| I'm often asked the question, "Will debt settlement | | | | Secured debts such as a home or a car are |
| affect my credit score?" | | | | collateralized. You should continue to pay these |
| It's interesting that many who call me have already | | | | accounts on time to avoid repossession or foreclosure |
| fallen behind on their payments, thus their credit may | | | | proceedings. |
| have already been affected, though it may not be | | | | By not paying your creditors, you credit will be |
| showing yet on their credit report or they just haven't | | | | adversely affected by debt settlement. However, |
| checked their credit report recently. | | | | having to experience this circumstance is almost |
| If you are current on your payments it is very difficult, if | | | | always better than a bankruptcy, especially on your |
| not impossible, to settle your debt. Typically credits | | | | credit rating. |
| want to see that you are in a hardship situation before | | | | During your debt settlement program, your total |
| they are willing to negotiate. Therefore you will have to | | | | balances are being lowered over time as they are |
| voluntarily stop paying your unsecured debts allowing | | | | settled in full: a great start to recovery. |
| them to go into delinquency before settlement. | | | | There is no reason why your credit shouldn't rebound |
| In addition you cannot pick and choose which debts | | | | upon completing your debt settlement program, and |
| you wish to settle in most cases. Your creditors or | | | | while no reputable debt settlement firm should |
| collection agencies may review your credit report and | | | | guarantee any form of credit score improvement, |
| most will be unwilling to negotiate when they see that | | | | case studies of previous clients are a great way to |
| are being offered less than what is owed to them | | | | see proven examples of the results experienced by |
| when others are being paid on time as agreed. | | | | consumers just like you. |