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Information on credit solution company

Mark Cappel
UpdatedMar 26, 2024

I'm considering a credit solution company, how much would this hurt my credit score and rating?

I"m considering a credit solution company for 3 credit cards totalling $9,000.00. I was told I would be debt free in 36 months and the debt would be reduced to half the amount. I want to refinance my house in the next 6 months. Would I still be able to if I'm under a credit solution program? How much would this hurt my credit score and rating? Is is the same effect as bankruptcy on my credit?

Thanks for your question, and yes... there are a variety of firms out there offering credit solutions. It sounds like you have found a credit solution company that offers negotiated debt settlement. This is a program where you do NOT pay your bills and instead accumulate funds that will be used for lump sum settlements, paid at a significant discount to help you save money.

It is really important for you to be VERY aware that this will really harm your credit rating in the short-term, and that there is NO way that you will get a refinance on your mortgage while in the program. BUT... there is no debt resolution program (other than a straight debt consolidation loan) that will not harm your credit and your ability to get a loan.

I cannot speak specifically to the Credit Solution Company that you are talking to, but you should always do your homework.

Generally, I would make sure that any firm you choose is a member of the Better Business Bureau and get a sense for the quality of the organization (www.bbb.org )

If you are curious about all of your alternative solutions, I'll outline a few below. Since debt consolidation comes in many forms, it is important that each consumer reflects on what their needs and concerns and financial situation is before signing up for an online debt consolidation program. The four primary concerns for most consumers are: i) monthly payment, ii) time to debt freedom, iii) total cost, and iv) the credit rating impact of the consolidation program. Be sure to evaluate each program, relative to your prioritization of these factors.

Credit Counseling

Credit counseling, or signing up for a debt management plan, is a very common form of online debt consolidation. There are many companies offering online credit counseling, which is essentially a way to make one payment directly to the credit counseling agency, which then distributes that payment to your creditors. Most times, a credit counseling agency will be able to lower your monthly payments by getting interest rate concessions from your lenders or creditors. It is important to understand that in a credit counseling program, you are still repaying 100% of your debts ? but with lower monthly payments. On average, most online credit counseling programs take around five years. While most credit counseling programs do not impact your FICO score, being enrolled in a credit counseling debt management plan DOES show up on your credit report? and, unfortunately, many lenders look at enrollment in credit counseling akin to filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy ? or using a third party to re-organize your debts.

Debt Settlement

Debt settlement, also called debt negotiation, is a form of online debt consolidation that cuts your total debt, sometimes over 50%, with lower monthly payments. Debt settlement programs typically run around three years. It is important to keep in mind, however, that during the life of your debt settlement program, you are NOT paying your creditors. This means that a debt settlement solution of online debt consolidation will negatively impact your credit rating. Your credit rating will not be good, at a minimum, for the term of your debt settlement program. However, debt settlement is usually the fastest and cheapest way to debt freedom, with a low monthly payment, while avoiding Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. The trade-off here is a negative credit rating versus saving money.

Debt Consolidation Loan

Many people think first of a debt consolidation loan when seeking online debt consolidation. This option typically means a second home loan (or home equity line of credit) or refinancing your primary mortgage. In a debt consolidation loan, you exchange one loan for another. The most frequent form is taking out a mortgage loan, which carries a lower interest rate and is tax deductible, to pay off high interest rate credit card debt. It is important to be aware that shifting unsecured debt to secured debt can create a volatile situation, if there is ever a chance that you cannot afford the new mortgage payment you are now putting yourself at risk of foreclosure! In the case of a debt consolidation loan, most mortgages are 30 year loan, which means that the total cost and the time to debt freedom could be very high? but the monthly payment will be lower than other options and there is no credit rating impact.

If you want an introduction to pre-screened mortgage lenders that can help you evaluate these complicated decisions, Bills.com makes it easy to compare mortgage offers and different loan types. Please visit the loan page and find if there is a lender that meets your needs at:

https://www.bills.com/mortage/refinance/

Net-net: while there are many forms of online debt consolidation, many people with good to perfect credit who own homes should look into debt consolidation loans, while consumers with high credit card debt and poor credit may want to explore debt settlement or debt negotiation. However, each consumer is different, so find the online debt consolidation option that fits for you.

Bills.com makes it easy for you to apply for qualified providers of debt help, by following this link: https://www.bills.com/debthelp/debt/

I hope this helped you.

Bill

www.bills.com

Dealing with debt

If you are struggling with debt, you are not alone. According to the NY Federal Reserve total household debt as of Quarter Q4 2023 was $17.503 trillion. Student loan debt was $1.601 trillion and credit card debt was $1.129 trillion.

According to data gathered by Urban.org from a sample of credit reports, about 26% of people in the US have some kind of debt in collections. The median debt in collections is $1,739. Student loans and auto loans are common types of debt. Of people holding student debt, approximately 8% had student loans in collections. The national Auto/Retail debt delinquency rate was 4%.

Collection and delinquency rates vary by state. For example, in Maryland, 16% have student loan debt. Of those holding student loan debt, 8% are in default. Auto/retail loan delinquency rate is 4%.

While many households can comfortably pay off their debt, it is clear that many people are struggling with debt. Make sure that you analyze your situation and find the best debt payoff solutions to match your situation.

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2 Comments

BBill, Sep, 2009
Michael -hang in there, but I can tell you that many credit or debt solutions companies are not as good as others, so it's important to pick the right one.
mmichael badas, Sep, 2009
Over a year ago I filed my credit cards with a debt solutions company. Now one of my creditors have filed a civil suit against trying to garnish my wages. How is this possible. the creditors will not work with the debt solutions company.