If you are currently drowning in credit card debt, you are not the only one. Before the pandemic, American consumer credit debt was at an all-time high. Many Americans are in the same predicament as you. Unmanageable credit card debt can make you feel incredibly powerless.
When your minimum payments have become barely affordable, and the monthly interest charges make all your repayment efforts feel fruitless, it can feel like there is no way out. You may have even gotten to the point where you need to take out online fast cash loans just to cover the payments. If you have become so used to relying on credit cards to manage your expenses, it might feel like you simply cannot live without them.
However, we can assure you that there is a way out, and your life can be much easier once you make it out the other side. If you are considering the option of declaring bankruptcy but are still hesitant about taking that route, we suggest looking into how to negotiate credit card debt.
There is an automatic assumption that credit card companies are unwilling to help you manage your credit card debt. Still, you might be surprised at the options that could be available to you if you are simply willing to communicate your needs.
Is It Possible To Negotiate Credit Card Debt?
Contrary to popular belief, bankruptcy is not necessary for debt settlement. Credit card issuers are far more amenable to negotiating credit card debt than commonly understood. Thinking about this issue from the credit card company’s perspective can help understand why they are so often willing to negotiate debt with customers.
Why Would a Credit Card Company Be Willing To Negotiate Debt?
Credit cards are unsecured debt, so if you are not able to pay your debt, the credit card company loses a significant amount of money. They would much prefer you to pay the outstanding debt rather than default or resort to bankruptcy to rid yourself of it. Given a choice, credit card companies would choose debt settlements at a reduced balance if it means they will lose less money.
Additionally, your credit card issuer knows that they are likely at the bottom of your priority list when it comes to bills when you are in financial trouble. Sure, missing credit card payments will result in late fees and damage your credit score, but your housing and other essential needs always come first.
Therefore, credit card companies can become incredibly willing to negotiate credit debt settlement when it might be their best option of getting a majority of their money back.
Determining When Debt Negotiation Is Necessary
The decision to pursue credit card debt settlement options should not be taken lightly. Before deciding to try to negotiate your debt with your credit card company, look into any other options that might be possible for you. Analyze your income closely to determine if you can adjust your budget to afford a debt repayment plan like the snowball or avalanche method.
You can also do a bit of research into whether debt consolidation or balance transfers could make your debts more manageable. In some instances, when a borrower can consolidate credit card debt through a personal loan, a lowered interest rate, and a single monthly payment cause repayment to become feasible again.
If you can reduce expenses enough to pay over the minimum payment, then it might be worth it to try living more frugally to pay off your debt in this way. But if your credit card debt cannot be resolved through more traditional means, then, and only then, should you pursue negotiating credit card debt.
Second To Last Resort
It isn’t accurate to say that debt settlement should be your last resort as that is likely bankruptcy. Debt negotiation is your second to last resort, the solution you explore before filing bankruptcy. There are instances where bankruptcy is necessary, and even settling debt directly with the credit card issuer will not suffice.
However, most financial experts advise borrowers to first contact their credit card companies to see if a solution can be worked out before resorting to bankruptcy.
Debt Settlement Types
It might be comforting to those who feel intimidated by the prospect of negotiating credit card debt that many borrowers have taken this path in the past. Many credit card issuers work directly with debt settlement companies and already have organized plans in place for debt settlement.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of debt management plans offered by debt settlement companies:
Workout Agreement
A workout agreement is a plan for repayment typically made after your credit card account is already in default. Entering into a workout agreement with your credit card company might get you an interest rate reduction and/or a cancellation of late fees you might have accrued in your default.
In addition to this, the credit card company might offer you a payment plan with a more affordable minimum monthly payment. You must comply with the terms of the workout agreement to retain the new interest rates and payment plan. If you are out of compliance, your card issuer does not need to notify you before increasing the interest rates.
Lump-sum Agreement
A lump-sum settlement allows you to handle your debt with a single payment. Typically, a credit card company is willing to accept a significantly reduced amount if you can handle it in a lump-sum payment. Credit card companies often prefer this lump-sum settlement plan because it means they can get a majority of the debt owed at once without worrying about the borrower defaulting again.
For example, let’s imagine you owe $10,000 on a credit card account. The credit card company and the debt settlement company they work with may agree to settle your debt with a lump sum of $7,000. Keep in mind that this debt management plan could have unintended tax consequences as, if reported to the IRS, the debt reduction could be considered taxable income.
