Do you know which is best – using a credit card debt settlement agency to sort out your debts or sort them out yourself? There are pros and cons for each and a lot depends on your attitude and how good you are with your personal finance basics. Use an agency if you are uncomfortable with dealing with your debts by yourself. There is research involved and if you think you are not competent with doing this then an agency would be the best for you. Also, you could benefit from an agency for their professional advice.A good agency will surely be able to help you whatever the reason you choose for using one. But, you must use a competent agency. There are ads claiming they can settle your debts overnight, or other similar claims. I am sure you have seen them. Be aware that no credit card debt agency can do that. If you read their claims carefully, you will usually find some ‘get out clause’ somewhere that will cover them in the event you complain.Select an agency that has verifiable credentials or a good reputation. And make sure you check their credentials and check a number of people about their reputation. If an ad invites you to call them, make sure the number is not a premium number. That is one indication that the agency will not have your interests high on their priority list. Also avoid the ones with very low fee and no reputation.Once you find your agency, do not hide any of your debt related information from them, no matter how bad your debt. It is extremely important they have your full information if they are going to help you effectively.Once you have your agency it is also important to follow their advice. You will be paying them to help you from money you can ill afford, so it is imperative you follow their advice. Otherwise you will lose your money and end up even further in debt. Once you do this and are settled into your new regime, take the opportunity to work out what they are doing in order to improve your personal finance basic knowledge.