Links:
AARP
AARP is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to addressing the
needs and interests of persons 50 and older through information,
education, advocacy and service.
http://www.aarp.org
AnnualCreditReport.com
This following central site allows you to request a free credit file disclosure, commonly
called a credit report, once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer
credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
http://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
Bankrate.com
Lists current interest rates for credit cards and other lenders; includes
breaking financial news and articles about credit use and abuse.
http://www.bankrate.com
Better Business Bureau
BBB reports provide information on over 2.5 million organizations. The
BBB provides business reliability reports, dispute resolution, truth-in-advertising,
consumer and business education and charity review.
http://www.bbb.org
Clark Howard
Clark Howard is the nation's foremost consumer advocate, and the
fourth-most listened to radio talk show host in the country. When it comes to debt,
Clark has always empowered consumers to seek advice
from CCCS when they can't handle it on their own.
http://www.clarkhoward.com
College Savings Plans Network
CSPN provides an invaluable networking opportunity for all state officials to
gather and share their unique innovations and experiences in an effort to improve
Section 529 state college savings plans and in turn, help the youth of this nation
attain the educational goals.
http://www.collegesavings.org/
Crown Financial Ministries
Equipping people worldwide to learn, apply, and teach God’s financial principles
so they may know Christ more intimately, be free to serve Him, and help fund
the Great Commission.
http://www.crown.org
Federal Consumer Information Center
The FCIC serves as a trusted, one-stop source for answers to questions about
Federal agencies, programs and services. The specially trained staff can answer
questions in English and Spanish about all aspects of the Federal government or
direct callers to an appropriate contact.
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov
Federal Reserve Board
http://www.federalreserve.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Provides information about consumer protection, antitrust/competition,
economic issues, and themarketplace.
http://www.ftc.gov
Georgia Dept. of Banking and Finance
The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (Department) is the
state agency that regulates and examines banks, credit unions and trust
companies which are chartered by the State. The Department also has regulatory
and/or licensing authority over mortgage brokers and lenders, check cashers,
sale of check companies, money transmitters, international banking organizations,
and bank holding companies conducting business in Georgia.
http://www.ganet.org/dbf/dbf.html
IRS- Understanding Taxes
The Internal Revenue Service provides a handy glossary to help you understand
financial and tax related terminology.
http://www.irs.gov/app/understandTaxes/jsp/tools_glossary.jsp#link_to_A
National Foundation for Credit Counseling
The NFCC sets the national standard for quality credit counseling, debt reduction
services and education for financial wellness.
http://www.nfcc.org
Savingforcollege.com
Savingforcollege.com is your best source for objective information about
Section 529 college savings plans and other ways to save and pay for college.
We do not sell investments or offer individual investment advice. Instead, we
compile and analyze the information that will help parents and financial professionals
ease the pain of constantly rising tuition.
http://www.savingforcollege.com
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Downloadable/Interactive information:
The following links will download information in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
The CCCS Client Handbook
(File Size: 4.1Mgbs)
The CCCS Statement of Services
(File Size: 106 kbs)
The CCCS Privacy Statement
(File Size: 116 kbs)
The CCCS Debt Management Application
Download the Debt Management Application. Print it, fill it out, mail or fax it back in at your convenience.
Apply On-line Now:
Wanna get started right now? Fill out our On-Line Debt Management Application and we will begin
processing your information for your appointment. Click below to be directed to our on-line
Debt Management Application.
If you don't have the Adobe Reader, click on the Download Adobe Link to
donwload/install it on your machine . It's fast and easy to do.
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CCCS Legal Statements:
Statement of Services
CCCS will provide a confidential comprehensive personal
money management interview.
CCCS will conduct an interview by a certified consumer credit counselor
or qualified professional counselor. All action plans not conducted by a certified
consumer credit counselor will be reviewed by a certified consumer credit counselor.
CCCS has created a Complaint Resolution Process, in the event
of customer dissatisfaction.
Most of CCCS' funding comes from voluntary contributions from creditors
who participate in Debt Management Plans ("DMP"). Since creditors have a
financial interest in getting paid, most are willing to make a contribution to
help fund our agency. These contributions are usually calculated as a percentage
of payments you would make through your DMP -- up to fifteen percent (15%) of
each payment received. Accounts with client creditors are always be credited with
one hundred percent (100%) of the amount the client pays through us. CCCS will
work with our clients' creditors regardless of whether they contribute to our agency.
CCCS, its employees, agents and volunteers are held harmless from any claim, suit,
action, or demand of client creditors, the client or any other person resulting from
advice or counseling. Nothing herein shall apply to actions or claims under the
provision of the United States Bankruptcy Code II U.S.C. Sec. 101 et seq.
CCCS will provide a written assessment outlining a suggested client action plan
which will be based on the following options:
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The Client will handle any financial concerns on their own.
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The Client will enroll in the agency's Debt Management Plan.
Our DMPs serve the dual role of helping our clients repay their debts
and helping creditors to receive the money owed to them.
