Debt consolidation is a type of debt refinancing that allows consumers to pay off other debts. In general, debt consolidation entails rolling several unsecured debts, such as credit card balances, personal loans or medical bills, into one single bill that’s paid off with a loan. There are dozens of ways to go about consolidating debt, and some include transferring the debt to a zero or low-interest credit card, taking out a debt consolidation loan, applying for a home equity loan or paying back your debt through a debt repayment consolidation plan. When researching consolidation plan options, you may come across what’s known as debt consolidation companies. Some of these debt consolidation companies are legitimate; according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, however, others are incredibly risky. That’s because some may be debt settlement companies that convince you to stop paying your debts and “instead pay into a special account,” the CFPB warns. “The compa...