Help with credit card debt.

The biggest credit-card companies, including Visa, Mastercard, Bank of America, Citiroup, and others have created a way for consumers to get help with credit card debt and bills. The "Help With My Credit" campaign will help consumers reduce bills and eliminate debt, and it will also help the credit card companies deal with rising credit card defaults.

While each consumer is different, depending on the person's situation the credit card company might be offer lower fees, they may be able to extend payment plans or terms, and they may come up with other agreements to help with reducing or eliminating the outstanding debt. While many of the options being offered by the card issuers already exist, the Help With My Credit campaign is intended make more consumers aware of these programs and ensure they take advantage of them.

In addition, the credit card companies are providing information about how to manage credit cards wisely, communicate clearly with credit card issuers and banks, and, if needed, the banks will help them determine the best ways to select and communicate with a credit-counseling agency or credit card counselor.

The bottom line is that working out payment plans between the customer and the bank might be increasingly attractive to both card holders and issuers as the economy continues to stay weak and Americans struggle to get by with paying bills. Many banks now also offer credit card hardship programs. And the goal of the Help With My Credit program is to make it easier for consumers with large credit card debt or credit card problems have access to tools and information that can help them get back on track with their bills.