Disclosures

General Disclosure

Before providing counseling, we disclosed and you acknowledged and agreed to the following:

Services

MSI services are consultative only and MSI cannot prevent wage attachment or garnishment, repossession or job loss. Therefore, you should rely on your own judgment in deciding which product/service best suits your needs and financial means. The information provided should be understood to be a general discussion of the subject matter and does not constitute a legal opinion about your particular situation. The counseling form you submit online is not a legal document, and this form does not bind you to any fees or financial commitments with MSI. MSI does not offer services where a client can negotiate alternate payment schedules. Negotiating alternate payment schedules is an option you may seek elsewhere.

Non-Profit Status

MSI is a non-profit organization under the Internal Revenue Code's Provision of debt management services as authorized by the Debt Management Services Act.

MSI offers the credit counseling required by §109(h)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code as a prerequisite to filing for individual debtor bankruptcy protection.

Language Assistance

MSI Counselors are fluent in Spanish. Course materials are available in English and Spanish. We can help provide interpreter assistance. MSI has the same fee waiver and reduced fee policy for all clients regardless of their language of choice.

Cost of the Program

MSI provides its services without regard to a client's ability to pay. Debtors who cannot afford the counseling fee may request a fee reduction or fee waiver from MSI.

Fee schedule

The fee for the on-line pre-filing bankruptcy counseling session or the on-line post-filing Debtor Education course is $10. The $10 fee is good for either a single filer or joint filers if both attend the same session.

Fee Waivers

Money Sharp grants fee reductions to individuals demonstrating a current household income less than 150 percent of the poverty guidelines in effect, as published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), for a household or family of their size. Fee reductions are determined using the client's household finances. Fee reductions are automatically determined during credit counseling and there is no separate application. Clients with a household income below the poverty guidelines qualify for a full fee waiver. Use the fee waiver for here to apply for an upfront fee reduction or waiver.

MSI will also waive the bankruptcy pre-filing counseling / debtor education fee for debtors who are veterans, active or inactive servicemen and women of the United States selective services.

Pre-Bankruptcy Counseling: $10 Start Now

Debtor Education Course: $10 Start Now

Fees - payable credit or debit card
$10 single filer
$10 joint filer

MSI has the same fee waiver and reduced fee policy for all clients regardless of their language of choice.

Schedule of Course Dates, Times, and Locations

Courses are provided online at www.moneysharp.org. The times courses may be taken are 24/7 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Courses are not provided in-person, nor over the phone. Assistance and support is available over the phone 7 days a week: M-F 8am-10pm CST, Sat-Sun 9am-10pm CST at 1-866-200-6825

Referral of Debtor Students

MSI does not pay nor receive fees or other considerations for the referral of debtor students.

Certificate of Completion

It is our obligation to provide a certificate promptly to everyone upon course completion. Only clients having completed the counseling course requirements and/or the instructional course requirements will be eligible to receive a certificate of completion. During hours of operation: M-F 8am-10pm CST, Sat-Sun 9am-10pm CST Certificates are issued within 30 minutes of completion.

Certificates are made available to download or print from the user’s account in MoneySharp. Additionally, if the client provided an email, MSI sends copies of counseling certificate to the client’s email. During exceptions such as holidays, certificates are issued within one business day after completion of counseling, or a request by the client for certificate issuance.

MSI does not charge separate nor additional fees to deliver certificates of completion. Upon the client's request MSI will email client certificates to corresponding attorneys as a professional courtesy.

