L.,
I would recommend that you go to Consumer Credit Coucelors, they are funded by United Way and is free. At least it was when I went there. You do need to call and make an appointment, and make sure you have all of your bills together. Then they will set you up on a payment plan that you can slowly pay off your debt. By doing this, the collection companies have to leave you alone, because you are actively making an effort to pay everything off. When I did this, I was about to file bankruptcy but my mom talked me into going and although it took about 4 years to pay everything off, I now have almost perfect credit and I no longer have to avoid phone calls, because it may be a collector.
Good Luck
T.
About me: I am a busy 30 yr old single mom of 4 GREAT kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. I work fulltime and go to school at OU Tulsa fulltime, and I wouldn’t trade my life for the WORLD.