Demand for credit counseling services is rising nationwide as consumers try to cope with massive amounts of personal debt.

In Dallas alone, plans are underway for one local nonprofit credit counseling service to add up to 40 new workers in 2009 in response to the growing demand, according to the Dallas Business Journal.

"This is generally a very dead month, and we're slammed right now," Todd Mark of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas told the publication.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times cautioned consumers this week that in some cases, unscrupulous credit counseling services can actually make their finances worse.

The newspaper advises consumers to do their homework carefully before choosing a credit counselor. For example, potential clients should be able to receive any and all information about fees in an up-front and clear manner. An organization that pays its employees commission for signing up new customers is also seen as a red flag, as are "guarantees" that debt or bad credit ratings can be made to disappear.

For those having trouble making minimum payments and keeping up with their own debt burdens, one possible strategy for your financial recovery could include payday loans to avoid missing payment deadlines.

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