Tuesday, April 13, 2004

Is it Better to Settle a Credit Card or Pay it in Full?

Is it Better to Settle a Credit Card or Pay it in Full?

Credit card debt can be inhibiting to consumers, especially when the credit-card holder cannot afford the minimum required payment. When a debtor cannot pay the bill, the creditor can turn the account over to collections. This may present the consumer with options.

Identification

    Once a credit card account is transitioned to a collections agency or attorney, the debtor is still obligated to satisfy the debt either in full or through a settlement. Most settlement offers are for between 30 percent and 50 percent of the total account balance.

Benefits

    Something positive that can be achieved through agreeing to a settlement offer is that the consumer can satisfy the debt by paying an amount that is lower than the total account balance. This is a way for the collections agency to receive some money on the account and for the debtor to be relieved from a debt they cannot afford to pay in full.

Considerations

    If a consumer concurs with a settlement agreement rather than paying the full balance on the account, their credit history will reflect that they were relieved from a debt for an amount that was less than the total balance due. Potential creditors will see this information when checking the consumer's credit history and this may sway the financial institution's decision to lend to this consumer.

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