FAQ | InCharge Canada

Here we provide the answers to the most commonly asked questions about our Debt Management Program (DMP) :

What is InCharge Canada ?
What is a DMP ?
How much do you charge ?
What can I do to be successful ?
What if I do not have all of my creditor information ?
What types of debt do you work with ?
When will I receive benefits from my creditors ?
How do I deal with collection calls ?
Is it possible to enroll in the DMP with someone other than a spouse ?
Do I have to include all of my debts when enrolling in the DMP ?
How do the counselling sessions identify solutions ?
How do I get started ?

What is InCharge Canada ?
InCharge Canada is a charitable credit counselling and educational organization. InCharge Canada offers credit counselling and personal financial education designed to assist you in better managing your money and making better financial decisions.
Back to top

What is a DMP ?
A Debt Management Program offers a convenient plan for paying off debts and regaining financial stability. Our counsellors help you develop a budget and then work with your creditors to :

Combine your multiple payments into on affordable monthly payment.
Eliminate or reduce interest rates.
Eliminate late charges and over-limit fees.
Stop those frustrating collection calls !

Once an affordable payment plan has been established, you make one monthly payment to InCharge Debt Solutions. Our organization then disburses payments directly to your creditors. Although it may sound like a consolidation loan, our program is entirely different. Unlike a loan, InCharge works with your creditors to obtain benefits in order to help you get out of debt within 3 to 5 years - without a loan !
Back to top

How much do you charge ?
As a charitable organization , we request contributions to cover operating expenses. We request contributions from creditors, banks, other organizations, and our clients. Your Counsellor will be able to quote the contribution amount requested from you. Your contribution is voluntary, and you may choose to make a smaller one or none at all.
Back to top

What can I do to be successful ?

Make your payments on time. If you miss a payment or pay late, your creditors may elect to drop you from the debt management program and reverse your benefits.
Stay in touch. We're here for you. Contact your Counsellor at 1-888-424-3093 should you have any questions or need additional counselling.
Do not make payments directly to your creditors. Send all payments, including any late or extra payments you might be able to make, directly to InCharge Debt Solutions.
Do not apply for or accept any additional credit. Doing so could mean being dropped from the program and could hinder your success. Some creditors even check your credit report yearly to ensure no new lines of credit have been opened, and will discontinue benefits to clients who have breached the debt management contract.
Keep your personal information up to date. Keeping your personal information up to date will enable InCharge Canada to provide the best possible service. In order for us to communicate with your creditors, we usually must verify basic information, such as your name, address, telephone number, and social insurance number. Contact your Counsellor and creditors immediately with any changes to your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, or other contact information.
Never miss or make a late payment. Doing so could mean your benefits will be revoked, plus your reduced interest rates may be raised and/or late fees could be imposed. Missing a payment or paying late is in breach of your debt management contract. If you do miss a payment or make a late payment, it is your responsibility to contact your creditors to determine how the accounts will be affected. Remember to relay this information to your counsellor so that we may take any necessary actions or make recommendations.
Back to top

What if I do not have all of my creditor information ?
In order to ensure we are providing you with an accurate payment plan, it is important that all of the creditor information you provide to us was obtained less than 30 days prior and the due date has not passed. If you do not have all of your creditor account information, you can still begin the enrollment process. You will simply need to provide the remaining information as soon as possible.
Back to top

What types of debt do you work with ?
InCharge Canada works with unsecured debts, such as credit cards, department store cards, cancelled utility bills, most collection accounts, unsecured personal lines of credit, and unsecured loans. Unsecured means there is no collateral attached to the personal line of credit or loan - examples of collateral could be a car or a house.
Back to top

When will I receive benefits from my creditors ?
Before your creditors extend special benefits like lower or eliminated interest rates and waived late fees, you must first be consistent with your payments through InCharge Debt Solutions. Most creditors start granting benefits upon acceptance of your proposal. However, some creditors can take a little longer.
Back to top

How do I deal with collection calls ?
There is a short transition phase onto the Debt Management Program (DMP). This time allows InCharge to organize your account and contact your creditors. For a small period of time after you join the program you may receive collection calls. It’s strongly recommended that you don’t avoid the calls but inform your creditors that you have received credit counselling and have enrolled with InCharge Canada. You may also provide the creditors with InCharge Canada’s toll-free number where they can call to have any questions/ concerns answered. It is always important to remain in contact with your Financial Counsellor and notify him/ her of any changes regarding your account or any correspondence you receive, this will help to ensure your creditors are aware of your willingness to re-pay your debt and maintain the partnership between InCharge and you, the client.
Back to top

Is it possible to enroll in the DMP with someone other than a spouse ?
Yes, as long as there is at least one form of debt that is shared. This means one of you is the primary, and the other is a co-applicant. We would need you both to sign the agreement. If there is not at least one shared account, then you will each need to enroll separately.
Back to top

Do I have to include all of my debts when enrolling in the DMP ?
Creditors strongly suggest that all accounts be placed into the program. There is no limit to the amount of unsecured accounts that may be placed on the InCharge Canada Debt Management Program. Creditors are very willing to extend benefits when they know a consumer is earnestly trying to get out of debt. Placing all credit cards on the program demonstrates an earnest commitment to repaying one's debts. If a consumer only places a few accounts on the program, then debt management is not complete. Our experience also tells us that the successful graduates of our program include all of their debts.
Back to top

How do the counselling sessions identify solutions ?
InCharge Canada utilizes a four-step guide to help identify the most appropriate solution for each debt-burdened consumer that receives a complete counselling session. Sessions, whether conducted in person or by phone, are normally conducted by appointment.

Step 1 : The initial session with an InCharge Canada counsellor involves a series of questions in order to identify the root cause of the debt burden. These questions address some basic information as well as current employment, martial status, number of dependents, credit and debt issues , and seek to discover the level of emotional stress being experienced by the consumer. The objective is to ensure that the counsellor has a thorough understanding of the circumstances that have caused this burden so that the counsellor can make the remainder of the discussion as relevant and appropriate as possible for each consumer’s personal situation. It is also important to note that the session starts with a neutral approach. There are no internal biases or incentives for a counsellor to recommend one solution rather than another. The counsellor’s main goal in dealing with any consumer is that the most appropriate solution be provided. This should result in the consumer feeling hopeful and optimistic about his/her financial future, and that the counsellor treated the consumer with respect and professionalism.

Step 2 : The counsellor will prepare a detailed budget and financial analysis of all of the consumer’s income, assets, and expenses. This budget will provide insight as to exactly how much money is being spent each month versus the total monthly household income.

Step 3 : With knowledge and understanding of the consumer’s personal and financial situation, the counsellor can determine the most appropriate solution.

The counselling session will identify the appropriate solution for each consumer’s unique situation. Throughout this customized counselling session, the counsellor and consumer work closely together to determine the best course of action, review alternatives and agree on a plan to effectively provide the financial relief desired.

Step 4 : Once the most appropriate solution has been identified, the counsellor will continue to counsel the consumer to ensure that the solution chosen is the most viable. Solutions to overcoming moderate to severe financial and debt distress are not quick fixes and sometimes involve difficult financial, personal, and emotional decisions. In this step, counsellors work closely with consumers to make sure that the solution is one that is most likely to achieve the desired results and has the best chance of implementation and follow-through for the consumer. Additionally, the counsellor and consumer work together to identify educational resources that will help change the consumer’s behavioural patterns relating to financial affairs.
Back to top

How do I get started ?
It’s simple. Call us.

1-888-424-3093 .

We’ll take it from there.
Back to top

Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.