It is often said that criminals must be considered innocent until proven guilty and saints must be considered guilty until proven innocent.
In my opinion, this is one of the wisest proverbs that I have ever heard.
The same parameter can be applied to a debt relief network or debt relief agency as well.
When any individual or enterprise promises to help you get out of your debt, you should presume that it is out to cheat you and you should insist that the agency proves its credentials before you begin trusting it.
If you follow this approach, you can be certain that you will never be conned by any fraudulent service provider.
Remember that it is always preferable to let go of many reputed service providers than deal with a fraudulent one.
If you find the debt relief network or the service provider not accepting your approach, it is time to move on.
The last thing you want is to feel guilty about your own attempts to protect yourself from fraudulent transactions and end up dealing with an individual or service provider who does not agree to your terms and conditions.
The first and the most important step that you should check or take when you are dealing with debt relief services is whether the entire concept is legal.
There are many service providers who offer to find flaws or loopholes in your credit card agreement and offer to file legal action to help you avoid your debt.
When this matter finally reaches the court, you will realize that the entire process is complete illegal.
Even if there is a loophole, chances are high that the interpretation will be done in such a manner that you still are obligated to repay the debt.
Trying to escape your debt just because there is a loophole in the terms and conditions is certainly not the right way to proceed.
In such a scenario, you should ask whether employing the services of a debt relief network and seeking assistance from the network is accepted by law or prohibited by law.
Debt relief network should be asked to prove the legality of its own existence.
That is when you will find numerous explanations and clarifications why the work done by the network is completely legal.
You must be told that no decision is ever taken without obtaining the consent of the service provider-that is the other party.
The reduction in the debt or the consolidation or even an interest holiday will be legal only if the entire operation is done with the consent of the credit card issuer.
Further, you should ask for registration and completion of other formalities with the law.
There are many states which impose these requirements on any service promising debt relief.
All this will help you clarify the legal question before you proceed any further.