Paul Chaney Business

Many people in the US suffered job loss, wage cut and unemployment after the recent financial collapse. Therefore, many consumers default on their payment and incur insurmountable amount of credit card debt. In such situation, credit card debt settlement is a feasible option to eliminate your financial woes. You need to negotiate with the credit card company to lower the interest rate on the outstanding balance. In a debt settlement process you pay less than you originally owed to the creditors. But when you settle your debt it will be displayed on your credit report.

1. Know about the facts:

If you have settled your debt then the credit card company will report your account as “settled in full” instead of “paid in full” to the credit bureau. Your credit report will be updated as “settled”. Therefore, your potential lenders might consider you a high risk borrower and it might be difficult to get approval for loan in future.

2. Duration of the impact of debt settlement on credit report:

Your credit card debt settlement appears on your credit report for 7½ years in case you settle with the original creditors. But if you settle with a collection agency then the settlement process will appear on credit report for seven years from the date of first delinquent.

3. Advantages of settlement process:

You can avoid late payment if you are settling your debts. Remember that 35% of your credit score is based on the late payment notification. Therefore, late payment charges will adversely affect your credit report comparatively more than a credit card settlement.

4. Disadvantages of settlement process:

Generally, the credit card companies does not accept settlement offer if you are current on your payment. The companies will not be convinced that you are suffering from financial crisis if you do not default on your payment.

When you plan to negotiate your debt ensure that you include in the terms of agreement that your credit card account will be updated as “paid in full” instead of “settled in full”. Then your potential lenders will not be aware that you have settled your debts when they view your credit report.