For example, if you negotiate a debt settlement, your credit card issuer might agree to accept a $2,000 payment on a $5,000 debt. If the issuer is willing to come to the negotiating table, a lower lump sum may not be the only option to settle the debt. However, when you settle a debt that’s on your credit report, it can negatively affect your credit.
Credit Score Impact
Most of your credit and loan obligations are reported to the credit bureaus each month. Your account status is listed on your credit report indicating whether your payments are on time, late, or the account is closed. For instance, your credit card company will likely close your credit card after settling your debt. You could also have your credit limit reduced or eliminated altogether once the creditor realizes that you don’t plan to pay the balance in full. Because you aren’t paying your full balance as agreed, debt settlements impact your credit score negatively. Your credit is based on several different factors, so the exact impact on your score can vary depending on the other information on your credit report.
FICO Score Examples
A credit score is a measurement of the likelihood that you’ll pay back the money you borrowed in the form of a loan, mortgage, or credit card. Credit scores also factor in how well borrowers pay their bills on time. A FICO credit score is a type of scoring model used to calculate your credit score and is used by banks, lenders, and credit providers in making a decision to extend credit to you or not. Your score also determines, in part, the interest rate and credit limit you’ll receive on your credit products. Credit scoring companies don’t provide the exact details about how scores are calculated, and it can vary depending on the metrics used in the calculation. However, FICO released FICO score loss information based on hypothetical consumers with different credit scores. In one scenario, a person with a 680 credit score and one late payment on the credit card would lose between 45 and 65 points after debt settlement for one credit card, while a person with a 780 credit score and no other late payments would lose between 140 and 160 points. Your credit score might experience a similar drop if you have a credit profile similar to these scenarios and you’re settling only one debt. Your credit score could fall even further if you settle on multiple accounts.
Late Payments Preceding Debt Settlement
Debt settlement will hurt your credit score more if the credit cards you settle are already in good standing and if you end up settling multiple credit card accounts. Debt settlement information will remain on your credit report for seven years, but it will have less of an impact on your credit score the older the information gets and as more positive information is added to your credit report.
Rebuilding Your Credit
The goal of debt settlement is to get rid of some of your debt, particularly if you can’t afford to pay all the balances in full. That may mean that you temporarily sacrifice your credit score—especially if you’re not looking for a major loan right now—for the sake of getting out of debt. Once you’ve settled the balances, you can focus on rebuilding your credit score. Since credit is based on borrowing, you’ll have to use credit cards or loans to rebuild your credit. Responsible borrowing and timely payments are key to achieving a good credit score and staying out of debt. But remember that debt settlement can stick you with an unexpected bill. The federal government requires you to pay taxes on cancelled debt, including debt that’s been cancelled through credit card debt settlement. That means you’ll either get a smaller refund check or owe more money to the IRS.
