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Credit card debt settlement involves satisfying your credit card debt by paying less than you really owe. Credit card debt settlement ranks low on the list of desirable debt solutions, but it’s one that some people must use to pay off debt and avoid bankruptcy.

How Credit Card Debt Settlement Works

There are two methods of credit card debt settlement: through a credit card debt settlement company or on your own. Credit card debt settlement companies should be avoided. They collect your payments for months before making a settlement offer – if they make an offer at all. Meanwhile, you continue receiving collection calls and negative payment marks on your credit report. You’ll get better and faster results settling debts on your own.

Credit Card Debt Settlement Payment Amount

Before you can settle your credit card debt, you have to decide how much you can pay. Credit card debt settlement can typically be done for 10% to 60% of the outstanding balance, depending on the creditor and age of the debt. The more delinquent your account, the lower the amount creditors are willing to accept to satisfy the debt.

Lump-Sum vs. Multiple Payments

You pay in one of two ways – multiple payments over time or a single lump-sum payment. Creditors prefer a lump sum or few payments (like 2-3) and are less likely to agree to a settlement that has to be repaid over several months. Figure out how much of the debt you can pay immediately and offer that. Once you’re negotiating with your creditor, offer an amount lower than what you’re actually willing to pay. That way, you have some wiggle room if your creditor wants to negotiate up.

Negotiating a Credit Card Debt Settlement

Once you have a credit card debt settlement offer, call your credit card company and to talk to a manager, someone in a loss mitigation, or similar department. The customer service representatives you first speak with are usually not authorized to take credit card debt settlement offers and you will always be told “no” when they couldn’t say “yes” if they wanted.

During the call, make sure you write down the name, phone number, and extension of the person you talk to. Also record the date and time of the call and the outcome. Don’t give up with a single phone call. You may get different and often conflicting answers from different people at the same creditor and sometimes even the same person on different days.

Credit Card Debt Settlement Watchouts

Your credit card company might close your credit card after settling your debt. That’s if your credit card hasn’t already been closed. You could also have your credit limit reduced or eliminated all together once the creditor realizes you don’t plan to pay the balance in full.

Credit card debt settlement typically requires you to be a few months behind on your credit card payments. At that point in time, your credit score will take a severe hit. The effect will be worse if you’re late on more than one credit card.

The federal government requires you to pay taxes on cancelled debt, including debt that’s been cancelled through credit card debt settlement. The bottom line, you owe the federal government more money which means you’ll get a smaller refund check or owe more money to the IRS.

Finalizing Your Settlement Offer

Final credit card debt settlement agreements should be in writing. Either draft an agreement of your own or have your credit card company send you an agreement. Make sure you and someone from your credit card company have both signed the agreement before you send payment.

According to CNN Money, the average American family holds over $10,000 dollars in credit card debt alone. The average interest rate on cards is in the mid teens with some cards exceeding 20 percent. Overcoming debt problems seems impossible for some but the truth is it’s quite simple. It just takes time, discipline and patience.

Track Your Spending

1. Make a list of everything you spend in a month. At the end of the month, review your list. You will likely find several items that easily can be cut from your spending.
2. Create a list of bills and other expenses. Gather all of your bills and place them in a pile. List who you owe money to, the total amount and the amount due each month. With credit card and loan agreements list, also the interest rate.
3. Pay down your highest interest debts first. These cost you far more money in the long run and usually carry heavy penalties for late payments. The sooner you can pay these off the better.
4. Avoid paying just the minimum. With credit cards, the minimum payment just covers the interest. Pay more than the minimum each month if you can afford it. You’ll start clearing the balance faster.
5. Put any left over cash in a savings account. Even small amounts start to add up. As the money accumulates you’ll have an emergency fund or extra cash to put toward debt.
6. Ask for help. If your income isn’t sufficient to cover your monthly outgoings then consider credit counseling. A good credit counseling service can negotiate with your creditors and try to freeze interest and late fees. They can also help you with creating a reasonable budget.

Whether you’re seeking out an organised debt management plan or you’re trying to resolve your debt problems alone, one of the most important things to do is to prioritise your debts. If you have debts from multiple creditors, deciding which ones are the highest priority can be difficult.

Here are the highest priority debts you should look to clear as soon as possible.

Mortgage or Rent Arrears

The simple fact of the matter is that if you fail to pay your rent or mortgage, you could lose your home. With mortgage arrears, you could even face legal action and the lender you take possession of your home. With mortgage arrears, your landlord could evict you, leaving you without a home and still owing the money. As soon as you find yourself in any difficulty meaning you cannot afford your mortgage or rent, you should contact your lender or landlord as soon as possible and explain the situation fully. Treat this as a high priority payment.

Tax, National Insurance and VAT

Failing to pay tax could lead to bankruptcy and potentially even criminal proceedings against you. This is certainly a high priority debt.

Council Tax

Again, this is a debt that should be considered high priority, as failure to pay could result in legal action against you. Hire Purchase Agreements on Essential Items. While hire purchase payments against non-essential items should be considered low priority, essential items that require a monthly payment should be high priority. Examples include a car that you use for getting to work. Any item where losing it will inhibit your ability to go to work or to live is an essential item.

Gas and Electricity

Gas and electricity companies have the right to cut the supply to your home if you fail to pay and as such this is again a high priority bill. Of course you should pay your water bill as well – though water cannot be cut off and as such should be treated as a lower priority debt.