Know the ways to settle credit card debt by yourself

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In the face of global recession, consumers fall behind payments on their credit card bills. In this situation, when they have multiple debts then they opt for credit card debt settlement programs. But with the rising problem of debts, there has been a remarkable increase in the growth of scam settlement companies. These companies take advantage of the vulnerable debtors to swindle money without providing them with suitable solutions.

But you can easily settle your own debts without turning to a settlement company with a few simple steps given below

1. If you are keen to settle your debts then make sure that you convince your credit card company to lower the outstanding balance. Once the company accepts your settlement offer, ensure that you save a considerable amount to pay off the company in lump sum. Paying a large amount to the company will increase you chances of a successful negotiation.

Your negotiation proposal should be worth more to your creditor than the profit he will get from selling it to collection agency or claiming the debt as a tax loss.

2. Inform your creditor regarding your financial crisis and tell him that you will be unable to pay off your debts. Now approach the creditor with a debt settlement offer, then it will be easier for you to negotiate. Tell the creditor that you are willing to make a large payment if he agrees to lower the outstanding balance.

3. While negotiating with the creditor on the owed amount, ensure that you ask your creditor to update the credit report as “paid” rather than “settled”. With a “paid” note on your credit report, you will not have problems applying for loans in future. You can request the creditor to remove the late payment entries from your credit report for defaulting on your payment. But the chances are high that the credit card company may not agree to remove the late payment entries from your credit history.

So, settling your debt will be an easy task if you can avoid the hassles of dealing with a scam settlement company. It will be much economical if you follow the above mentioned guidelines.

Does Debt Settlement Affect Your Credit Score?

Even though debt settlement can help you eliminate your unsecured credit card debt in a matter of months, you may be concerned about the effects it has on your credit report and credit score.

And this is a very valid concern because so much of your financial life is affected by what is in your credit report and your credit score.

The short answer to the question does debt settlement affect your credit score? is yes.

35% of your credit score is determined by your payment history.

Once you start missing payments on your credit cards your credit score will drop.

Good FICO Credit Score Before Debt Settlement

If you start with a 700 credit score, at the end of your debt settlement program, you could end up with a 500 or below credit score.

Bad FICO Credit Score After Debt Settlement

That’s the bad news.

The good news is you will be out of credit card debt.

So here’s a question for you, would you rather be out of $43,000 in credit card debt in less than one year or would you rather take up to 46 years to pay off $43,000 of debts making minimum monthly payments?

Not to mention the $66,000 in interest charges you pay over that 46 year period.

Would you rather have a good credit score or would you rather be out of credit card debt?

Yes debt settlement hurts your credit report and score but the effects are temporary.

Once you become debt free, your debt to income ratio is lower and it will look better to potential lenders.

Also, once you are credit card debt free, you can start rebuilding your credit report and have a good credit score in about two years.

That’s much quicker than recovering from bankruptcy.

If debt settlement is to work for you, you have to decide if you would rather be out credit card debt or maintain a good credit score because debt settlement does affect your credit score temporarily.

-Adam