How long does bad debt stay on your credit report?

Bad debt can remain on your credit history for 7 years since the date that you officially became past due. Any payments after your original delinquency revive the timeline for it to stay on your credit report.

Are there any circumstances when paying off a bad debt is not advisable?

Yes, when the debt is a) past the statute of limitations and b) about to come off your credit report because it has been past due for over seven years.

If my bad debt is not personal but from a business, should I consolidate it with a loan?

No. Given the fact that there are several options available to you whereby you can save more money and get out of debt faster without as much risk, consolidating your bad debt with a loan is not advisable, even if it is from commercial transactions.

What does it mean when a credit card company writes off a bad debt?

Credit card companies "write off" bad debt as an expense for tax purposes. They are able to deduct it as a business cost from their profits to save money on what they owe the federal and state government. A "write off" is also referred to as a "charge off".

What is the effect of old debt on your credit report?

Bad debt on your credit report affects your credit negatively. That being said, sometimes paying off a bad debt can negatively affect your credit more so than leaving it alone. That is, making the debt "more recent" can actually have a damaging effect.

Are debt consolidation loans available for non-homeowners with poor credit?

Yes, there are many personal loans for people who don't own their home and have bad credit. However, they are generally at high interest and can be difficult to pay off.

Debt Management

Another option that is available to people is credit card counseling. In a credit counseling program, you can reduce your interest charges and pay off your debt in 4 to 5 years. Unfortunately, enrollment in a credit & debt counseling program is reported to the credit bureaus, so you generally cannot start improving credit & obtain loans until your program is completed, however. Then again, your credit is already impaired, so saving money should be your top priority.

Negotiating Bad Credit Card Debts

Assuming you already have bad credit, debt settlement is most likely the best consolidation option. Debt settlement, also known as debt negotiation, involves working with credit card companies to lower the principal amount you owe. In all, you can reduce your debt by up to 60 percent, lower your payment substantially, and get out of debt in 12 to 30 months.

Personal Credit Consolidation

There are many ways to consolidate debt even with bad credit. That being said, every option may not be appropriate for your situation. Far too often, consumers turn to debt consolidation loans for a solution. Generally, this is not advisable for several reasons:

1. You will pay high interest. Since you are considered a greater credit risk, lenders will want you to pay higher interest charges to compensate for this fact.


2. You may be asked to secure the loan with your property. In light of the fact that your monthly payment will be higher due to the fact you'll be paying more in interest charges, this is an especially risky move.


3. The debt is not eliminated. It is simply transferred. If your credit is suffering from late payments, chances are you should turn to third party debt reduction instead.