Today, the last of several changes to the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule go into effect. These regulations will protect consumers from for-profit companies that sell debt relief services over the phone. Whether the company calls you, or you respond to advertising from a for-profit credit counseling, debt settlement or debt negotiation service, the company CANNOT collect an advance fee for their service until:

1) There is a written agreement between you and your creditor;
2) The company successfully renegotiates, settles, reduces or changes the terms of at least 1 of your debts; AND
3) You make at least 1 payment to a creditor after the successful negocitation or settlement.

With over 3,000 complaints filed nationwide against companies in the for-profit debt relief industry in 2010 alone, BBB hopes these new rules will go a long way to helping consumers avoid the potential negative consequences of doing business with less than reputable companies.