ClearPoint

Credit Counseling Solutions

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ClearPoint Offers more than Credit Counseling and Debt Management Programs. All of our financial services are designed and tailored to help achieve financial goals for you and your family.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does credit counseling work? What is a debt management program? Listed below are answers to questions about how ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions can help you.

Can anyone get a copy of my credit report?
Do I have a right to know what's in my credit report?
Can my employer get my credit report?
Am I entitled to a free credit report under state law?
What kind of information do credit bureaus collect, and how long does it remain on my report?
What is a credit report?
How often should I check my credit report?
What information is not in a credit report?
Are you registered with the Better Business Bureau?
How do I begin?
Is my information submitted through this website secure?
What happens after I have submitted my information?
What type of ongoing customer support can I expect?
What do our services cost?
Does ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions go by any other names?

1. Can anyone get a copy of my report?

No. Only people with a legitimate business need may do so. Creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use the information in your report to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home are among those that have a legal right to access your report.

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2. Do I have a right to know what's in my report?

Yes, if you ask for it. The credit reporting agency must tell you everything in your report, including medical information, and in most cases, the sources of the information. The credit reporting agency also must give you a list of everyone who has requested your report within the past year -- two years for employment related requests.

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3. Can my employer get my report?

Your employer can get a copy of your credit report only if you agree. A consumer reporting company may not provide information about you to your employer, or to a prospective employer, without your written consent.

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4. Am I entitled to a free credit report?

By law, each of the consumer reporting companies-Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion -are required to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.

The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have set up a central website, a toll-free telephone number, and a mailing address through which you can order your free annual report. To order, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. Do not contact the three nationwide credit bureaus individually.

You may order your reports from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies at the same time, or you can order your report from each of the companies one at a time every four months to keep an eye on your credit year-round.

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5. What kind of information do credit bureaus collect, and how long does it remain on my report?

Credit bureaus gather information supplied by your creditors. This includes how much credit you have available, whether you've had any 30- or 60-day late payments, and whether any accounts have been referred to a collection agency. Your credit report may also contain information that's part of the public record, including bankruptcies, foreclosures, liens and judgments against you. Bankruptcies remain on your credit report for ten years. Other negative information is eliminated after seven years.

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6. What is a credit report?

A consumer credit report is factual record of an individual's credit payment history. It is rather like a snapshot because it reflects information that is current as of that date, but is subject to change. Credit reports are provided to credit lenders for a purpose permitted by law. The main purpose of a credit report is to help a lender make a decision quickly and objectively about extending credit to an individual.

Click here for more on Understanding Your Credit Report.

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7. How often should I check my credit report?

Your credit history plays a major role when you apply for any type of credit or loan, such as a credit card, auto loan, mortgage, employment screening, utilities deposits and insurance. It is a good idea to know what is included in your credit history before applying for credit or a loan. Creditors and lenders use your credit history to determine if you are a credit risk. Experts recommend that you check your credit report at least once a year to make sure your identity has not been stolen and that it doesn't contain inaccuracies. It's also a good idea to also check your credit report before applying for a loan, if you've been denied for credit or you think your identity may have been stolen.

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8. What information is not in a credit report?

Your credit report does not contain - data about race, religious preference, medical history, personal lifestyle, political preference, friends, criminal record or any other information unrelated to credit.

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9. Are you registered with the Better Business Bureau?

Yes, ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions is a system wide member of the Better Business Bureau and the BBB Online Reliability Program; you can count on ClearPoint to provide sound quality service and assistance.

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10. How do I begin?

To begin on the path to financial freedom, simply complete the online application or call one of our Financial Specialists directly. To assist in expediting either enrollment process, have your most recent creditor statements available for quick and easy reference.

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11. Is my information submitted through this website secure?

Yes, our agency is committed to maintaining your privacy and online confidentiality. ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions has produced a privacy statement that outlines the steps that we have taken to ensure that any information that you provide is kept confidential and cannot be used improperly.

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12. What happens after I have submitted my information?

A Financial Specialist will contact you to discuss the details of your proposed Debt Management Plan. Our professional, certified counselors will assess your financial situation, assist in creating a spending plan, and discuss options for debt repayment.

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13. What type of ongoing customer support can I expect?

Our Financial Specialists are available to guide you to your financial goals. As a client, access to detailed information about your repayment program is available on our customer information line or by accessing your account anytime online.

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14. What do our services cost?

To best fulfill on our educational mission of increasing financial literacy, ClearPoint provides financial education, budget analysis, credit/debt counseling, and group workshops as a service to the community. There is no obligation to participate in any of our paid services. As a non-profit organization which focuses on helping consumers achieve financial stability, ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions works diligently to offer its voluntary services for a modest fee. Our voluntary debt management program fees and contributions vary by state of residence, and your Financial Specialist will provide a written agreement outlining your exact costs and terms. For more details, click here.

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15. Does ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions go by any other names?

Yes. ClearPoint Financial Solutions is our legal corporate name, but our current and past DBAs include: ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions, ByDesign Financial Solutions, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Los Angeles, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Sacramento Valley (CA), Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Valley (CA), Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Mid-Counties (CA), Consumer Credit Counseling Services, St. Louis; Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Seattle, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Oregon, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Virginia, and Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southeast Maryland, Credit Counselors, Credit Counselors of Illinois, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Quincy (IL), Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Mattoon (IL), Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Fairview Heights (IL), Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Marion (IL), Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Alton (IL), Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Springfield (IL), Consumer Debt Counseling (CDC) and Solutions (OR and WA).

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Your organization was there when I really needed them. I would like to thank you for being my counselor. You were always understanding and never condemning.

- J. H.