1. What effect does your program have on my credit report?

Using a credit counseling service and having this service reported on your credit report does not have a negative impact on your FICO score. This fact is based on first-hand information given to TPFC from the creators of the FICO score, Fair, Issac & Company. This program is not what impacts your score or your ability to get credit in the future.

However, the actions you take based on the recommendations of a credit counselor may sometimes affect your score. For example, choosing to make partial payments or agreeing to settle for less than the full amount on accounts may be regarded negatively. Additionally, any late payments occurring either before or after you began the plan may also be regarded negatively.

If your credit file includes other indications of delinquency that happened either before of after you entered the counseling service, these indications will be considered in the FICO score calculation.

2. What are my responsibilities to ensure my Debt Freedom Program is successful?

This is a very important question, as you play a HUGE role in your program's success, both as your program begins and during the length of your program.

After processing is completed by us, you will receive a TPFC Program Update. It contains 10 critical aspects of your program that you need to review. This will not take a lot of time, and it will help to ensure your program's success.

Your creditors may take up to 90 days to give final approval to your program. In the meantime, there may be small adjustments to your program that need to be made to meet their requirements. Please stay patient during this time, as this is the normal for all programs, and it is how the credit counseling industry works. Rest assured that things are moving forward, payments are being made to your creditors.

3. Who actually pays my creditors?

When the TPFC Administration Department completes your program processing work, your program file is sent to our credit office, Harbour Credit Counseling. They are experts at working with creditors and provide you with the necessary operations to make your program successful.

Harbour provides several aspects of your Debt Freedom Program, including:

a. the automated withdrawal from your bank account to their trust account.
b. sending your program proposal letters to your creditors for their approval.
c. making the payment of your funds to all your creditors.
d. providing you with a monthly summary statement of their work for you.

4. I am still getting calls from my creditors. What should I do?

Advise them that you are on a debt management program and give them Harbour's toll free number at 800-887-2389.

Please be patient, as certain creditors may take up to 90 days after they accept your program proposal to stop collection calls. This is due to that creditor wanting to see a consistent payment pattern on your account.

5. Will I be notified when Harbour gets my program?

Yes. Harbour will send you a welcome letter and a program update shortly after you join the program. You may also contact them by phone at 800-887-2389 or by email at www.40debts.com.

6. Will I have a contact at Harbour Credit?

Once Harbour Credit has received your program you will be assigned a representative. You may also go to their website and check on your program at anytime. Harbour's website is www.40debts.com.

To log on as a first-time user, please follow these steps:

a. Locate the "Customer Service" tab at the top of the web site.
b. Go to the dropdown under "Customer Service" entitled "New User" and click.
c. Follow the steps to fill in the required information. Please note: your Client ID# is your Social Security Number.
d. You can create your own Password. You may have to enter it twice.
e. Your account will appear on the screen after a short pause.

7. What if a creditor does not accept my Debt Management Program proposal?

It is very seldom that a creditor refuses a proposal through our program. When that does happen, it is due to one or both of the following reasons:

a. the creditor may need more information or clarify data on the account, or
b. the creditor requires a slight increase in the monthly payment to meet their standards for the account.

In either case, your payment is being made by Harbour and your program is moving forward as planned.

8. Can I increase my payment if I have additional funds available?

Of course! You can always increase your monthly payment. The more you pay, the faster you accounts will be paid off. And that is a desire of us all!

To increase your payment, you must contact Harbour Credit and inform them that you wish to pay more. They will counsel you on the best way of increasing your payments. Please DO NOT send additional payments directly to your creditors. This can cause your program to be dropped by your creditor.

9. Do I continue to work with my creditors?

Yes, the debt you owe your creditors is still your debt. You are still the client of the creditor. As a Debt Freedom Program, we are acting as your agent by providing a service to help you become debt free.

However, DO NOT make additional payment arrangements with your creditors. This can cause a conflict with your program. Call Harbour at 800-887-2389 or have your creditor call Harbour if they request additional funds.