It's impossible to avoid all the offers for debt consolidation programs in our culture today. That's because many families are in serious financial trouble, some with higher debt and lower income than they ever imagined. Pie-in-the-sky promises from debt consolidation programs lure many people in to paying high "set-up" or upfront fees and realizing very little, if any, benefit. Many debt consolidation programs are merely scams, since few credit card companies are likely to offer lower interest rates or monthly payments to any of their cardholders unless they believe they will not get their money back in any other way. Thoroughly investigate the program you're considering. Get all of their policies in writing, especially their fee schedule. If they're not willing to provide that, they're not the program for you. If you are in serious debt trouble, you may be better off consulting an attorney and considering bankruptcy. Non-profit credit counseling services may be able to provide the interim help you need without charging exorbitant fees in the process.