Eligibility for a credit card settlement depends on the credit card company and whether or not they feel like you can pay off your debt.  Your best chance of being accepted for a settlement is if you can prove to your credit card company that you cannot pay off the debt and that you are at the point where you are considering bankruptcy. In order to convince your credit card company that there is a strong possibility that you are on the verge of filing for bankruptcy you must convince them that you are definitely unable to pay, you don’t have many assets to lose, and your income is not sufficient enough for you to consider debt reorganization.

Many accounts settle anywhere form 30%-70%. The time period it takes to complete this settlement varies depending on the decisions made by the debtor and the credit card company. If the process is wanted to go by as quickly as possible then it can range anywhere from three to nine months. However if the process is stretched out then it can take roughly a year or two. The choice to draw out the process can lead to consequences. For example, since the credit card company is still charging you interest on the outstanding balance, drawing out the process is only going to cause you to keep paying this interest. Also, a credit card company is more likely to take you to court the longer you draw out the process. Finally, the longer it takes you to settle your debt the longer you are considered to have bad credit.

Although having to deal with a credit card settlement is not always fun, it is sometimes a much needed approach to dealing with your debt.  Credit card settlement can greatly impact your credit score, therefore much consideration must go in the route you want to take to pay off your debt.

Are you in the red too? Street is up in arms about the mortgage crisis. No one seems to ask why things have gotten to this point. They rightfully blame poor mortgage standards.  While the mortgage business is imploding, everyone is focused on the mortgage companies that are to blame yet the market is still home buying / selling.

This is taking the focus off of credit card companies and how your credit score.  The drop in scrutiny on credit card issuers has resulted in higher interest rates, higher penalties and higher balance transfer fees and people everywhere learn how to improve your credit score. Lots of companies claim that you can raise your credit score and improve your credit and credit report making your credit history far more attractive.

But no one seems to notice that the terms on many of their credit card agreements have worsened over the past year.

However there are also many charlatans running the show.  To start with, if you are asking questions, here are some of the the starter questions:  Major affiliation:  Does the credit counseling agency have major industry affiliation like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling. If yes, the agency deserves some credibility. To find out all you need to do is make one call to your Better Business Bureau and the other to your state attorney.

Ask how many consumer complaints have been leveled against the particular consumer credit counseling business that you are thinking of dealing with. This should clear up any mysteries about the company’s reputation fast. If you should find yourself in a position of being financial overstretched, you need to give careful consideration to how you decide to proceed and how to improve.

You might want above all to keep credit worthy, but remember that self-worth is ultimately not dependent on your ability to locate and procure funds, (funds that will eventually need to be repaid). One of the most effective things you can do is pay your bills on time and stay away from additional credit cards, they may not improve credit scores.