Education Standards for MoneySharp's Credit Counselors

1. All employees engaged in direct communication with clients regarding the successful completion of their Consumer Credit Counseling Briefing, ((i) verifying the identity of the person receiving the counseling, (ii) verifying that the client has completed the counseling as designed, (iii) verifying the identity and completeness when spouses receive joint counseling, and (iv) determining how a certificate will be provided to the client, etc.) must carry one of the following certifications, accreditations or competencies:
   1. A state teacher's certificate in any subject;
   2. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
   3. Certification or accreditation as a credit counselor or a financial counselor from a recognized independent organization;
   4. Certification by the American Association of Family and Consumer Services;
   5. Registered Financial Consultant (RFC); or
   6. Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
   7. Having successfully completed and passed in-house exams on MSI's Consumer Credit Counseling Briefing, Debtor Education course & successfully completed and passed in-house exams on The National Association of Certified Credit Counselor's Keys to Success education materials.

Guidelines for Continuing Education

1. MSI Credit Counseling Inc. requires that all employees engaged in direct communication with clients regarding the successful completion of their Consumer Credit Counseling Briefing, ((i) verifying the identity of the person receiving the counseling, (ii) verifying that the client has completed the counseling as designed, (iii) verifying the identity and completeness when spouses receive joint counseling, and (iv) determining how a certificate will be provided to the client, etc.) keep their designations and certifications up to date by staying current with their continuing education credits.

Approval and tracking of adequate continuing education credits is performed by the accrediting organization itself. MSI will confirm that our counselors are in good standing with their accrediting associations.

Code of Ethics

Our code of ethics has been developed specifically for all of our employees and counselors, which is based on the professional ethics and standards of counseling. It seeks to promote and maintain the idea that the client/counselor relationship is founded on trust, respect, and acceptance.

Section I: The Client/Counselor Relationship

1. Client Welfare
   1. Prime directive. The primary directive of credit counselors is to assist clients in the successful completion of their Consumer Credit Counseling Briefing, the management of their debt and developing opportunity.
   2. Respect. Counselors respect clients and attend to all issues relating to personal finance.
   3. Fostering independence. Counselors encourage client growth and development; counselors avoid promoting a client/counselor relationship of dependency.
2. Respect for Diversity
   1. Non-discrimination. Counselors do not engage in or promote in any way discrimination based on age, color, culture, disability, ethnic group, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or socio-economic stature
   2. Value differences. Counselors actively accept and attempt to understand the diverse cultures represented by clients.
   3. Identity impact. Counselors actively seek to understand and take into account their own cultural/ethnic/racial identity and how it may influence their values and beliefs related to the counseling process.
3. Rights of the Client
   1. Full disclosure. Counselors inform clients truthfully and accurately concerning the goals, procedures, and expected outcomes of the counseling process. Likewise, the client is privy to billing procedures and documentation regarding the client.
   2. Freedom of choice. Counselors understand that clients enter the counseling process through their own informed decision. They are in no way coerced by counselors or third parties to enter into the counseling process
4. Dual Relationship.
   1. . Whenever possible, counselors avoid dual relationships with clients that may compromise professional judgment. Examples of such relationships include, but are not limited to, familial, social, financial, business, or close personal relationships with clients. Whenever a dual relationship cannot be avoided, counselors take the necessary precautions to ensure that judgment is not impaired and no exploitation occurs. Such precautions include, but are not limited to, informed consent, consultation, supervision, and documentation.
5. Client Neglect.
   1. Abandonment is prohibited. Counselors do not abandon or neglect clients in counseling
   2. Inability to assist client. If a client does not qualify for credit counseling or the counselor is unable to assist the client, the counselor will provide information, referrals, resources, and suggest appropriate alternatives.

Section II: The Client/Counselor Relationship

1. Right to Privacy
   1. Respect for privacy. Counselors avoid illegal and unwarranted disclosures of confidential information. Counselors respect their clients' rights to privacy.
   2. Exception. Confidentiality does not apply when disclosure is necessary to prevent clear and imminent danger to the client or others or when legal requirements necessitate that confidential information be disclosed. Exceptions are determined through consultation with other counselors or professionals. Examples of exceptions include, but are not limited to: threats of suicide, threats to inflict bodily harm or property damage, and revelation of contagious, fatal diseases.
   3. MSI might disclose debtor information to the United States Trustee in connection with the United State's Trustee's oversight of MSI, or during the investigation of complaints, during on-site visits, or during quality of service reviews.
2. Records
   1. Maintenance of records. Counselors keep and maintain client records as required by the counseling organization.
   2. Confidentiality of records. In the creation, maintenance, transfer, or destruction of client records, counselors understand that a client's right to privacy extends to client/counselor documentation.
   3. Client access. Clients have the right to request records relating to their financial situation and the data they had previously provided through their counseling.

