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Advantage Credit Counseling Service

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5.5

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: December 28th, 2024

Advantage Credit Counseling Service, a national nonprofit credit counseling agency, has been around since 1968. Advantage Credit Counseling assists in the education of consumers in order to help consumers learn how to properly manage debt. Through Advantage Credit Counseling Service, people can gain knowledge on how to responsibly use credit.

The organization is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). As part of its nonprofit mission, Advantage Credit Counseling Service helps several thousands of people each year for free. Along with confidential credit counseling, Advantage also helps people with debt management and delivers community education presentations for free.

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The Good

  • Years of Industry Experience
  • Trusted Company
  • Educational Tools and Online Resources
  • Available in All 50 States

Years of Industry Experience

Advantage Credit Counseling Service has nearly 50 years of experience with close to 1 million people assisted in their journey to financial freedom.

Not only does Advantage Credit Counseling Service have close to half a century of work, the agency's certified counselors are required to prove the knowledge over a period of time through six different NFCC certification exams.

Trusted Company

Recognized by trusted organizations in the U.S., Advantage Credit Counseling Service maintains a good image due to its accreditations and memberships.

Advantage Credit Counseling Service is a member of the NFCC. Advantage Credit Counseling Service also has the approval of the Executive Office of the United States Trustees (EOUST) to give bankruptcy certificates that are compliance with the Bankruptcy Code.

Along with maintaining relationships of trust with nationally recognized organizations, Advantage Credit Counseling Service also maintains the trusts consumers have by keeping its counseling sessions confidential.

Sessions are focused on helping consumers improve their financial situations without releasing information to the public.

Educational Tools and Online Resources

Keeping with the times, Advantage Credit Counseling Service provides educational tool access to consumers.

Consumers have access to tools that will teach them about budgeting, identity theft, and credit management. Parents can study the material with their children so entire families can learn how to properly manage finances.

Available in All 50 States

Advantage Credit Counseling Service is available in all 50 states. Many competitors have limited availability. 

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The Bad

  • No Money-Back Guarantee
  • No Contract

No Money-Back Guarantee

While Advantage Credit Counseling Service provides many free resources, the organization does not provide a money back guarantee on its paid services.

Consumers who are disappointed in what they receive from Advantage Credit Counseling Service do not have the opportunity to receive a refund. This factor may be enough to turn away potential consumers who want to have full confidence in services rendered by Advantage Credit Counseling Service.

No Contract

Advantage Credit Counseling Service also does not have a contract/service agreement available for consumers looking to regain control of their finances.

The reason why the lack of a contract is not preferable is there is the possibility of reduced accountability.

There is nothing in writing for the consumer to fall back if Advantage Credit Counseling Service does meet the expectations of the consumer. Another reason why no contract is not good is the lack of safeguards as well as the protection of personal information.

If a consumer backs out of his/her verbal agreement with Advantage Credit Counseling Service, Advantage Credit Counseling Service is legally obligated to inform creditors. Doing so will increase the chances of keeping the consumer at their interest rates they had before working with Advantage Credit Counseling Service. 

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The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, Advantage Credit Counseling Service has proven that it can withstand the test of several decades. It has been reliable to more than a million consumers since the 1960's helping consumers improve their financial status and better manage debt.

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Star Rating

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4.3

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18 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

67%

4 grade

17%

3 grade

6%

2 grade

0%

1 grade

11%

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Diana Lambert

I'm a single older woman and grandmother and this is the first time I've ever been in this situation. They made it so much worse. It was a terrible experience. The rep was rude and impatient and stated I had $1500 per month "extra" to pay back my credit card debt already, which just isn't true. The way they gather your budget information is unprofessional and odd. I walked away from the interaction even more depressed and frightened than when I started. They ended up proposing a 10% interest loan over 5 years, not much better than I'm already doing for my credit card. Plus, when you go with them, your credit cards are shut down and you get an additional ding on your credit score. Earlier in my conversation with the company, I was offered 2.5% so I have no idea why there was a change. They just asked me my budget in a high pressure sales tactic way with no preparation or idea how long this would take--I had no idea they needed a detailed budget from me until I was about 15 minutes into the phone call. I had no idea they would base everything on the budget. Without telling me anything, they just rapidly tossed me a question about each budget item and left out a lot. Maybe some people can do this, but I don't know the numbers off the top of my head. I have it written down. Instead of telling me to take my time and figure out all the numbers, they pressured me to just tell them then and there. I forgot many things in the pressure and even forgot my second job. (She implied I deliberately lied. As I said, it was a terrible experience.) The woman was very impatient and judgmental and told me I "should" have $1500 per month leftover and my problem was budgeting. First of all, Ok. I know my problem is budgeting. Why else am I here? But second of all, I don't have $1500 left over a month. Instead of her wondering what she might be missing in my budget, she told me I could pay off the debt. How? She told me she'd give me suggestions, but the document she sent had no suggestions or tips at all. The whole thing was a very high stress situation and I had to gather my courage to call in the first place. Then to get this response was extremely demoralizing. No way am I signing anything with them.

