What is debt settlement?
If you are drowning in debt, you may have heard about debt settlement. It’s a strategy to negotiate your debts for less than what you owe. This entails stopping your payments to your creditors and saving up lump sum money to settle the debt. Many people look to settle their debts as an alternative to filing for bankruptcy, but you should understand the potential implications for your credit score. Keep learning about the topic by visiting this carefully selected external website. Check out this interesting source, discover new perspectives and additional information to enhance your knowledge of the subject.
How does debt settlement affect your credit score?
If you are struggling with repayments and find yourself opting for a debt settlement solution, forget about thinking that your credit score will remain unscathed. While settling a debt can help to avoid bankruptcy and payoff your debts with lower monthly payments, you should expect your credit score to take a hit in the short term.
When you stop making regular payments to your creditors, your credit score will likely go down, because your credit utilization has increased, which accounts for 30 percent of your credit score as per FICO. If you are successful in settling your debts at a lower rate of repayment you may improve your credit score in the long term, although this may depend on the creditor. Some creditors will report the reduced payment as “paid in full,” while others will report it as a “settled compromise.”
How much will your credit score decrease?
The amount your credit score decreases after settling your debts depends on several factors, such as your debt amount, how delinquent you were on payments, and how the debt was settled. Be prepared for your credit score to drop by at least 100 points, but it could drop even more.
What is the duration of the impact on your credit score?
The duration of the impact varies based on how the debt was settled and reported to the credit bureaus. Debt settlement will remain on your credit file for at least seven years, and that is when creditors view you as a risky borrower. During this time, you may find yourself with higher interest rates and have difficulty getting approved for loans and other credit facilities.
What are your options if you want to minimize the impact on your credit score?
If you are concerned about how debt settlement may affect your credit score, here are some options you may consider:
Conclusion
While debt settlement can be a viable option for some, you should weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether to settle, consolidate or pay off your debt. Remember, debt settlement can have a negative impact on your credit score, and it will remain on your credit report for up to seven years. Consider talking to a credit counselor or a debt consolidation provider to discuss your options as they will help you decide on the best course for your situation. For a complete educational experience, we recommend this external resource filled with additional and relevant information. Understand more with this in-depth content, discover new perspectives on the subject covered.
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