Help With My Credit Launched by US Credit Card Issuers, Networks

“Each card issuer has long-established individual programs to help people manage their credit, but given the difficult economic environment, we have come together to get the word out that there are resources available for consumers struggling with their credit card payments,” said Joe Ganley, spokesperson for Help With My Credit.

“We understand that people may fall behind in their credit card payments for a variety of reasons. If customers have missed a card payment, or if they’re worried about a change in their financial situation, we want them to know there are actions they can take to get back on track.”

Help With My Credit will be supported by a national advertising campaign that will run on television, in national newspapers, online and in national magazines to make consumers aware of these resources and to encourage them to take advantage of the assistance available to them through issuers and counseling agencies.

The operators at the toll-free number will not provide credit counseling or collect any personally identifiable financial information from callers, but rather will inform consumers about resources available from the participating issuing banks, accredited credit counselors, and HelpWithMyCredit.org. For callers who do not have access to the Internet, a consumer brochure with useful tips and information will be provided on request.

Consumers experiencing problems with making payments related to a credit card account from one of the participating credit card issuers will be offered the opportunity to be transferred directly to that issuer. If these callers prefer not to work with their issuer directly, Help With My Credit operators will be able to connect them to an accredited credit counseling agency.

Callers to the toll-free number who have problems with multiple credit cards will be encouraged to speak with their credit card issuers or, alternatively, to speak with an accredited credit counselor. If consumers have problems with multiple types of debt beyond credit cards, they will be encouraged to speak with a credit counseling agency. If the consumer is interested in credit counseling, the Help With My Credit operator will either transfer them to one of three national credit counseling agencies or encourage them to visit HelpWithMyCredit.org for information about credit counseling and contact information for accredited counseling agencies in their area.

Three national credit counseling agencies -- Take Charge America, Money Management International, and Novadebt -- have agreed to participate in the Help With My Credit. These counseling agencies were chosen because they are non-profit organizations; accredited by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling and/or the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies, licensed and operating in all 50 states; and able to handle a large volume of calls and provide the necessary services to consumers.