There's nothing worse than living paycheck to paycheck, and finally finding the paychecks no longer meet. But that's the situation in which many Americans find themselves in today's troubled economy. The good news is there are solutions. The bad news is, they're mixed in with scammers and con artists so that you have to be very careful about who you trust. Among other things, these agencies claim to provide credit card debt relief, but some charge high fees, provide little or no service, and may leave your credit in the same or worse condition than when you started. So how can you tell the difference? Check out every credit card debt relief program with the Better Business Bureau. Find out what their fees are up front. If they are evasive or unclear, don't trust them. If they promise to lower your interest rates by 50% or more, you are probably dealing with an illegitimate agency. If you still have concerns and you are getting further behind in your bills, you might need to consult a lawyer and consider other options.