Monday, May 24, 2010

Impact of Debt Relief on a Credit Rating

One of the top concerns from people who are deep in debt and considering a debt-relief program is how their credit rating would be affected. With a debt-relief program, you stop paying your creditors and start paying a credit-counseling service or debt-management firm. Most creditors will start reporting negative information on your credit history after 30 days, so what will happen to your credit rating if you join a debt-management plan?

Misconceptions

    When you apply for a debt-relief program, your debt counselors or lawyers are supposed to contact all of your creditors to notify them that you are on a debt-management program so you can avoid a bad credit rating. This doesn't always work.

Considerations

    Some creditors will report your account as "on a debt-relief program," while others will continue collection activities and report negative information to your credit report, which will reduce your score.

Effects

    Enrolling in a debt-relief program could potentially increase your debt load and increase your interest rates over time, if your creditors are not paid on time and in full as promised by the program.

Warning

    New creditors might look at your participation in a debt-management program as a risk, even if your credit rating doesn't decrease.

Insight

    Most creditors would prefer that you first come to them to manage your debt before going to a debt-relief program to save money and your credit score.

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