by Myrina Stein
If you are entrapped in overwhelming debts and looking for ways to mitigate your financial obligations, credit card debt settlement programs can resolve your credit issues and help you to relieve your stress. When you enroll in a debt settlement program, the settlement company negotiates with your credit lenders to reduce the principal as well as interest and fix an affordable settlement amount that is acceptable to both you and your credit card agencies. However, remember it has certain pitfalls as well. Debt settlement affects your credit score moderately. The effect is more than debt consolidation program, but not as bad as bankruptcy. Read on to know the following steps to settle your credit card debts wisely.
- Negotiate with your credit card companies. Ask them if they are willing to lower your current interest rates and the entire loan amount. Don’t feel hesitant as maximum they can do is they can turn down your repayment proposal.
- It is always difficult to convince the creditors to settle the account at a lower interest rate. Do not expect cordial response from them. Speak to a supervisor or department manager who is generally responsible for payments arrangements and settlements. You can address a letter to him as well. Be very specific in regards of your payments, dates and amounts. Keep all your current bills, settlement offer letter, income proofs and other significant documentation on hand before you call the creditor.
- Remember, your main aim is to get your debt amount reduced to a manageable amount. While negotiating with the creditors, ask them to remove your late fees and finance charges from your account. Aim at 30 to 40 % reduction in your total balance amount, if your lenders are unwilling to give consent to this diminution, drop your debt settlement plan for the time being.
There are certain pitfalls which can derail your efforts to settle your credit card debts. Avoid them to eliminate or ease your debt burden and rebuild your credits.
- You can settle your debts on your own but you can take the expert advice from a debt settlement company as well. Shop around before you finalize your deal with the debt settlement company, make sure you hire a B.B.B (Better Business Bureau) accredited debt settlement company for yourself.
- Keep records of all of your conversations with the creditors including the dates and time. It comes in help, if there is any dispute over payments or settlement arrangements.
- While communicating with the creditors, be cautious not to argue or use any profane language. As most of your calls would be monitored and recorded by your credit card agencies any indecent behavior from your end can make the situation even more difficult for you. It may make creditors less likely to offer you a favorable settlement amount.
- Always get the settlement terms and condition through official letters. Verbal commitments won’t be regarded as valid documents in this regard.
- Know your rights as a consumer. Go through Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. It can save you, from unnecessary creditor’s harassment.
So, the bottom line is just like any other debt relief programs, debt settlement program has its pros and cons as well, but once you learn to deal with its disadvantages you can attain financial freedom and can save a large amount of cash in your wallet.