What Debts Can Be Reported to a Credit Bureau

Credit bureaus are agencies that monitor someone's overall credit history. Banks, creditors or lenders can report a delinquent debt to a credit bureau for most types of debts, including credit cards, mortgage or rent payments or a variety of other loans. When a delinquent debt is reported to a credit bureau, the person who owes that debt takes a negative hit on his credit report. He can fix the negative mark by paying off the debt or becoming current on payments.

Credit Cards

Missing or late payments on your credit card debt will most likely be reported to credit bureaus soon after the payment due date passes. One late or missed payment will result in a minor negative drop in your credit score, which you can correct quickly to bring the score back up. But, several missed payments, or a missed payment that is several months old, will result in larger drops in your credit score. The best way to avoid this is to make all payments on time. Set up an auto pay system from your bank account so you do not have to remember to pay manually each month. Also, if you think you will miss a payment, call your credit card company before the due date and ask for an extension or alternate solution. If you have a good payment history, they will likely work with you to avoid a negative credit score.

Mortgages

Mortgages are another type of debt that will be reported to a credit bureau if your account becomes delinquent. Like credit card companies, mortgage companies will likely work with you to avoid the negative score on your credit report if you call them in advance, before you miss a payment. They can arrange payment plans to help bring your account current and avoid any negative reports to a credit bureau. Landlords can also report late or missed rent payments.

Student Loans

Student loans also can be reported to credit bureaus if you miss or are late on your monthly payments. Student loan companies offer a few options for people struggling to make payments, such as refinancing the debt to reduce monthly payment amounts, forbearance to get a few months off from the payments with no impact on your credit report or deferred payments to delay upcoming or past due payments. Call your student loan company to see which options are available to you to avoid negative credit scores.

Other Debts

Other debts can also be reported to credit bureaus, such as debts to banks, lenders or other documented debts. Several services and companies exist to help people report outstanding debt to the credit bureaus. Some people will send you a letter threatening to report your debt to the bureaus as an attempt to get you to make a payment. They may or may not actually report the debt, as the process to report a debt can be tedious for someone not used to doing it.