May 11, 2009
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A Call to Action, Pt.4
Credit Card Education.Another major focus of the agency is their Financial Education program. The program’s objective is to help consumers learn how to be prudent in their financial activities and maintain a healthy financial life by remaining debt free. The NFCC and Member agencies also participate in national initiatives to draw attention to credit card and financial issues. Some of these include the National Financial Literacy Poster Contest, the National Protect Your Identity Week, and the Financial Literacy Survey which was recently published and can be accessed on the NFCC website. They offer a variety of credit card and financial education workbooks and DVD’s in English or Spanish that can be ordered online for a nominal fee. Consumers can also visit the agency’s website at www.nfcc.org for free access to various helpful consumer tools which include a budget worksheet, credit card debt calculators, consumer tips, and view a video on Financial Fast Facts.
The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 1951. They are funded through voluntary individual and private organizational contributions, participating credit card organizations of the DMP programs, local grants from private foundations, and client fees. The NFCC is the largest and longest standing credit counseling organization in the country. They promote credit card and financial responsibility. They build strong relationships with their members to better enable them in delivering high quality financial education and counseling to consumers.
The NFCC national offices are in Silver Spring, Maryland; however, they have more than 100 Members with nearly 850 offices across the country. The member agencies service more than 3 million consumers a year by helping them reduce their credit card debt and gain control of their finances. The NFCC’s members operate under various names including the Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS); however, all members can be identified by the NFCC member seal which signifies high standards, counselor certification, and free or low-cost confidential services.