We value our editorial independence, basing our comparison results, content and reviews on objective analysis without bias.
But we may receive compensation when you click links on our site. Learn more about how we make money from our partners.
This nonprofit focuses on keeping you out of debt — but fees may be steep.
Cambridge Credit Counseling aims to educate the public on overcoming debt through credit counseling and financial resources. Its debt management services can help you consolidate loans and get started on a single-payment path to financial freedom.
Service limitations. Not available in Virginia, Wisconsin and Minnesota
Free resources or tools. Financial education articles and videos, quarterly newsletter, budgeting worksheets
Customer service options. Phone, email
Other details. Nonprofit since 1996 and DHUD–approved
How much does it cost?
Most Cambridge debt management plans cost an average of $40 to get started, with a $75 cap on how much you’re charged. Average monthly fees are about $25 and are capped at $50. And it doesn’t impose a minimum for the debts it takes on.
But while fees may not sound high on paper, they could be too steep for what you owe. Calculated over the average four to five years you’ll be on a plan, you might end up paying $2,400 to $3,000 for Cambridge’s help. If you owe only $3,000 to begin with, you may find it’s not worth the cost.
How much can I save with Cambridge Credit Counseling?
Cambridge claims the average client on a debt management plan can save 25% on their monthly credit card payments — with a 64% reduction in interest rates — resulting in savings of about $142 a month. Most clients are free of debt in four to five years.
What you save ultimately depends on how much debt you carry, the types of debt you owe and your personal circumstances.
What are the pros and cons of Cambridge Credit Counseling?
Pros
Easy account access. Track your debt progress, view payment disbursements and print detailed payment reports from your online account.
Comprehensive help. Stay on the right path with financial education, including help with a realistic budget and accessible goals for the future.
Work with a nonprofit. Cambridge is generally trusted throughout the industry as an honest financial educator that’s not only interested in profits.
Cons
You must close your accounts. You won’t have access to credit cards and other unsecured debt enrolled in the program, which could limit your financial flexibility in an emergency.
Limited availability. If you live in Wisconsin, Minnesota or Virginia, you’ll need to find another service.
Only one physical office. With only one office in Massachusetts, your opportunity for in-person counseling is limited, leaving you to phone or email.
What is Cambridge Credit Counseling?
Established in 1996, Cambridge Credit Counseling is a nonprofit credit and housing counseling agency focused on helping clients get out of debt and stay out. It prides itself on being a one-stop shop for financial education beyond just debt management plans — including budgeting help, investing strategy and retirement planning.
What does the Internet say about Cambridge Credit Counseling?
Customer reviews of Cambridge Credit Counseling are generally positive as of January 2019. Most people say they were able to get out of debt, even if it took a few years to get there.
It earns an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with 79% of people calling it “excellent” and only 2% choosing “poor” or “bad.” On Trustpilot — where it has a 9.1 rating out of 10 — Cambridge’s customer service team has taken the time to reply to every negative review, listing facts behind why a specific client didn’t find success with their plan.
Most complaints focus on confusing communication. One reviewer claimed they never received a call from Cambridge, and another appeared to not understand the details of their plan.
Compare more debt relief services
Updated December 6th, 2019
{"niche":"USFPL"}
Before you sign up with a debt relief company
Debt relief companies typically charge a percentage of a customer’s debt or a monthly program fee for their services. And they aren’t always transparent about these costs or drawbacks that can negatively affect your credit score. You might pay other fees for third-party settlement services or setting up new accounts, which can leave you in a worse situation than when you signed up.
Consider alternatives before signing up with a debt relief company:
Payment extensions. Companies you owe may be willing to extend your payment due date or put you on a longer payment plan if you ask.
Nonprofit credit counseling. Look for free debt-management help from nonprofit organizations like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
Debt settlement. If you can manage to pay a portion of the bill, offer the collection agency a one-time payment as a settlement. Collection agencies are often willing to accept a lower payment on your debt to close the account.
Is it safe to use Cambridge Credit Counseling?
Cambridge is approved by the IRS as a charitable organization, which implies a mission to do good. And it adheres to strict rules of operation as a creditor agency of the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Agencies (AICCA), employing only fully certified counselors for your case.
It’s also registered as an ISO 9001 organization, adhering to worldwide quality standards for its services.
How do I get started?
Schedule a free consultation with a certified counselor by completing a short form on Cambridge’s site and clicking Get help now.
You’ll need to enter:
Your name, phone number and ZIP code
How you heard about Cambridge
A Cambridge certified counselor will reach out by the next business day. They’ll take a look at your income, monthly expenses and debt to determine if you’re a good candidate for debt management services.
To schedule an appointment by phone, call 800-235-1407.
I’ve signed up. What’s next?
Cambridge Credit Counseling claims that it recommends a debt management plan only if a certified credit counselor assesses your unsecured debt and determines it’s in your best interest. If they give you the green light, here’s what to expect:
Pay the appropriate startup fee.
Cambridge begins contacting your creditors to negotiate a settlement arrangement, including lower interest rates.
After all parties agree to the plan, Cambridge closes your individual accounts. You begin your monthly payments to Cambridge Credit Counseling, which Cambridge distributes to your creditors.
After your plan is successfully completed — generally within four to five years — you’re free of your debts and can focus on future financial health.
Contact customer service at clientservices@cambridgecredit.org with any questions along the way.
Tips to make the program a smart move financially
If you’re serious about staying out of debt, take these three steps to help ensure long-term success:
Prepare for the long haul. A debt management plan isn’t a quick fix for financial difficulties.Work with your counselor to create a budget, and stick to it avoid missing a monthly payment.
Close your cards. If you have an account that isn’t closed by Cambridge, consider putting it on ice. Taking on more debt will only make things harder to stay debt free.
If it feels like a black cloud of debt hangs over your future, a service like Cambridge Credit Counseling might help you find the light. A debt management plan can potentially save you 25% on monthly payments and cut interest rates in half, as long as you’re prepared to do it all through online and phone communication.
If you like the option of working with an in-house counselor, look for an alternative in our guide to debt relief companies.
Frequently asked questions
Go to the Cambridge Credit Counseling website and click Client login.
Select Credit Counseling Client Portal.
Enter your user name and password and click Login.
It might if your creditor reports your status to the bureaus when closing your account. Some lenders consider participation in debt management a risk.
However, FICO says that following a debt management program is a neutral mark on your credit score.
Eligible debts for a debt management program include:
Amy Stoltenberg writes about lifestyle and money for finder.com, researching the best options for shopping, banking, insurance and authentic travel experiences. After studying writing and fashion at Savannah College of Art and Design, she worked designing apparel at a corporate behemoth before opting for a career with unlimited travel time. When her laptop’s closed, she can be found wandering the streets looking for happy hour and hole-in-the-wall eateries.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Advertiser Disclosure
finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
