Credit Help in North Carolina

Getting help for your credit challenges will remove some of the burden of attempting to fix a situation that you do not fully understand. There are various avenues to pursue for help in North Carolina. Understanding the reason you want to improve your credit now will direct you to the right resource for help.

Reasons for Help

You may need to increase your credit score for a variety of reasons. Home buying, rate reduction for insurance, even the plan to apply for a higher paying job may encourage you to seek a higher credit score. Sometimes people just want to improve their credit to have more financial flexibility, especially in case of a crisis.

State Level Support

When you have an unresolved dispute with a bank that provides credit to you, file a complaint with the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks. This office regulates most financial service providers and will facilitate a discussion between you and the institution in attempt to resolve the situation, especially if state laws have been compromised. Also, the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency and the North Carolina Department of Justice have resources to help guide you in dealing with your creditors or improving your credit situation.

Credit Counseling

Many private organizations offer credit counseling and debt management services to citizens throughout the state. There are 46 credit counseling offices in North Carolina that are certified by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, the largest financial counseling organization in the country. Several more financial counselors are certified by the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education including Raleigh-based Vision Credit Education Inc.

Financial Institutions

Your bank or credit union may have a program to help you understand your credit, and manage and reduce your debt. For example, Charlotte-based Wachovia Bank has financial specialists that will provide guidance for helping you understand options for managing your credit. Raleigh-based Coastal Federal Credit Union has partnered with a financial management program, Accel Members Financial Counseling, to provide free comprehensive support for managing not only your credit but also your household budget. Speak to a relationship manager at your financial institution to understand your benefits as a customer regarding debt assistance and money management.