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Download a Debt Management Services brochure (PDF document,
360KB, download Adobe Acrobat for free).
Debt Management Services-Overview
Companies offer different types of services to assist consumers in managing their debts. It is important for you to
know your rights before agreeing to work with a company claiming it can help with any debt management issues. A
debt management services ("DMS") provider offers services to assist in budgeting
and paying off debt.
What is Debt Management?
In general, debt management is the service provided by a DMS provider to you, in which you pay a DMS provider a set amount
each month, and the DMS provider distributes that amount to your creditors. The DMS provider negotiates with your creditors to
establish a payment plan and the amount of the payments.
How can a DMS Provider help me with my debt?
A DMS provider may be able to help by negotiating with your creditors on your behalf. A DMS provider may be able to negotiate
a lower interest rate, a lower monthly payment, or other terms that are better for you. However, you can only benefit from the
terms the DMS provider negotiates if you make the negotiated monthly payments to the DMS provider.
How do I find a licensed Debt Management Services Provider?
In Maryland, DMS providers must be licensed by the Commissioner of Financial Regulation. Consumers should
work only with a DMS provider that is licensed in Maryland.
Determine whether a DMS provider is licensed.
Step 1: Assessment
Before you give a DMS provider any money or sign any documents, a DMS provider must have one of its employees, a
debt management counselor, provide you with a one-on-one financial counseling session. You will meet with the counselor
and provide the counselor with documents showing your current debt. The counselor will ask about your income, expenses,
savings, etc. Using this information, the counselor may obtain a copy of your credit report
and create a budget for you.
Based on all of this information, the counselor will determine whether the DMS provider can help you manage your consumer debt.
See Financial Institutions Art., MD Code Ann.§12-916 for a description of requirements for providing debt
management services.
Step 2: Contract and Payment
If you decide you want to hire a DMS provider, before you pay any money to the DMS
provider, they must provide you with (1) a written notice that pre-bankruptcy credit counseling is required if you
elect to file for bankruptcy; if the DMS provider is approved by the US Trustee Program; and other counseling options (see
FI 12-916(a)(3)); and (2) a debt management services agreement).
Debt Management Services Agreement
If you decide to use the services of the DMS provider, a debt management services agreement
must be signed by you and the
DMS Provider. Some important provisions of the agreement are required by law.
Some of these provisions include:
- The name, address, and phone number of both you and the DMS provider;
- The DMS provider's Maryland Debt Management Services license number;
- A description of all services that the DMS provider will provide for you and the cost of these services. The DMS
provider may charge you an initial, one time consultation fee not to exceed $50. The DMS provider may also charge
you a monthly fee of $8 per creditor, but the monthly fee may not be more than $40 per month;
- A disclosure that your signing the agreement with the DMS provider and using Debt Management Services may impact your
credit rating and credit scores;
- A notice of your right to rescind the agreement at any time without a penalty.
"Rescind" means that you can cancel the agreement and stop sending payments to the DMS provider;
- A list of the creditors that the DMS provider reasonably expects will
not participate in the payment plan the DMS
provider is creating for you;
- A schedule of the payments you must make to the DMS provider, including the amount and due date of each payment;
- The name and address of the financial institution in which your payments to the DMS provider will be held before the
DMS provider sends the payments to your creditors; and
- A disclosure that the DMS provider has a surety bond in the event that the DMS provider violates Maryland law and you
are financially harmed.
"Prohibited Practices"
Debt Management Companies may not:
- Purchase any of your debts or obligations;
- Lend money or provide credit to you;
- Obtain a mortgage or other security interest in property owned by you;
- Require a voluntary contribution from you for any of the DMS provider's services;
- Make any false, misleading, or deceptive statements to you regarding the DMS provider's services;
- Structure an agreement that would result in you owing a higher principal amount (the original amount of debt that
does not include interest) than when you originally signed the agreement;
- Offer you money, gifts, bonuses, premiums, rewards, or other compensation for signing the agreement or for referring
a prospective customer to the DMS provider;
- Charge for or provide any insurance; or
- Submit a proposal to any of your creditors to lower the amount you owe unless you decide that the compromise
benefits you, and you provide your written approval to the DMS provider.
Additional Information
- If you sign a plan with a DMS provider and consolidate your bills into one payment, DO NOT apply for more credit, or
try to open a new credit card.
- Stick with your budget plan and make the payments to pay off your debt, even though it may seem like a long time
before you will be debt-free.
- If your financial situation changes, whether good or bad, contact your DMS provider to discuss how the changes will
affect your plan.
- Compare the payment amounts on your quarterly statement from the DMS provider to the monthly statements you receive
from your creditors to make sure the payment amounts are the same.
Where to find help:
The Commissioner of Financial Regulation is the regulatory agency in Maryland that licenses and regulates Debt Management
Services providers doing business with Maryland residents. If you encounter a problem with a Debt Management Services
provider, please contact that company first to resolve the problem. If you cannot resolve the problem with the company,
please submit a written complaint to the Commissioner of Financial Regulation.
Forward inquiries or complaints to:
Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation
Consumer Services Unit
500 North Calvert Street, Suite 402
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
(410) 230-6077 or toll free 1-888-784-0136
Fax: 410-333-3866
Email: DLFRComplaints-DLLR@maryland.gov
Fax (410) 333-0475
Website
Website complaint form
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