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The days of Ameridebt are past...and so are debt consolidaiton companies. The title "debt consolidation company" itself received so much bad press that some of these companies have repackaged themselves as "debt negotiation" companies or "debt settlement" companies. Are they as bad as debt consolidation companies? They are worse, using tactics that are not legal. Stay away from these types of companies.
Many debt consolidation companies are in hot water these days: they are being sued by numerous attorney generals, the FTC and the IRS is investigating their supposed "non-profit" status. We recommend against doing business with any debt consolidation company, but if you really feel you want to risk your credit and money you don't have, check it out with your local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau in the company's location. Several debt management companies are also touting the fact that they have A+ ratings with the better business bureau. (There is a lesson here, it's good to complain to me, but why not also complaint to the BBB, your state attorney general or the FTC?) Most people don't go the extra mile when they have been taken by any company, preferring just to grumble. Others are so new that there hasn't been time to lodge complaints. Should you look up their standings anyway? Sure.
We've identified the following companies as being debt management companies, and because of the fact that they are debt management companies, we advise against them. Want more info? Here's a great article by the Consumer Federation of America.