Agent 17 asked:
if I have a consolidation company handle my debt so I only have one payment how will that effect my score?
DALTON
if I have a consolidation company handle my debt so I only have one payment how will that effect my score?
DALTON
GEOFFREY
STAY AWAY from any “debt consolidation” program that involves debt settlement. Debt settlement is a risky tactic where you pay a monthly fee to a debt consolidator….this entire fee goes towards building a settlement account and to the consolidator’s fees to “settle” your accounts in the future. Your credit card companies will deliberately not be paid so that all the accounts will default/charge-off so that they can attempt settlements at around 50%. If you are current on your accounts, this process will ruin your credit rating for sure. Debt settlement is like a roll off the dice with your finances…You can never predict how your creditors will respond to the deliberate defaulting of your accounts…they might settle at 50%…or they might serve you a summons, take you to court…and if they win, you could be looking at wage garnishment.
KENDRICK
Debt consolidation has minimal effect on your credit.
There is a chance that using debt consolidation services might affect your credit. Some debt management programs, like credit counseling, show up on your credit report. Some solutions, like debt settlement, don’t show up on your credit report, but by definition cause late payments. Most debt consolidation services are there to help you get out of debt, not to sustain your credit report or credit score, so you should prioritize what you really want in seeking debt consolidation help.