Depending on the method of payment, money orders/cashiers checks are distributed the next business day after payment is received. Personal checks are distributed on the 5th business day after payment is received.

The most recommended form of payment is the automatic recurring payment that comes out of your checking or savings account via ACH monthly. This option will keep your payments timely and consistent, and ensure your creditors are receiving funds by your due date(s). You can also send a cashier's check, money order, or personal check. Please be advised that there is always a five business day hold on personal checks. CCMS is not responsible for any delays via U.S. Postal Service. Please make a note that we do not accept cash in a form of a payment.

You can always send extra money for any of the accounts on the debt management program to Debthelper.com. Please email dmp.ops@debthelper.com with the specific details.

It depends on the due date that was selected at the time of joining the debt management program. Please refer to your signed Agreement of Service or you may email us at dmp.ops@debthelper.com.

Nothing that we do at CCMS will negatively impact your credit score directly. We do not report your participation to credit bureaus. However, each creditor’s policy varies. Some creditors will report that you are participating on a DMP and some will show that you have elected to close your account. However, nothing will impact your score more than your own actions while on your DMP. And nothing will have a more positive impact on your credit score than consistent monthly payments.

Remember, our goal here at CCMS is to help you become debt-free in the quickest and most efficient way possible. In order for us to do that, you must include all of your unsecured accounts on the program. This is a requirement of your creditors, who will monitor the activity on your credit report while you are on the program. If you use any credit cards or department store cards, they may withdraw from the program and you will lose the benefits they have provided.

Before your creditors extend special benefits like lower interest rates and waived late fees, you must first be consistent with your payments through CCMS. Most creditors start granting benefits upon acceptance of your proposals. However, some creditors can take up to three consecutive payments before offering full benefits. That’s why it is so important to carefully review your monthly creditor statements. When benefits are granted, they will be reflected on your statement. You should also check each month to make sure that you are receiving credit for payments made through CCMS.

• Make your payments on time. E-Pay is the best and easiest way to ensure your payments are timely, since the amount is automatically deducted from you account on the day you specify—no chance of mail delays or forgetting to obtain a money order or cashiers check on time.
• Review your creditors’ statements. It is your responsibility to check your statements to see if creditors have reduced interest rates and waived fees (if applicable), and to see that your payments are being applied correctly. It can take up to three months for these benefits to be applied. CCMS does not see or receive copies of your creditor statements. Should you notice that an account has been turned over to a collection agency or that a creditor has changed an account number or address, let us know immediately. Keep your statements organized for reference by filing them in your Welcome Kit binder
• Stay in touch. We’re here for you. Contact your Personal Care Counselor should you have any questions or need additional counseling.
• Do not make payments directly to your creditors. Send all payments, including any late or extra payments you might be able to make, directly to CCMS. If you decide to pay your creditor directly they may elect to drop you from the debt management program and reverse your benefits.
• Do not apply for or accept any additional credit. Doing so could mean being dropped from your program and could hinder your success. We know credit offers can be tempting, but opening new credit at this time could result in your not being able to afford the additional payment. Remember, you’re trying to pay down your debt, not increase it!
• Keep your personal information up to date. Keeping your personal information up-to-date will enable CCMS to provide the best possible service. Contact your Personal Care Counselor immediately with any changes to your name, address, telephone number, or e-mail address.
• Never miss or make a late payment. Doing so could mean your benefits will be revoked, plus your reduced interest rates may be raised and/or late fees could be imposed.

We want you to understand that all of the information that you provide for us is completely confidential. Your Social Security Number is necessary for us to complete your enrollment. In order for your creditors to accept our proposal, we must verify with them only three things: your account number with them, your Social Security Number and finally your date of birth.

Creditors strongly suggest that all accounts be placed into the program. There is no limit to the amount of unsecured (credit card) accounts that may be placed on the CCMS Debt Management program. Creditors are very willing to extend benefits when they know a consumer is earnestly trying to get out of debt. Placing all credit cards on the program demonstrates an earnest commitment to repaying one's debts. If a consumer only places a few cards on the program, then debt management is not complete. Our experience also tells us that the successful graduates of our program include all of their debts.

If the payments will be made from a bank account other than your own, we must first receive a letter from the bank account holder stating that he or she authorizes it. Also, you must be sure to include your complete name and Social Security number on the check to ensure it is posted to your CCMS account with no problems.

As promised, the collection calls will eventually stop. However, in some cases it takes approximately three consecutive payments from Debthelper.com, on your behalf, before the calls stop completely. Should a creditor call, please inform them that you are working with Debthelper.com. If they call again, notify your counselor at 1-800-920-2262 x8200, and they will contact the creditor. It’s important not to ignore any mailings or calls from your creditors and please keep us informed of any concern you might have as soon as possible.

NSF stands for Non-Sufficient Funds. An NSF fee is assessed if your payment to CCMS is returned by your bank for non-payment. The amount of the fee has increased to $25.

Yes. However, if you do decide to quit the program, the interest rates will go back to what they were before you started plus your creditors may start charging you late fees.

Each creditor requires a minimum payment to qualify you for the program. All creditors have different requirements for acceptance. The payment is based on your particular mix of creditors and your balances.

When you completed your enrollment, we notified your listed creditors that you joined a debt management program. This notification, called a proposal, includes the account number and open balance you provided at the time of your enrollment, as well as the program payment indicated on your Repayment Schedule. In most cases, creditors accept proposals. When no changes are necessary, creditors will not formally respond to us. On occasion, a creditor may decline a proposal based on an invalid account number, an incorrect open balance, or creditor information. If this occurs, we will notify you of any requested changes to your account, including a possible payment increase.
If you are receiving collection calls, the collection agent may not be aware of a proposal from our program until the benefits are granted.

Your creditors have the right to take you to court even if you are enrolled in a debt management program (DMP). Contact us immediately if this happens. If you do have to go to court, your payment history on the DMP can serve as evidence of your good faith effort to repay your debt.

Provided you have complied with the terms, you may have re-established good credit and may be eligible for various types of loans or credit cards.

By signing up with CCMS, you are taking a positive step in your life to get out of debt. Making charges to your credit card accounts, while you are on the program, only creates more obstacles to be overcome as you are working to achieve your goal of becoming debt free. Depending upon their policies, your creditors may close your credit card accounts. CCMS recommends that you don’t use your credit cards, and every effort is made beforehand in preparing your budget to make sure your payment plans are realistic and offer you some financial breathing space. Nevertheless, after enrollment in a program, some creditors will reestablish your credit based on your current ability to pay and your payment history while still in the plan. It depends on the creditor and their policies.

If you have to miss a payment please let us know. If a creditor calls we will tell them that you are having difficulty making a payment. However it’s very important that you make your payments on time because if you miss a payment to us we can’t pay your creditors for that month. Also all missed payments should be made up as early as possible.

Yes. All the bills are still in your name, and the creditor statements still come to you. Don't forget to update your address with your creditors in case you move so that you continue to receive statements from them. Any payment that CCMS makes on your behalf will show up on your statements from the creditors. Please let us know as soon as possible if your creditor statement does not show the benifits you receive on debt management program. You will also receive monthly statements from us (either by U.S. mail or email) showing how much you have paid and to whom the money was sent.