Know the Difference!

And we keep growing! Now able to help residents in Louisiana, Washington and Hawaii 🌴 become debt free! Call 1-800-926-9685 or visit us at consumercreditbuffalo.org.

Know the difference between Debt Management and Debt Settlement, and take advantage of the financial education and non-biased advice of a non-profit such as CCCS/Money Mentors. Our appointments are not consultations or a sales pitch, it is a true analysis of your unique financial situation and an honest review of what the pros and cons are to your various options to become debt free.
🤩Louisiana
🤩Washington
🤩Hawaii
✔️New York
✔️D.C.
✔️Oklahoma
✔️West Virginia
✔️North Carolina
✔️Arkansas
✔️Wyoming
✔️Alaska

Student Loan Counseling

With average student loan debt per graduate a staggering $39,400, student loans continue to create problems for individuals, families and the economy at large.
“Student loans are in crisis with two in five borrowers likely to default within five years,” states a study published in January 2018 by the Brookings Institute.

Student Loan debt has become such a major issue that there is now a TV game show based entirely on the payment of student loan debt – TruTV’s Paid Off With Michael Torpey.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service wants Western New York residents to know that although they cannot solve the student loan debt problem, they have a program that can help. It’s our region’s only program.
CCCS began its program in 2012, in response to the need for education and assistance with student loans. In the past six years, we have helped 765 achieve a level of financial freedom previously unknown. 
In our program, Nationally Certified Student Loan counselors work with a broad cross section of the community to:
•                    Evaluate student loan debt (current or in default)
•                    Explore options for student loans including deferments, forbearances, alternative repayment plans, and consolidation loans and forgiveness options
•                    Assist in applying for the appropriate option
•                    Assist in communicating with the lender, as needed
•                    Review credit score, credit report and living expenses
•                    Set appropriate financial goals
The financial counseling services we provide help student loan borrowers chart a course for financial stability.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 716-712-2060 or 1-800-926-9685.

Be Savvy – Avoid IRS Scams

Be wary of ANY calls you receive from the IRS. Do not give in to fear tactics, the IRS will never call you to request payment or threaten lawsuits or arrests.
Tips:
  • Don’t share any of your information –  Call the IRS directly at 1-800-428-1040
  • Never send money, gift cards or any other type of payment!
  • Report these criminals –  You can do so through the FTC’s website at ftc.gov/complaint. The more reports received, the more likely they can be caught and stopped!
    • Share with your family and friends –  Don’t let those who you know and love get taken advantage of!

Check out this example of a scam call (made to a police officer!)

https://youtu.be/XykKl6Afo6s

We’re On a Mission!

By Noelle Carter
 

CCCS of Buffalo is on a Mission. We are determined to ensure everyone has access to  financial counseling, from an expert who is looking out for their clients’ best interest, and not the bottom line of a large company’s profits. Unfortunately, for-profit companies have large advertising budgets and prey on consumers who are desperate, and in need of a cure-all for their financial troubles. The messages they convey to draw consumers in inevitably leads to a case of overpromising, and under delivering.
 

To help spread the word of CCCS of Buffalo’s local presence as a leading financial counseling agency, who has been providing financial counseling for over 50 years, we enlisted help from one of our clients, who best to tell the story of the help we are able to deliver than a member of the WNY community?! Christina struggled with crippling credit card debt until she got help from CCCS of Buffalo. She made that brave phone call, and now, just over 4 years later, Christina is credit card debt free.

 
Keep a lookout, and an ear out, for Christina on the radio and in online ads. Help us join the battle against companies who are looking to take advantage of consumers who are in a vulnerable financial position, and let them know there is a NONPROFIT agency right in their backyard, ready and willing to help. Services cover anything from credit card debt, housing issues, credit issues, student loan repayment difficulties, homebuyer education and beyond.
If you, or someone you know is looking for financial advice, pick up the phone and call CCCS of Buffalo for honest advice, with no judgment attached.……716-712-2060 or 1-800-926-9685