Columbia, MD-- (SBWIRE) -- 06/29/2010 -- Executives at Debt Shield, a Maryland-based debt settlement company, announced today that Debt Shield is officially an accredited member of TASC and USOBA.

Debt Shield has been a longstanding member of the United States Organization for Bankruptcy Alternatives (USOBA) and a member of The Association of Settlement Companies (TASC) and now the company has joined an elite group of accredited members.

"Accreditation sets Debt Shield even further apart from our competition by highlighting what we have always known- that Debt Shield is one of the most responsible and reputable debt settlement companies in the country," said Debt Shield Founder and CEO Phil Fewster.

Accreditation involves an internal audit process certifying that Debt Shield’s business procedures adhere to the industry's best practices as defined by TASC and USOBA. Debt Shield was determined by an independent company to be compliant with both TASC and USOBA standards and codes. These standards include the promise to avoid deceptive marketing practices, service only qualified clients, maintain formal and continual employee training, advocate on the behalf of clients, and uphold the highest levels of integrity at all times. For complete standards and codes, see here http://www.tascsite.org/images/EditorImages/file/TASC_Standards.pdf and here http://www.usoba.org/images/stories/USOBA_Code_of_Ethics_09.pdf.

"I am proud of every member of the Debt Shield team, each of whom plays an integral role in helping our clients," explained Fewster. "From our debt consultants to our client coaches and our support staff and especially the clients themselves who have faced enormous challenges before they even pick up the phone and ask for help."

Debt Shield will undergo an annual review process to ensure the company continues to exemplify the industry's best practices.

TASC is a nonprofit organization that brings together professional, legislators and consumers to promote good, industry-wide, debt settlement practices. Learn more at http://www.tascsite.org/. USOBA supports regulation of the debt settlement industry as well as strong consumer protections. Learn more about the organization on their website, http://usoba.com/.

About Debt Shield, Inc.
Debt Shield, Inc., is an award-winning debt settlement company helping consumers resolve their unsecured debt through mutually agreeable settlements in consideration of the consumers’ legitimate financial hardships. As an alternative to bankruptcy, Debt Shield provides a service for both debtors and creditors. For more information about Debt Shield, call 1-888-397-7546 or visit the website at http://www.debtshield.com.