Southern Oregon Credit Services

Southern Oregon Credit Services (SOCS) is a local, nonprofit credit counseling agency that has been providing free and confidential credit counseling and financial education services to individuals and families in Southern Oregon since 1997. We are a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and are accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA). Our mission is to provide quality credit counseling and financial education services to our clients that will empower them to achieve their financial goals.

Our Services

SOCS offers a variety of credit counseling and financial education services, including:

• Credit counseling
• Debt management
• Housing counseling
• Financial education

Credit Counseling

Our credit counselors can help you understand your credit report and score, create a budget, and develop a plan to get out of debt. We can also help you negotiate with creditors and improve your credit score.

Debt Management

Our debt management program can help you consolidate your debts into a single, lower-interest payment. This can make it easier for you to get out of debt and save money.

Housing Counseling

Our housing counselors can help you with a variety of housing-related issues, including:

• Homebuyer education
• Pre-purchase counseling
• Mortgage default counseling
• Foreclosure prevention

Financial Education

We offer a variety of financial education classes and workshops, including:

• Budgeting
• Credit management
• Debt management
• Homeownership
• Investing

Who We Serve

SOCS provides services to individuals and families in Southern Oregon. We serve people from all walks of life, regardless of their income or credit history. We are committed to providing quality services to everyone who needs our help.

Our Impact

In 2021, SOCS helped over 2,000 individuals and families achieve their financial goals. We provided over $1 million in debt relief to our clients and helped over 500 families avoid foreclosure. We are proud of the impact that we have made in our community and we look forward to continuing to provide quality services to our clients in the years to come.

Benefits of Credit Counseling

There are many benefits to credit counseling, including:

• Get out of debt faster
• Save money on interest
• Improve your credit score
• Reduce stress
• Gain peace of mind

Who Should Consider Credit Counseling?

If you are struggling with debt, credit counseling may be a good option for you. Credit counseling can help you get out of debt faster, save money on interest, and improve your credit score.

How to Get Started

To get started with credit counseling, simply contact SOCS at 1-800-859-4477 or visit our website at www.socs.org. We offer free and confidential credit counseling services to individuals and families in Southern Oregon.

Testimonials

“I was so grateful for the help that I received from SOCS. My credit counselor helped me create a budget and a plan to get out of debt. I am now debt-free and my credit score is better than ever!” – John Smith

“SOCS helped me avoid foreclosure on my home. I was so scared that I was going to lose my home, but my housing counselor helped me negotiate with my lender and get a loan modification. I am now able to keep my home and I am so grateful to SOCS for their help.” – Jane Doe

Contact Us

To learn more about SOCS and the services that we offer, please contact us at 1-800-859-4477 or visit our website at www.socs.org. We are here to help you achieve your financial goals.

Additional Resources

• National Foundation for Credit Counseling
• Council on Accreditation
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Statistics on Credit Counseling

• According to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, over 2 million people received credit counseling services in 2021.
• Credit counseling can help people save an average of $1,200 per year on interest payments.
• Credit counseling can help people improve their credit score by an average of 50 points.
• Credit counseling can help people get out of debt faster. On average, people who complete a credit counseling program pay off their debts in 3-5 years.

Applications of Credit Counseling

Credit counseling can be used to address a variety of financial problems, including:

• Getting out of debt
• Improving your credit score
• Managing your finances
• Preparing for a major financial event, such as buying a home or getting married
• Recovering from a financial crisis, such as a job loss or divorce

Strategies for Effective Credit Counseling

Effective credit counseling involves a number of strategies, including:

• Education: Credit counselors provide clients with information about credit and debt management. This education can help clients understand their financial situation and make informed decisions about how to manage their finances.
• Budgeting: Credit counselors help clients create a budget that will allow them to pay off their debts and save money.
• Debt management: Credit counselors help clients develop a plan to manage their debts. This plan may involve consolidating debts, negotiating with creditors, or filing for bankruptcy.
• Counseling: Credit counselors provide emotional support and guidance to clients. This counseling can help clients cope with the stress of debt and make positive changes in their lives.

Tips for Finding a Good Credit Counselor

When looking for a credit counselor, it is important to consider the following tips:

• Choose a credit counselor who is certified by a reputable organization, such as the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Council on Accreditation.
• Ask about the counselor’s experience and qualifications.
• Make sure that the counselor is a good fit for your needs.
• Get a clear understanding of the counselor’s fees and services.

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