Section III: Professional Responsibility

1. Knowledge of Ethics
   Counselors are responsible for reading, understanding, and following the Code of Ethics
2. Competency
   Counselors understand and are aware of their limitations concerning knowledge and competency based on education, training, and credentials. Counselors refer clients to other counselors or supervisors when uncertainties arise or knowledge is insufficient to answer to client circumstances. Counselors do not improvise or infer information
3. Review Effectiveness
   Counselors consistently evaluate the performance and outcome gains of their counseling. When necessary, counselors seek to improve their performance through continuing education, peer evaluation, and supervision
4. Continuing Education
   Counselors understand the importance of continuing education in a dynamic field that is affected by new developments in counseling, consumer rights, the economy, current legislation, and current lending trends.

Section IV: Employer Relations

1. Reporting Problems
   It is of universal interest that conditions or behaviors that may be disruptive, damaging, or illegal are brought to the attention of a supervisor
2. Professionalism
   It is of universal interest that counselors display and maintain high standards of professional conduct.
3. Employee Policies
   Accepting employment with MoneySharp Credit Counseling Inc. infers that counselors are in agreement with the MoneySharp's policies and objectives.

Life After Filing Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy may make it more difficult for you to obtain credit, buy a home, and get insurance in the future. Credit that you are able to obtain may be from subprime lenders that carry very high interest rates. Plain and simple, this translates to costing you more money for future credit transactions.

Then there is the negative stigma and embarrassment attached with filing bankruptcy. Everyone's situation is different; many times, there are unforeseen circumstances that can lead a consumer to bankruptcy. The important thing is to gain as much financial knowledge as you can to help possibly avoid future financial difficulty and maintain a positive credit report.

The positive news is that after bankruptcy you have a fresh start without the burden of some or all of your debt. Rebuilding your credit history is a lengthy process; however, you can start after bankruptcy by getting a small amount of credit and responsibly paying your bills on time. Consider obtaining a secured credit card as a way to begin to build a positive credit history. This type of credit card typically has low credit limits and requires you to deposit an amount at least equal to your credit line into a bank account.

Credit reports are an important tool and will help you as you embark on the road to financial recovery. By regularly reviewing your credit report information you will be able to monitor your progress as you work toward improving your credit report and becoming more credit worthy. Once you have built a positive credit history you should periodically check your credit report to help maintain it.

Contact for additional information or to apply for services: (866) 200-6825

Executive office of The United States Trustee (EOUST)

MSI is approved to issue certificates in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of an Agency's services. As an approved provider of the Consumer Credit Counseling and Personal Financial management instructional courses, the United States Trustee has reviewed our credit counseling and debtor education services. The EOUST has neither reviewed nor approved any other services offered by MSI.

Your personal information will not be conveyed or disclosed to any third party, except your designated attorney, without your consent, except as may be required by law.
Please note that MSI may share information about your account upon reasonable request by the United States Trustees Office in connection with their oversight of the agency, or during the investigation of complaints, during on-site visits, or during quality of service reviews.

Addendums

Consumer Counseling:
MSI is approved by the Executive Office or United States Trustees (EOUST) to provide credit counseling services and issue certificates in compliance with the bankruptcy code. Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of the Agency's services. EOUST regulations do not apply to residents of NC or AL.

Debtor Education:
MSI is approved to issue certificates evidencing completion of a personal financial management instructional course in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of a Provider's services.

