Debt Management Program Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about payments, creditors,
online account access, program changes, and completing your
debt management program.
Payments
When is my payment due?
Your monthly payment is due before we send funds to your
creditors. You and your counselor will choose your payment
date during enrollment.
Can I make extra payments?
Yes. You can make extra payments at any time through the
plan. You can call our office to arrange a one-time
withdrawal from your account, send us a message through
your online portal, or mail a payment. If you would like
the funds applied to a specific creditor, please notify us.
Otherwise, we will apply them where they will have the most
benefit.
Can I change my ACH date for this month or future months?
Yes. Please contact us at least two business days in
advance by calling our office or sending a message through
your online portal. In some cases, we may need to review
available dates to ensure the change fits your creditors’
schedules.
What happens if I miss a payment?
Please be aware that if you stop, change, or miss your
payment date, there may be potential complications with
your creditors, which may include past-due reporting to
the credit bureau, late fees, and possible increases to
your interest rates.
What if my payment is returned?
If a payment is returned, contact us as soon as possible.
We can arrange a draft for a different date. Timely
replacement helps prevent your account from going past due
or causing your creditor to drop your account from the
debt management program.
Creditors and Accounts
When will my creditors start receiving payments?
Your counselor will review your specific payment schedule
with your creditors during your session. Monthly payments
are typically sent to your creditors 3–7 days after we
receive your full monthly payment. For details about your
individual disbursement date, please contact our customer
service team.
How do I transition from paying my creditors on my own to the
program?
Be mindful of your first payment date with Consumer Credit
and your creditors’ due dates. You will know your program
terms have taken effect once your credit card statement
reflects the adjusted payment amount and reduced interest
rate. This typically occurs after your creditor accepts the
proposal and receives the first program payment. Your
counselor will review your individual situation during
your counseling session, and you’re welcome to contact our
customer service team at any time with questions.
Do I have to check my credit card account statements?
Yes. Please review your monthly creditor statements to
confirm that payments have posted correctly, your interest
rate is accurate, and there are no past-due balances.
Consumer Credit does not receive your creditor statements,
so it is important to compare them with the statement we
provide each month through the portal. The balance shown
on your Consumer Credit statement may vary slightly from
your creditor’s balance. If you notice a significant
difference, please contact us so we can review it with you.
What should I do if creditors still contact me?
Let them know you are enrolled with Consumer Credit of
Des Moines and refer them to us.
Will my interest rates be lowered?
Yes, in most cases. Interest rate reductions depend on each
creditor’s program guidelines. Many creditors lower rates
after the payment proposal is accepted and the first
payment is received. During your counseling session, your
counselor will provide the estimated interest rates for
your program.
Will this affect my credit?
At the start of a debt management program, your credit score
may dip slightly. That is because creditors usually close
the accounts you include in the plan, which can affect your
credit mix and available credit. However, if your accounts are
already past due or your credit cards are close to their limits,
you may see little impact from starting the program.
As you make consistent,
on-time payments and your balances go down, your credit
profile typically improves. Over time, many people see
their scores recover and even rise.
Studies show that after 12 to 18 months on a well-managed
plan, scores often increase as payment history strengthens
and debt levels drop.
The real progress comes from making consistent payments
and steadily reducing your debt over time.
Can I still use my credit cards?
No. Accounts included in the program are closed by your
creditors to help you avoid taking on new debt while
paying down your balances.
Online Account Access
How do I access my online account?
You should have received an email with your username and
password to access your online account. If you did not
receive it or need the information again, please contact us.
To access your account, visit
www.consumercredit-dm.com
and select client login.
What can I do in the client portal?
- View your monthly statements and complete payment history
- Update bank information
- Send and receive secure messages
- Review the creditors listed on your program
What if I forgot my password or username?
Select “Forgot Username/Password” on the login page and
follow the prompts, or call our office for help.
Program Changes
What if my income or expenses change?
We understand that budgets can change. If you would like to
review your budget with a credit counselor, please do not
hesitate to contact us.
How do I update my contact or banking information?
You can update your details through the client portal or by
calling our office. Keeping your information up to date
ensures a smooth payment process.
Can I add or remove a creditor?
Yes, you can. Call us to discuss any additions or removals
so we can help update your plan and keep it on track.
Completing the Program
What happens when I finish the plan?
Once all your accounts are paid in full, we will send you
a completion letter. Your creditors will update their
records to reflect that your accounts have been paid
through the program.
Will my accounts reopen after completion?
No. Closed accounts will remain closed; however, you may be
eligible to apply for new credit if needed.
How can I rebuild my credit after completion?
Pay all bills on time, use credit carefully, and keep
balances low. You can also meet with one of our counselors
to answer any questions you may have.
Support
How do I reach someone to discuss my account?
Call us at
515-287-6428
or
800-955-5765.
Our team is available Monday through Thursday from
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. CT. You can also send a secure message through
your online portal at any time.
Do you offer continuing budget help?
Yes. We offer free budgeting tools, and your counselor is
available to review your monthly budget as often as needed
to help you stay on track with your debt management program.