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Consolidate My Accounts With Debt Collectors?

Consolidate My Accounts With Debt Collectors?
Mark Cappel
UpdatedMar 11, 2024

Can I consolidate all my accounts with debt collectors into one payment?

I am wondering how I can, or if there is a way to put all of my debts into one. In other words, I want to be able to make a payment to one debt collector and have it divided among all of them. Is it possible?

You ask if you can consolidate your debt payments. The answer is yes, you have three options to consolidate accounts in collections, but not exactly the way you proposed in your question.

Your three debt consolidations options are:

  • Credit counseling paired with a debt management plan
  • Debt settlement
  • Debt consolidation loan

Let's look at each option briefly.

Use Credit Counseling to Consolidate Your Accounts

Credit counseling consolidates your accounts in a three-step process. In step one, you meet with a credit counselor who goes over your household budget with a fine-tooth comb. Your counselor will recommend you set priorities on your spending, and find ways to cut your monthly spending. The counselor comes up with a payment for your enrolled accounts, which is usually 3% of your total balances. In this step, you need to determine if you can afford this payment every month for 5 years.

In step two, your credit counselor contacts each of your enrolled creditors and asks for a break on their interest rate, which is called the concession rate. The credit counselor creates a debt management plan (DMP) as each creditor agrees to a concession rate and monthly payment amount.

In step three, you make a monthly payment to the credit counselor, which slices up your payment and pays each creditor the agreed-up amount.

Because you make one payment to the credit counselor, which is them paid to your enrolled creditors, credit counseling is considered a form of debt consolidation.

Debt Settlement Can Consolidate Your Accounts

Debt settlement consolidates your accounts in an aggressive two-step process. In a credit counseling DMP, you repay 100% of your balance due. By contrast, in a debt settlement plan, the debt settlement company you hire negotiates lump-sum settlements to each of your enrolled debts. Debt settlement results in a faster time to debt freedom than a credit counseling DMP, and at a lower cost.

In your first step, you hire a debt settlement company that discusses your household budget and how much you have available each month to devote to a debt settlement program. The debt settlement company reviews each account you wish to enroll, and gives you an expected range of time it will take to settle your accounts. You choose to stop making your payments to your enrolled creditors, and instead make monthly deposits into a special bank account.

In step two, the debt settlement company starts negotiating deals with each enrolled creditor to settle the account. Typical settlements range from 40 to 60 cents on the dollar, though some creditors accept less for a quick settlement, and others demand larger settlement amounts.

The average debt settlement plan costs less and takes less time than the average credit counseling DMP, but has a harsher impact on your credit score. If you’ve already missed payments on your accounts, then your credit score has already suffered to the point that additional harm is not significant.

If you have problems paying your credit card debts, consult with a Bills.com debt resolution partner who can discuss your options.

Consolidate Your Accounts With a Consolidation Loan

You may think of a consolidation loan to handle your debt problem. The most common consolidation loan is a cash-out refinance. A cash-out refinance is available if you own a home with equity. You refinance your home loan, pull equity out of your home, and use the cash to pay-off your debts.

A cash-out refinance can cut your monthly debt payments, which is great if you're house-rich but cash-poor.

A cash-out refinance has downsides. Your monthly payments may be less, but your lifetime interest costs are higher because you stretched your debt payments over the life of the mortgage. This strategy puts you at risk of foreclosure if you cannot pay your higher house payment.

If you do not have equity in your home and have a high credit score, you may be able to qualify for a debt consolidation loan. Check with your local banks, credit unions, and Wells Fargo for a debt consolidation loan.

Your Question About Account Consolidation

You ask if it’s possible for a debt collector to buy all of your collection accounts, and then make one payment to the collector to pay-off your debts. What you suggest is possible in theory, but it is unlikely to happen in practice.

Always validate a debt

Creditors sell many collection accounts to debt brokers in big block. Brokers then slice and dice the collection accounts into smaller numbers and then sell them to collection agents. The debt collection business today is dominated by a half-dozen large companies employing hundreds of collectors, and thousands of mom-and-pop collection agencies run by entrepreneurs. It is possible two of your accounts may wind-up at the same agency, but it is more likely your collection accounts will be scattered like leaves on a gusty fall day.

Another Option

One other option to consider is bankruptcy. Read the Bills.com bankruptcy advice page to learn more, and if your debt qualifies for bankruptcy.

Visit our debt consolidation and bill consolidation page to read a different perspective on how to view your account consolidation options.

I hope this information helps you Find. Learn & Save.

Best,

Bill

Bills.com

Struggling with debt?

Mortgages, credit cards, student loans, personal loans, and auto loans are common types of debts. According to the NY Federal Reserve total household debt as of Q4 2023 was $17.503 trillion. Housing debt totaled $12.612 trillion and non-housing debt was $4.891 trillion.

A significant percentage of people in the US are struggling with monthly payments and about 26% of households in the United States have debt in collections. According to data gathered by Urban.org from a sample of credit reports, the median debt in collections is $1,739. Credit card debt is prevalent and 3% have delinquent or derogatory card debt. The median debt in collections is $422.

Each state has its rate of delinquency and share of debts in collections. For example, in Massachusetts credit card delinquency rate was 3%, and the median credit card debt was $417.

To maintain an excellent credit score it is vital to make timely payments. However, there are many circumstances that lead to late payments or debt in collections. The good news is that there are a lot of ways to deal with debt including debt consolidation and debt relief solutions.

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3 Comments

MMaineMoments, May, 2023
Can debt collectors consolidate medical debts of one provider, but of varying dates, into one lump sum to meet the $500 threshold for reporting?
PPatricia Clarke, Dec, 2020

I have several credit cards in collections as well as a apartment complex for a broken lease. Can these be consolidated into one monthly payment?

JJosh, Aug, 2021

Hello Patricia,

Thank you for reaching out to us. Everyone's debt is different, and your residence can influence which accounts can enroll. We recommend speaking with our affiliates Freedom Debt Relief.
They would be happy to proivde a free consultation, and help help you make an informed decison. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Regards, Josh