There's a lot of blame to try to pass around when a person gets in financial trouble. Credit card companies constantly offer additional cards, they regularly raise your limits, and they require small monthly payments that allow you to feel like you're "handling" your debt. But when the cards pile up, you reach your limits, and you find it hard to make all the payments, you learn that no one made you take and use all those cards to get into debt, and it's difficult to find a debt consolidation company that can get you out of it. There are many who promise they can reduce your interest rates and negotiate smaller payments, but generally all that does is extend the loan and cost you more in interest. A legitimate credit counselor will generally analyze your spending and help you develop a budget that will work for you. Then you can begin paying off your credit cards yourself and not do more damage to your credit rating or incur more debt through scam artists. If you have already lost money to an illegitimate service, contact a lawyer to learn what your options are.