Getting behind on CC

[Anonymous]

Hey everyone I am falling behind on my CC.  I have several that have very high payments and we are just broke right now.  I am struggling to find money for my mortgage. I don't want to have to file a chapter 13, but I may have no choice.  I want to try everything I can in order not to have to do that.  Are the CCC willing to work with you and what do they do to help you get caught up and not to ruin your credit.  Anyone have any expierence with this and what creditors are the most willing to help you?

Thanks

[_andClimbing]

I was in this position last year when I lost my job. I called all of my creditors - CCs AND auto loans - and explained my situation. I told them I was struggling to keep up with payments, expected to be employed again within 90 days, etc - the whole story. Many of them worked with me. Auto loans agreed to defer payments (one month on each of 2 loans), some CCs put me on reduced minimum payment plans for 4 to 6 months. When I called, I made it clear that I wanted to remain in good standing and simply asked what options I had. I had to close my HSBC plat as a condition of the payment plan, but others just suspended my charging privileges until I was out of the payment plan.

When all was said and done, I had caught up financially, resumed my regular monthly payments, and the CCs & auto lenders reported on-time payments for me each month to the CRAs. The first thing I tell any friend when they are struggling is CALL YOUR CREDITORS. They want their money, or at least want to know when they are going to get it. If you tell them BEFORE you get in to trouble, they are (often) more willing to work with you.

Hang in there, and good luck.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, were there any that just weren't willing to help out and which ones seemed the most willing?

Thanks

[_andClimbing]

Applied Bank and Merrick Bank put me into a hardship program - reduced monthly payment. Applied temp. reduced my APR as well. Merrick rate jacked me to 35%. Accounts remained open but suspended privileges. Restored my privileges after I completed the programs.

Sam's Club closed my account, reduced my APR, but re-opened my account and gave me a CLI after I paid the balance in full.

HSBC closed my account, reduced my monthly payment by half and reduced APR for 6 months. Reverted to 15.9% APR after 6 months, but account remains closed (still paying monthly on balance).

Cap One and Orchard Bank - my minimum payments were dropped to $20 on each for about 4 months (which wasn't much less than they were @ about $40 each).

GEMB was not willing to work with me.

Cap One Auto and Americredit (auto loans) each deferred a payment for me.

That's all the info I can find from my records. Hope it helps.

[Verde]

What about payment protection plan? Most ccs offer it and if you lose your job or have any other major complication in your life they will suspend payments for up to 6 months if i am not mistaken.

[haulingthescoreup]

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@Verde wrote:
What about payment protection plan? Most ccs offer it and if you lose your job or have any other major complication in your life they will suspend payments for up to 6 months if i am not mistaken.

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You have to watch out with these things. We've had a few members here who tried to use theirs, and the CCC said they weren't covered. For anyone thinking of them, you'd do better just to put the premiums in a savings account and use the money for a rainy day.

[JTReserve]

My advice would be to watch out with GE.  When I was on medical leave two years ago, I was about 90 days late with a payment and I was contacted by an attorney even though I had let the CC know what the issues were.  I was able to pay them in full and avoid further problems, but just an FYI......

[Creditaddict]

Citi has a 12 month payment plan program that is usually 0% or like 2% interest and reduced payments, but they do set up auto debits for the payments from your checking account for these 12 months.

I had called citi before i went late and they told me no options, just pay.

once I missed a payment, they were very quick to work with me, and nothing bad reported to credit.

[Anonymous]

Do the ccc report you as "on pymt plan, or suspended"?  Also, did the other ccc's increase your apr because of being late?  As always, thank you all for the help!