How to settle your credit
card debt
Many debtors often ask “How is
it possible to settle credit
card debt without using a "credit counselor"?
The fact is, in reality credit counselors don't
actually settle your debt, they facilitate in
availing debt
management solution by coordinating with your
creditors. To avoid such misconceptions, it’s
important to understand how the credit and debt
stuff really works.. It’s not mandatory to avail
the benefits offered by a debt settlement
company to succeed. You can do it yourself.
•
Credit counselors do not “settle” your debts
During bill
consolidation activity counselors are able to
decrease the interest rates and negotiate a new
balance through a debt management plan in which you
pay them a single payment each month, while they
redeem your creditors on your behalf.
•
Your accounts must be delinquent
It’s generally believed that the
debtor’s account must be delinquent to qualify for
debt
settlement or credit card consolidation
facilities. This is true in majority of the cases,
however it’s not a requirement. If the debtor
desiring to avail the benefit is able to convince
the lender it’s going to be very difficult in the
future to redeem the outstanding dues, and the
lender feels debt
management facilities are required, it’s quite
possible he or she might consent to the facility,
and help the debtor benefit from the facilities.
•
Documentation is better than conversation
Collection agencies usually
record all their telephonic conversations carried
out with their debtors during the debt settlement
program, and this information is usually stored
for some “later use”. Often agencies claim that the
recordings are to be used for "quality assurance"
reasons, however this information is saved so it
can be used against the debtor. Since the phone
option is not recommended, the other possible
alternative is to correspond through letters. It’s
a good idea to “send” everything via “Registered
Mail” or “Receipt Requested”. This can help you
retain some confirmation for the correspondence
sent. It’s also recommended you “save” everything
received, and a copy of all your letters sent.
How to accomplish your goal of settling credit
card debt by yourself
To avail debt solutions on your
own, and to eliminate
debt, the following points can help you prepare
for your self negotiation plan:
• A lot of time is required to document,
communicate, arbitrate, and follow up to
effectively avail the benefits.
• Many strategies and factors affect the end result
which an inexperience person might not be aware of.
• It’s important to avoid pitfalls in order to
proceed ahead.
• If you can settle for 2/3rds of the total debt,
it can be a considered a “good effort”.
• The general understanding of industry
professionals is that when debtors settle credit
card debt on their own, it’s not possible to gain
more than 20% benefit while considering the total
outstanding balance. Professional negotiators can
help to avail about 50% settlements quite effectively.
Many companies offer free debt
consolidation facilities, which can be useful
to you if you plan to settle your debts on your
own. In addition to the debt management facilities,
several companies also offer private student school
loan consolidation programs. It important to
know that one can also avail federal
consolidation loans which offer really
attractive interest rates.