Hardship Plan
Suppose you are experiencing unique circumstances in your financial situation, such as a job loss or medical issues. In that case, some debt settlement companies might enroll you in a hardship program to handle your credit card debts. A hardship plan is a debt settlement program typically designed specifically for the borrower’s unique financial situation.
Debt management through a hardship program was commonly offered by credit card issuers during the COVID-19 pandemic as a means of debt relief for many during a trying financial crisis. There isn’t a set criterion that every debt settlement company abides by. The best way to see if your circumstances qualify you for a hardship plan is to discuss it directly with your card issuer.
Strategies for How To Negotiate Credit Card Debt
If you believe one or more of these debt management or settlement options could help you with your credit card debt, it is time to devise a game plan for broaching the topic with your card issuer. This is often the most intimidating aspect of attempting to negotiate credit card debt. Having a few simple steps to follow can make it a lot easier.
- Review Your Debt and Your Options
The best way to prepare yourself is to review all the facts concerning your Credit card debt. How much do you owe? How many credit cards do you have, and what is the balance on each? How many missed payments do you have on your credit report? What available credit do you still have? What is your current interest rate, and what interest rate would be more manageable for you to pay? What kind of monthly payments would be affordable with your current finances?
Answer all these questions for yourself, so you can determine what debt management plan could work for you. If you are looking into lump-sum settlements, figure out exactly how much you can offer the credit card company.
You want to be sure of what kind of plan you need and what you can afford before calling your credit card company so you can’t be talked into something that isn’t right for you.
- Call Your Credit Card Company
Gather all the customer service phone numbers for each card issuer. Write down their information with all the details you have about your debt so you can have it all in one place. Plan when you will call the credit card company, so you have enough time to not feel rushed. It might take a while, so it’s good to schedule a time when you won’t be distracted or frazzled.
Prepare yourself to experience holds and transfers between departments. Don’t allow yourself to feel put off if the customer service representative exhibits a lack of understanding or an unwillingness to negotiate at first. Once you lay out your case firmly, you might see a shift in attitude.
- State Your Terms
State clearly that you are struggling to make your minimum payment and why. Be as factual as possible but make it clear to the card issuer that you have explored other avenues and conclude that relief in the form of a hardship, management, or settlement plan is necessary.
If you know what you can afford and how you wish to manage the debt given the options, state your terms to the representative. Whether you want to pay a single sum or work with a debt settlement company for a payment plan, state what you wish to do firmly, calmly, and confidently.
- Pay Close Attention
We highly recommend that you take detailed notes throughout the phone call and ask questions that come to mind. Pay as close attention as possible to keep track of all the information the representative offers you just in case it becomes relevant later.
If the person you have been talking with for a while has to transfer you, stick with it, especially if it will lead you to someone with more authority. You may need to call back several times, but persistence will help you be taken seriously. Keep at it until they are ready to work with you, so you don’t need to resort to contacting a bankruptcy attorney.
- Get Any Agreement You Make in Writing
If any of the credit card companies you are attempting to negotiate with agree to some kind of settlement with you, request that they send you the agreement in writing. Only when you get the settlement agreement in writing will it be official.
Additionally, do not hesitate to ask as many questions as you need about the agreement and how it will affect you. What is the interest rate you will be paying? How will the agreement affect your credit report? Will you still be able to use the available credit on your card’s credit line? What other terms and conditions do you need to be aware of?
It is vitally important that you know precisely how any amount of forgiven debt might impact you and what terms you need to be in compliance with to avoid negative consequences.
How Will Debt Settlement Affect Your Credit Score?
Negotiating credit card debt will impact your credit score, which is one of the reasons it should only be done when your options are limited. Your credit score might have taken a hit already if you had missing payments on your credit card bills. If you were already in default or on the verge of default, you likely lost your good credit score a while back.
Credit card companies and the debt settlement companies they work with may report updates on your accounts to the major credit bureaus. This will obviously be better for your credit score than continually missed payments or remaining the standing of default.
However, when you settle the debt through negotiation, your credit card issuer will not report it to the credit bureaus as paid in full but rather as settled, which counts as a negative mark on your credit report.
Though this might feel incredibly discouraging, know that it is perfectly possible to recover from debt settlement’s harmful impact on your credit. Credit counselors assure borrowers that they are fully capable of achieving a good credit score again if they are willing to put in the work.
References:
How To Negotiate Credit Card Debt – Forbes Advisor
6 Strategies To Negotiate Your Credit Card Debts – Upsolve
How to Negotiate Credit Card Debt | The Ascent
