How To Negotiate Debt With Credit Card Companies Bankrate Caret RightMain Menu Mortgage Mortgages Financing a home purchase Refinancing your existing loan Finding the right lender Additional Resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Bank Banking Compare Accounts Use calculators Get advice Bank reviews Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Credit Card Credit cards Compare by category Compare by credit needed Compare by issuer Get advice Looking for the perfect credit card? Narrow your search with CardMatch Caret RightMain Menu Loan Loans Personal Loans Student Loans Auto Loans Loan calculators Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Invest Investing Best of Brokerages and robo-advisors Learn the basics Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Home Equity Home equity Get the best rates Lender reviews Use calculators Knowledge base Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Loan Home Improvement Real estate Selling a home Buying a home Finding the right agent Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Insurance Insurance Car insurance Homeowners insurance Other insurance Company reviews Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Retirement Retirement Retirement plans & accounts Learn the basics Retirement calculators Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Advertiser Disclosure
Advertiser Disclosure
We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Make Money
The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within the listing categories. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you. SHARE: Makistock/Shutterstock November 08, 2021 Michelle Lambright Black is a credit expert with over 19 years of experience, a freelance writer and a certified credit expert witness. In addition to writing for Bankrate, Michelle's work is featured with numerous publications including FICO, Experian, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report and Reader’s Digest, among others. Aylea Wilkins is an editor specializing in personal and home equity loans. She has previously worked for Bankrate editing content about auto, home and life insurance. She has been editing professionally for nearly a decade in a variety of fields with a primary focus on helping people make financial and purchasing decisions with confidence by providing clear and unbiased information. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Our banking reporters and editors focus on the points consumers care about most — the best banks, latest rates, different types of accounts, money-saving tips and more — so you can feel confident as you’re managing your money. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers. Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. Bankrate logo How we make money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. Americans are drowning in credit card debt, with an average credit card balance of $5,315, according to findings from . The (the percentage of credit a consumer uses of the total credit available to them) was 25.3% in 2020, the lowest level in a decade. If you rely on credit cards to get you through, you may feel like you’re never going to get out of credit card debt. But you may have options if you aren’t able to pay off your credit card debt. One possibility is that you can negotiate your debt with credit card companies. This can help you get back on track and avoid more damage to your credit report. Why credit card companies negotiate debt
When finances get tight, credit card payments are often one of the first bills people let slide. After all, credit card debt is unsecured. If you don’t pay your auto loan or your mortgage, your car or house could be at risk. The same isn’t true with credit cards. That’s not to say that falling behind on credit card payments isn’t dangerous. , credit card bills included, you may damage your credit. Credit problems can haunt you for years. Plus, if you default on a credit card bill, there’s a chance that the bank might sue you, and that leaves you vulnerable to more potential problems. Credit card issuers are aware that your unsecured credit card debt may be at the bottom of your priority list if you’re in a financial bind. When you fall behind on a credit card bill, the bank’s priorities may shift. Rather than risk you ignoring debt or , a card issuer may be willing to consider negotiating credit card debt so that it gets back some of its money rather than nothing. Credit card issuers also have an incentive to retain you as a customer — so they may be willing to negotiate in order to maintain a lifelong relationship or keep you from missing payments. How does credit card settlement work
Credit card settlement is a type of debt settlement that will let you pay off credit cards for less than what you originally owed. This is usually done through a third-party agency, although you may also be able to negotiate hardship options or lower interest rates on your own. When you use a debt settlement company, you will be responsible for sending payments to the agency and may have to pay extra fees for the service. The benefits of credit card settlement are clear: You may be able to get out of debt more quickly without the responsibility of the full debt load. However, your credit score will likely drop as a result of debt settlement, and you may have tax consequences down the line. If you settle a $15,000 debt for $10,000, for instance, you may be taxed on that $5,000 difference. Types of credit card debt settlements
Card issuers are likely to agree to one of three types of settlements. The best one for you depends on your current financial situation. Lump-sum settlement