2 weeks ago

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Karen Simpson Monroeville, PA

When I initially signed up with ACCS, I had 10 credit cards, downsized and unemployed. Without question, I did not feel as if I would ever be able to pay off my credit cards. ACCS presented me with a manageable plan, reduced interest rates that would allow me to achieve that goal in 3 years and 10 months. On June 26, 2015 I made my FINAL PAYMENT. What a wonderful feeling to be Credit Card Debt Free!!! ACCS was wonderful throughout the process and the new skills I learned about budgeting, and living within my means were priceless lessons. Thank you so much, I constantly recommend the service to my friends who find themselves in similar situations, in addition to visiting the website for financial life lessons. I cannot Thank You enough, plus I am confident in my ability to be fiscally responsible in my future endeavors.

9 years ago

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Be Smart

This credit counseling service is legit!!! How have they helped me. From the most horrible credit score to $30,000 in debt, they fix my credit with a great payment plan and I was able to pay off my debt. 2 years later, I build a home, 4 years later am in a better state of mind. Peace of mind.

1 year ago

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David Taylor Altoona, PA

They negotiated well with my creditors. All collections stopped bothering us right away. We got a good plan and kept it and are free today after hard work. Everything was paid on time and according to plan. I trusted them and they did not disappoint. They helped me when we had an income change and kept all their promises.

9 years ago

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Joan Seltzer Pittsburgh, PA

Advantage Credit Counseling was very easy to deal with. Getting out of debt is not something that goes by quickly, but they were able to negotiate a payment that fit my budget so that I could pay off all my bills. I'm so glad I went with them.

9 years ago

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Ellen Mckeesport, PA

It was a very easy process. One visit to an office and the rest was direct debited from my account. I also appreciate that I didn't feel like I was hiding out from my creditors. Its a very respectable process. It was a pleasure to deal with such qualified, knowledgable people.

9 years ago

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Amanda James Uniontown, PA

Can't say enough good things about working with this company to get our finances back under control. We are excited to be completed with the program and hope to continue with the lessons we have learned along the way.

9 years ago

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Joseph Pappas

They refuse to file certificates of completion with the court, creating excessive work for debtors' counsel, and creating risk that case will close without discharge

3 months ago

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Phyllis Gray Pittsburgh, PA

We never had a problem in the 5 years that we had our consolidation. Our only reqret is that we didn't contact you sooner. We would definitely recommend you to others ,

9 years ago

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donna cox Somerset, PA

I have been very pleased with your service. All contacts were courteously received, the staff pleasant to speak with , and questions answered promptly. Thank you for your service.

9 years ago

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Joyce Johnstown, PA

I really liked the way Advantage Credit Counseling helped me put together a plan. I am just sorry I have to opt out of your program

9 years ago

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catherine serre Cresson, PA

I was very satisfied with the company. They kept me on track on the road to debt freedom

9 years ago

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Review Source

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Lisa King Davis Baton Rouge, LA

Advantage has a really good consolidation plan that works great with your monthly income. Nice people all the time

2 years ago

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Cindy Butler, PA

Thank you ACCS for helping me clear my debts! I am so grateful and relieved!!

9 years ago

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Sharon Myers Indiana, PA

I don't think we would have ever gotten out of debt with ACC. Thank you!

9 years ago

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Julie S. Erie, PA

5 stars!!!

9 years ago

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toni norris Stone Mountain, GA

I was told in the beginning that my plan would be 36 months but turned out to be 41

9 years ago

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Dennis Nolan Harrisburg, PA

Thank you

9 years ago