Disclosures
Advisory Credit Management, Inc. is a non-profit community service agency dedicated to providing professional financial education, and confidential counseling. Counseling is available through the Internet. Services are available to any member of the community without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender, social position, handicap, financial status or ability to pay. All client information is held in strict confidence by Advisory Credit Management, Inc. in compliance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Privacy Act except as authorized to be release by the client.
Funding Sources
Advisory Credit Management, Inc. receives the majority of its funding from grants from private foundations and corporations who support our counseling and educational services and program. Client fees for various services and programs offered to the public to cover the cost of providing the service or program may also be sought
Counselor Qualifications
All counselors that are assisting and facilitating course content are employees of Advisory Credit Management, Inc. Counselor qualifications include a BS or BA Degree and three to five years experience in a counseling, lending or credit-related field. Counselors are required to obtain certification through the counselor certification program approved by the Institute for Financial Literacy. Counselors at Advisory Credit Management, Inc. are required to have their certification within six month of hire for which they received the “Certified Personal Financial Counselor” designation.
Impact on Credit Report
Advisory Credit Management, Inc. does not disclose or provide to a credit reporting agency information concerning whether an individual client has received or sought credit counseling concerning personal financial management from the agency. Filing Bankruptcy is reported as a matter of public record and this may impact your credit reports and scores. Please check with your legal counsel regarding this matter.
Cost of Services
Advisory Credit Management, Inc. charges fees for some services to cover the cost of providing the service. Advisory Credit Management, Inc. charges a fee for the Pre-Petition Credit Counseling Briefing and issuance of the Certificate and for Compliance that is required to be filed with the Bankruptcy Court. The fee is due and payable at the time of service.
The fee for this service is no more than the client’s ability to pay and no more than $50. If you are unable to pay the fee, the counseling will be provided at a reduced fee or at no charge if you are determined impoverish as described in the Fee Waiver disclosure below. We accept VISA, MasterCard, Amex, and VISA or MasterCard branded debit cards.
Fee Schedule:
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Pre-Petition Credit Counseling Online Briefing |
Pre-Petition Credit Counseling Online Briefing
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Individual Session: $30
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Joint Session: $30 |
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Pre-Petition Credit Counseling Telephonic Briefing |
Pre-Petition Credit Counseling Telephonic Briefing
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Individual Session: $50 |
Joint Session: $50
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Although a counselor may answer general questions about bankruptcy, the agency does not provide legal or tax advice. If legal or tax advice is needed, you should seek the appropriate assistance from an attorney or tax professional.
Fee Waiver
Advisory Credit Management, Inc, participating as a credit counseling provider agrees to waive their respective fees if the debtor student has income less than 150 percent of the poverty guidelines last published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/10poverty.shtml) applicable to a family of the size and in the state involved.
PLEASE NOTE:
- The income for comparison to the poverty guidelines is the "Total Combined Monthly Income" as reported (or as will be reported) on Line 16 of Schedule I of the bankruptcy petition.
- Non-cash governmental assistance (such as food stamps or housing subsidies) is not included in calculating debtor income.
- The income of a spouse is included in calculating income whether or not a joint petition is filed, unless the spouses are separated and a joint petition is not filed.
- The income of any other family member listed on Schedule I as a dependent also is included.
Please consult with your attorney to see if you qualify. If your attorney cannot help you, or you do not have legal representation, call the Advisory Credit Management, Inc., Customer Service Line at 1-800-786-3940 to see if you qualify for a waiver.
To arrange for a waiver, please forward a written request for the waiver along with evidence of any and all income to:
Advisory Credit Management Inc. ATTN: Fee Waivers
Email: info@advisorycreditmanagement.org
Fax: 800-274-7187
Mail: 5769 West Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33313
Other Disclosures
- The fee charged for the course will be no greater than the client’s ability to pay and no greater than $50 individually or jointly.
- The course is offered regardless of the client's ability to pay.
- Course materials are provided through the Internet via an interactive learning module. The briefing can be accessed 24 hours a day / 7 days a week and 365 days a year. The Agency does not pay or receive fees or other consideration for the referrals.
- The Advisory Credit Management Inc. supervisors and leaders have been providing credit counseling for thirteen years.
- Upon successful completion of the briefing, the approved Agency will issue a certificate of completion to the client.
- You may have authorized your attorney to order an online credit counseling briefing on your behalf and further authorized your attorney, in his discretion, to share this document with the Bankruptcy Court appointed trustee, to facilitate a more efficient administration of your bankruptcy case. If you want to revoke this authorization contact your attorney immediately or ACM at our toll free number.
- ACM’s hours of operation are 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM EST Mon-Thurs, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM EST Fri-Sat, Closed Sunday
- If you are disabled as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, Advisory Credit Management arranged for assistance to be provided to you by the Message Relay Center. You can access this service by calling 1-877-627-3529
- For Oregon students only, Advisory Credit Management has obtained a $25,000.00 bond from the North American Specialty Insurance Company, 1200 Arlington Heights Road Suite 400 Itasca, IL 60143-2526 Surety Bond Number 2092872, for the purpose of providing Pre Filing Credit Counseling briefs to Oregon students accordance with the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2005. Any Oregon student who suffers damages as a result of a violation of any provisions or ORS 646.380 to 646.398 and 646.608 or any rule adopted by the Director of the Corporations of the Oregon Secretary of State pursuant to ORS 646.382 to 646.398 shall have a right of action under this bond. An action on the bond may be brought by the state or by any consumer filing a complaint in a court of competent jurisdiction not later than after one year of the surety bond is cancelled or terminated.
If you reside in the State of Oregon, and agree to the terms and conditions of the preceding disclosure, you need to print the disclosure and fax the signed copy to 800-274-7187. Upon receipt, an agent will contact you and process your order.
If you do not agree to the preceding disclosures, do not order the course, or you can arrange for a refund by contacting us at:
Advisory Credit Management Inc.
ATTN: Refunds
Email: info@advisorycreditmanagement.org
Fax: 800-274-7187
Mail: 5769 West Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33313