With this negotiation technique, you offer to settle your outstanding debt in one big payment, albeit for less than your balance. For example, you might owe $4,000 between charges, interest and fees on your credit card, but you ask the bank to accept $2,500 (your original credit limit) to settle the account in full. If the card issuer accepts, it will forgive the remaining balance. Lump-sum settlements have two potential downsides. First, a notation may be added to your credit report showing that the account was “settled for less than the full balance.” This could be bad for your credit score. However, if your account was already past due, the notation may not cause additional damage. You also might have to claim the forgiven debt as income on your upcoming tax return and potentially pay taxes on that amount. Workout agreement
A workout agreement typically involves your credit card issuer lowering your interest rate or temporarily waiving interest altogether. The bank may also be willing to take other steps to make it easier for you to keep up with your debt, including reducing your minimum payment and potentially waiving past late fees on your account. On the other hand, your card issuer may close your account as part of the arrangement. Although your credit score is likely already damaged from late payments, closing your account (and thus wiping out your available credit limit) could raise your credit utilization rate. Credit utilization is responsible for up to 30 percent of your FICO Score, so if your credit utilization increases, your credit score may drop further. Hardship agreement
Sometimes called a forbearance program, a hardship agreement may be an option if your financial setback is temporary. If you were to suddenly lose your job or have an unexpected illness or injury, you should call your card issuer right away to see if it offers a hardship program. With a hardship plan, your card issuer may agree to lower your interest rate, suspend late fees or reduce your minimum payment on a temporary basis. You might even be able to skip a few payments while you work to rebound from the financial setback. Unfortunately, your credit history and scores could still be at risk with this type of agreement. Depending on the terms of the bank’s hardship agreement, it may report negative information to the credit bureaus during the forbearance period. How to determine if you should negotiate your debt
If you have credit card debt that you are looking to settle with the credit card company, consider a few factors first. First, explore other options like credit counseling or bankruptcy. Either of those may be a better fit for your specific situation. If you are not already several months behind in your payments, the credit card company may not be willing to enter into debt negotiation, so you might need to consider other options. The credit card company will also want to make sure that you have the financial ability to pay any settlement. This could be a lump sum or enough monthly cash flow to fulfill your settlement obligations. How to negotiate credit card debt
Negotiating with credit card companies can be tricky because many will likely be reluctant to change their terms unless they are worried about you filing for bankruptcy. Whether you choose to negotiate credit card debt on your own or hire a professional to represent you, it’s best to come prepared to negotiate. Start with the following steps: Confirm how much you owe. Before credit card negotiation begins, check your account balance online or call your card issuer to discover your current balance. It’s also wise to confirm the current interest rate on your account. Review your options. Decide if a lump-sum settlement, workout agreement or hardship agreement makes the most sense for your circumstances. Call your credit card issuer. If you’ve decided to handle negotiations on your own, call your credit card company and ask to speak with the debt settlement, loss mitigation or hardship department; a general customer service representative won’t have the authority to approve your request. Once you’re connected with someone who has the ability to negotiate with you, explain your situation and make your offer. Be polite but firm. Outline your terms. If you’re considering filing bankruptcy or hiring a professional to help you with your debt, let the card issuer know and mention that you’d rather work things out directly. At this point, be prepared for the card issuer to potentially freeze your credit limit or close your account. Take detailed notes and follow up if needed. If you like, you can opt to record the call, although some states require you to let the card issuer know that you’re recording the call and vice versa. Don’t be afraid to ask for a supervisor or call back multiple times over the coming days and weeks if you’re unhappy with the terms being offered. Get the agreement in writing. If the card issuer agrees to a settlement or arrangement that you’re happy with, ask for documentation. You don’t have a deal until you have it in writing. Getting help with credit card debt
When you’re overwhelmed with credit card debt, it might help to have a professional work on your behalf. In general, there are two types of companies that may be able to negotiate with credit card companies for you: debt settlement companies and credit counselors. Debt settlement companies
