lenders view negatively when considering a loan. However, if you are slow contained by making payments and receiving calls from lenders next you might consider it. Just make certain you are ably informed before signing anything!!

There are also many different credit counseling agencies out at hand. I would ask fro references or a website to visit to find out exactly what their exceptional approach is to helping you. Many are nothing more than legal scam.

they can be helpful, however the certainty that you use them will show up on your credit report just like file bankruptcy (sp?). They really dont do anything you cant do yourself with a lil research, but if you dont enjoy the time or energy and dont mind the blotch on your credit report they can help you out.

yes

Nope.
You will find with research that the companies often rip stale or screw up your credit often.
pop in DaveRamsey.com to learn what the bankers don't want you to know.
Oh Credit counseling is treated as if you filed ruin for 7 yrs if you want to buy a house.
Best way to finish your credit problems - turn your TV radio electronic toys off . Get two more job make money pay bills and never get into debt slavery again. Sell anything you have no blood relations with. Get a salaried car .
Learn what the poor inist on not learning, unless you close to debt.

Answer:
Yes, they can help but there have been a lot of corruption within the credit counseling industry. You just need to gross sure they are looking out for your best interest.

There was a new directive passed earlier this year that is trying to verbs up the credit counseling industry. It is worth knowing the new laws in the past you pick an agency. (See source below...)

Yes - they help a lot of general public.