Additional State Disclosures

Illinois

MSI does not lend money.

By clicking the Accept button, you authorize us to provide counseling for you.

Pre-filing specific Disclosures

Before providing counseling, we disclosed and you acknowledged and agreed to the following:

Money Sharp Inc. (MSI) was created to provide unbiased and accurate credit counseling information to individuals seeking bankruptcy protection.

The counseling session consists of two portions: an online counseling session lasting 60-90 minutes in length regarding your budget, your debts, contributing factors, bankruptcy and its alternatives.

The second portion is a phone interview to be done after completing the online portion. The phone interview will allow our trained counselors to provide you with valuable feedback including: an analysis of your current financial condition, a consideration of all alternatives to resolve your debt problems and identifying strategies which can help you with your debt without adding to your debt burden.

Your counseling will not be complete until you have completed your phone interview. Your certificate will be dated with the date of the phone interview and not the date you finished the online portion of the counseling.

Bankruptcy's Impact on Your Credit Report

If you are considering bankruptcy as an option for addressing your debt situation it is important to be well informed so that you understand the effects and know what to expect. Bankruptcy is a legal option available to consumers that are experiencing severe debt problems. Consumers should consider filing for bankruptcy as a last resort debt solution. Filing for bankruptcy is a major decision that could have negative consequences for you and your credit report for years to come.

How Bankruptcy Affects Your Credit Report

To truly understand how bankruptcy may affect your own financial situation you must seek the advice of a legal professional that is knowledgeable in bankruptcy law.

Filing bankruptcy is a matter of public record. Information on every bankruptcy court case is available for the public to view. In addition, a bankruptcy is reported to credit reporting agencies and remains on your credit report for up to 10 years after the filing of the case. A potential lender that sees a bankruptcy as a part of a consumer's credit report information will view it has an extremely negative item, worse than delinquencies or accounts in collections. It will have a negative effect on your credit score since a credit score is created from the information on your credit report. Bankruptcy could potentially lower a good credit score by 100 or more points.

Bankruptcy may not relieve you of all debt obligations. If you are considering bankruptcy you should consult an attorney to determine how secured debts, debts obtained with a co-signer, and other types of debts are handled. Generally debts such as taxes, student loans, child support, and alimony cannot be discharged during a bankruptcy. It important that you make payments for these types of obligations on time since late payments could continue to be reported to credit bureaus and further impact your credit report information in a negative way.

Credit Counseling Programs/Debt Management Plans Impact on your Credit Report

MSI must make a clear distinction between the services it offers (financial education courses) and industry standard services for credit counselors (debt management plans). MSI offers financial education courses. MSI does not offer Debt Management Plans, and MSI is not affiliated with any bank, credit card company, collection agency, or other credit counseling agency.

Taking a financial education course with MSI will not have any direct affect on your credit report.

A Debt Management Plan allows you to achieve financial balance within your means and with the cooperation of your creditors. It provides you the structure of making only one monthly payment rather than keeping up with several bills due at different times during the month.

Through predetermined policies established with creditors, Debt Management Plan participants are often offered concessions that allow them to repay the accumulated debt over a shorter period of time, resulting in less total interest paid. Along with the convenience of one monthly payment and the opportunity for creditor concessions, other advantages of this type of program include: repayment of all unsecured debt within a maximum of 60 months; the stopping of harassing correspondence from creditors; one point of contact, and educational opportunities.

According to Fair Isaac & Company, the organization that created the FICO credit score, enrollment in such a program has no direct effect on your credit score. It can negatively impact your ability to get financing, if a particular lender looks on participation in a debt management plan unfavorably.

It is important to know that it might be difficult for you to get credit while you are participating in a credit counseling program such as a Debt Management plan, and in fact, you might be asked to refrain from seeking credit as a condition of participating in the program. If you or the credit counseling service does not make monthly payments on time as agreed, creditors will report this to the credit bureaus, and the late payment notations on your credit report will definitely lower your credit score significantly.