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The Client's participation in a debt repayment program may change
information, which is already on their credit report. If their credit report
reflects that the client has paid creditors as agreed in the past, a Debt
Management Plan could have a negative impact on a credit worthiness
decision by a potential creditor, landlord, or employer in the future.
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In addition, creditors may report that the client is on a Debt Management
Plan and is not paying as originally agreed although they have accepted
the reduced payment.
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The Client is aware that debts to creditors they repay through the plan
may be able to be discharged through bankruptcy. Counselors cannot
provide legal advice.
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The Client will be referred to the other services of the organization or
another agency or agencies as appropriate that may be able to assist
with particular problems that have been identified.
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At sometime in the future, the Client's information may be used for
confidential research and/or a neutral third party may contact the Client
to request an evaluation of the agency's services.
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Client Bill of Rights
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We pledge that our clients have the right:
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To prompt counseling services for managing money based on their financial situation
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To treatment with dignity and respect
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To be actively involved in a comprehensive assessment of their financial situation
including an appropriate action plan
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To express dissatisfaction through a Complaint Resolution Process
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To discontinue their relationship with CCCS at any time
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To ask questions and to have concerns addressed
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Complaint Resolution Process
We are committed to providing you with high quality professional services.
However, if you are not satisfied with the services provided or if you want
to make a complaint, we ask that you follow these guidelines.
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Step One: Try to resolve the issue with the staff member involved -
giving him or her specific information about your complaint.
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Step Two: If Step One is not possible or the issue is not resolved
to your satisfaction, request a complaint/grievance form from any
staff member at CCCS, 409 North Jackson Street, Albany, GA 31701.
Complete and return the complaint/grievance form to CCCS.
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Step Three: CCCS may request a meeting with you
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(phone or face-to-face) or seek more information from a staff person.
CCCS will respond within 15 days.
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Step Four: If your issue is still unresolved, you may appeal in writing directly to
Irma Whitten, the Chief Executive Officer of CCCS. After additional fact finding,
the C.E.O. will provide a concluding decision to you within 15 days.
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Non-Discrimination Policy
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southwest Georgia, Inc. serves all
members of the community. We do not engage in the practices of discrimination
in the selection and participation of clients in our programs or services with respect to race,
religion, color, gender, age, national origin, handicap or financial status.
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Privacy Notice
Our agency is committed to assuring the privacy of individuals and/or families
who have contacted us for assistance. We assure you that all information shared
both orally and in writing will be managed within legal and ethical considerations.
Your 'personal financial information', such as your total debt information, income,
living expenses and personal information concerning your financial circumstances,
will be provided to creditors and possibly others with your specific authorization.
We may also use aggregated case file information for the purpose of evaluating
our services, gathering valuable research information and designing future programs.
Your anonymity will be maintained through the use of your client number or by
using aggregate data in all circumstances.
In all other situations, your information may be released to appropriate individuals
or agencies ONLY UPON YOUR WRITTEN REQUEST OR when our staff has been
served by a valid subpoena.
The following PRIVACY PRACTICES detail circumstances under which we will
release your information to a third party:
1. We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our
customers or former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law.
2. We may compile data and aggregate information that you give to us,
but this information may not be disclosed in a manner that would personally
identify you in any way.
3. We may disclose some or all of the information that we collect, as described
below, to creditors, or third parties that you have authorized who need this
information in order for us to assist you after a counseling session.
4. We may disclose all of the information that we collect, as described
below, to creditors and related financial institutions that need this information
in order to put you on a debt solver program (DSP).
5. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those
employees who need to know that information to provide services to you. We
maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal
regulations to guard your nonpublic personal information.
6. We collect nonpublic personal information about you from the following sources:
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Information we received from you on our applications or other forms you provide;
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Information about your transactions with us, your creditors, or others; and
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Information we receive from a credit reporting agency.
7. We may disclose the following kinds of nonpublic personal information about you:
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Information we receive from you on applications or other forms,
such as your name, address, social security number, assets, and income;
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Information about your transactions with us, your creditors, or others,
such as your account balance, payment history, parties to transactions
and credit card usage; and
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Information we receive from a credit reporting agency, such as your credit history.
Confidentiality Policy
"It is the policy of CCCS of Southwest Georgia to preserve the privacy of
all clients by safeguarding all information and communication between those
who seek services and those who provide services. The Agency recognizes
that each staff member and volunteer has a responsibility to protect communications
obtained in the exercise of duties. Further, the agency will take appropriate steps to
define, protect and safeguard the client against unauthorized access to information
obtained in the provision of services. These safeguards will include: physical,
procedural and legal protections. Those who seek services from CCCS of Southwest
Georgia may be given access to material generated by the agency in their cases in
accordance with agency procedures on confidentiality."
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Copyright
All content Copyright ©2006, 2007 Consumer Credit Counseling Service.
All rights reserved. Consumer Credit Counseling Service, its brand symbol
and logotype are protected trademarks and are the property of their
respective owner.
Site design, maintenance & hosting by
The Studios of Bryan Haynes, Inc.
All proprietary software Copyright ©2006 The Studios of Bryan Haynes, Inc.
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