Definition of a Delinquent Credit Card Account

Each month, credit card users receive a statement from the card issuer that explains charges and requests payment. Although a credit card account may become late when the due date passes, it becomes delinquent when the borrower does not remit payment for at least 30 days.

Definition of Delinquent

Although the Princeton University definition of the word, "Delinquent" indicates that a credit card account becomes delinquent when payment is not rendered by the listed due date, one financial website offers a slightly different definition. According to Bankrate.com, credit card accounts transition from, "Late," to, "Delinquent" when the customer has not remitted a required payment for 30 days.

Consequences

According to Bankrate.com, credit card issuers may tack on considerable late payment fees when borrowers allow accounts to become delinquent. In addition, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, notes that creditors may report borrower's payment status to credit reporting agencies once they become delinquent.

Alternatives

In some situations, borrowers face challenges that prevent them from remitting payment by the due date. In these scenarios, Bankrate.com recommends that borrowers contact the creditor to work out a payment arrangement. Some creditors may work with potentially delinquent borrowers by temporarily lowering minimum payments or offering a revised due date.