are for-profit businesses that will try to negotiate lump-sum settlements with your creditors. Typically, you stop making payments to your creditors and start sending funds to your debt settlement company each month to build your account. Once your account with the company grows large enough, the company will call your card issuer and make an offer to settle the debt for less than you owe. If the bank accepts the offer, the debt settlement company sends the funds to your creditor and takes a cut for its services. Debt settlement companies can potentially save you time and money, but there are potential issues with this approach. First, if you stop paying your credit card company, it will report late payments to the credit bureaus. The account may eventually be charged off, sold to a collection agency or worse. All of these actions can have serious consequences where your credit is concerned. There’s also no guarantee that your bank will be willing to negotiate. You should also be aware that debt settlement companies aren’t cheap. These companies typically charge a percentage of the amount they save you when they negotiate a debt. In the end, you could end up paying thousands of dollars for debt settlement services. Credit counseling companies
A may be able to help you negotiate credit card debt under an arrangement known as a debt management plan. A , or DMP, may help you consolidate your debts and lower your interest rates. If you meet with a credit counselor and determine that a DMP is a good fit for your situation, the credit counselor will contact your creditors (like credit card issuers) to try to negotiate a more affordable payment arrangement. If the credit counselor is successful, you begin making a single monthly payment to the credit counseling company, which, in turn, distributes smaller payments to the creditors included in your DMP. In general, a DMP may help you pay off your outstanding debts in five years or less. Although credit counseling companies are often nonprofit organizations, their services aren’t free. Many credit counseling companies charge startup fees and monthly fees (often $25 to $35) when you enroll in a DMP. Depending on how long it takes you to pay off your debt, even these small fees can add up to thousands of dollars. How does credit card debt settlement affect your credit score
If you work with a debt settlement company, the company might advise you to stop making payments on your debt during the negotiation process. This may cause your debt to fall into delinquency, which your creditors will then report to the credit bureaus. Delinquencies stay on your credit report for seven years, meaning you could feel negative impacts even after you settle the debt. Debt settlement may also if it affects your credit utilization. If you stop making payments on your debt, your balance may climb due to additional charges and late fees. Using too much of your available credit and not paying off debt will cause your score to drop while you’re in the process of settling that debt. Alternatives to credit card debt settlement
Debt settlement is the right choice for some people, but keep in mind that it will lower your credit score and make it harder to borrow money in the future. Even if you do qualify for future credit, your interest rates will be much higher than they would be if you had an excellent credit score. If you’d like to avoid debt settlement, you do have other options. Credit card balance transfer
If you have a lot of credit card debt, look for promotions on a . The terms vary by offer and card issuer, but typically you can find a 0 percent APR period that lasts between 12 and 20 months. This lets you move your credit card balance over and pay it off over a few months without facing APR charges. But not all balance transfers will move over your full amount, which means that you’ll need to make payments on your new card and your old one. You’ll likely also need to make a minimum payment every month, even if you’re not using the card and don’t have an APR. Debt consolidation loan
If you have many different kinds of debt or a lot of credit card debt, a might help. This lets you take out a lump-sum amount, pay off all of your outstanding debt and then make one monthly payment to your new loan. Debt consolidation loans tend to have lower interest rates than credit cards, helping you pay off your credit card debt without racking up even more interest charges. That said, the interest rate you’re charged depends on your credit score. Before applying for a debt consolidation, shop around with a few lenders to see which offers you the best deal and the best terms. The bottom line
Credit card negotiation may feel overwhelming, but trying to avoid the problem will only make it worse. The truth is that you have many options for reducing your debt. Whether you choose to negotiate credit card payoff yourself or work with a professional, it’s important to carefully weigh your choices and come prepared when it’s time to call your credit card company. Learn more
SHARE: Michelle Lambright Black is a credit expert with over 19 years of experience, a freelance writer and a certified credit expert witness. In addition to writing for Bankrate, Michelle's work is featured with numerous publications including FICO, Experian, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report and Reader’s Digest, among others. Aylea Wilkins is an editor specializing in personal and home equity loans. She has previously worked for Bankrate editing content about auto, home and life insurance. She has been editing professionally for nearly a decade in a variety of fields with a primary focus on helping people make financial and purchasing decisions with confidence by providing clear and unbiased information. Related Articles