I am sure neither of us would recommend dodging creditors, so the distinction here is related to bill collectors. A creditor *might* call on the phone to discuss payment arrangements, but bill collectors are like all-of-it-right-now bounty hunters.

To cielpur: Debt consolidation is for people who typically want or intend to continue in a lifetime of debt. I have done that in the past, then just ended up with more debt after my overall payments for past debt had been reduced. It might be nearly impossible to become debt-free and remain that way forever, but consolidating debt so more debt can be possible never worked out for me.