In order to get trustworthy advice from debt settlement agencies it is imperative that you find a trustworthy and reputable agency to work with.
While there are many very good and trusted agencies around, there are also unfortunately some that are disreputable, or who simply are not able to do all that they say they can or who do not have the ability to give you advice suited to your specific situation.
Aurora Lillo Editor of the "Reputable Debt Settlement" website -- http://www.ReputableDebtSettlement.com -- pointed out;
"...When choosing a settlement agency there are several steps to follow to ensure that you find one that can help you with your financial problems and who can advise you properly on the steps to take..."
It is usually best to work with a company that is based in your own state. They are knowledgeable about local laws and financial restrictions, whereas someone from another state may not know what does and does not apply in your situation. If you are not sure who to approach you could try to get in touch with your local Chamber of Commerce and see if they can recommend someone. At the very least they should be able to let you know if any agencies have been reported to them or have had complaints lodged against them.
Another very good place to check is with the Better Business Bureau. Most companies and agencies that are associated with this Bureau advertise it on site usually. If you find an agency that is not affiliated with them it is a good idea to check with the BBB to see if any complaints have been filed. While it is not uncommon for businesses to have a few complaints filed against them by disgruntled customers, any complaints should have been attended to quickly and resolved to everyone's satisfaction.
A good debt settlement agency will work with you. They will not charge exorbitant rates for their services and they will often give you some kind of guarantee regarding their services. For example, many reputable companies will not require a fee from you, or will return any money paid, in the event that they are not able to negotiate a settlement for you. Others will offer bankruptcy assistance in the case the negotiations do not work, such as refunding money you have paid to your attorney.
"...If you find a company that fits these standards and you have a good rapport with them and feel that they answer your questions adequately, then you can be fairly certain that you will receive trustworthy advice from them..." added A. Lillo.