MSI does not offer debt management plans. If you undertake any debt management plan with other service providers will likely incur additional fees for such services. MSI does not refer its clients to other service providers for the purpose of debt management plans; therefore MSI does not receive compensation for any non-existing referrals.

As required by the United States Trustee's Final Rules, MSI makes the following disclosures: Federal law 11 USC 502(k) provides the opportunity for clients to negotiate an alternative payment schedule with regard to each unsecured consumer debt under terms set forth in 11 USC 502(k) . MSI does not to offer this service. If you want assistance with a 502(k) repayment plan, we will refer you to another approved agency at no additional cost.

Debt Settlement's Impact on Your Credit Report

Settling a debt for less than what is owed can be an opportunity to save money. It is important to be aware that paying off a debt for less than what is owed can have a negative impact on your credit report. The creditor will not report your debt as satisfied or paid as agreed. Depending on your current credit score, such a remark could lower your credit score.

Funding Sources

MSI does not offer Debt Management Plans, and MSI is not affiliated with any bank, credit card company, collection agency, or credit counseling agency. MSI is privately funded and operates by the revenue generated through delivery of its services. MSI has no vested financial interest in the outcome of counseling, and will always present an unbiased viewpoint concerning the relative benefits and disadvantages associated with debt management plans versus personal bankruptcies. No agenda will ever color MSI's advice.

Post-filing specific Disclosures:

Before providing services, we disclosed and you acknowledged and agreed to the following:

Money Sharp Inc. (MSI) was created to provide unbiased and accurate credit counseling information to individuals seeking bankruptcy protection.

The pre-discharge instructional course is a mandatory two hour course, regardless if it is taken online or over the telephone.

MSI does not offer Debt Management Plans, and MSI is not affiliated with any bank, credit card company, collection agency, or credit counseling agency. MSI is privately funded and operates by the revenue generated through delivery of its services. MSI has no vested financial interest in the outcome of counseling, and will always present an unbiased viewpoint concerning the relative benefits and disadvantages associated with debt management plans versus personal bankruptcies. No agenda will ever color MSI's advice.

Credit Counseling Programs/Debt Management Plans Impact on your Credit Report

MSI must make a clear distinction between the services it offers (financial education courses) and industry standard services for credit counselors (debt management plans). MSI offers financial education courses. MSI does not offer Debt Management Plans, and MSI is not affiliated with any bank, credit card company, collection agency, or other credit counseling agency.

Taking a financial education course with MSI will not have any direct effect on your credit report. A Debt Management Plan allows you to achieve financial balance within your means and with the cooperation of your creditors. It provides you the structure of making only one monthly payment rather than keeping up with several bills due at different times during the month.

Through predetermined policies established with creditors, Debt Management Plan participants are often offered concessions that allow them to repay the accumulated debt over a shorter period of time, resulting in less total interest paid. Along with the convenience of one monthly payment and the opportunity for creditor concessions, other advantages of this type of program include: repayment of all unsecured debt within a maximum of 60 months; the stopping of harassing correspondence from creditors; one point of contact, and educational opportunities.

According to Fair Isaac & Company, the organization that created the FICO credit score, enrollment in such a program has no direct effect on your credit fscore. It can negatively impact your ability to get financing, if a particular lender looks on participation in a debt management plan unfavorably. It is important to know that it might be difficult for you to get credit while you are participating in a credit counseling program such as a Debt Management plan, and in fact, you might be asked to refrain from seeking credit as a condition of participating in the program. If you or the credit counseling service does not make monthly payments on time as agreed, creditors will report this to the credit bureaus, and the late payment notations on your credit report will definitely lower your credit score significantly.

MSI does not offer debt management plans. If you undertake any debt management plan with other service providers will likely incur additional fees for such services. MSI does not refer its clients to other service providers for the purpose of debt management plans; therefore, MSI does not receive compensation for any non-existing referrals.