Charged off debt is the step taken by your creditors when you are not able to settle off or continue on with your regular bill payments. But this is not as bad as creditors make it out to be. Although it should be avoided to keep a healthy credit score rating,it is not the end of the world.
What exactly happens when your account is charged off and why is this even used by your creditors and bill collectors? As dictated by accounting standards,companies write off your account to zero value in their books and mark it as bad debt. This usually happens from three to six months after non-payment on your obligations. They take this course to reflect the account as an amount that can no longer be collected – but it does not mean that they will totally put down efforts to collect the debt.
There are a couple of things to remember when faced with the predicament of having your account charged off. The first one is to keep a cool head and not let the situation dictate unnecessary actions on your end that could complicate the situation further. Communicate with your creditor right away to discuss the minimum monthly payments you need to see through to keep your account current. As much as possible,never give your checking account details and stick with the monthly payments. Although most agreements start off with verbal engagements,always follow through with a black and white version of what was discussed. Make sure the agreement is binding by having it signed by all concerned parties and notarized to express intent to participate.
These pointers can keep you from having your account charged off. Being able to keep your account current contributes to a good credit standing on your part. This opens a lot of better financial options for you in the future.
In the event your account has been charged off,you have to remember that it is not too bad and you can still make good out of this financial situation. Deal directly with your original creditor and consult on a payment plan. If possible,try to negotiate a fifty percent or less down payment on the total amount due. This is a show of good faith that you intend to pay off your debt and also helps you lower down your monthly payments. Paying off an amount that could go to your principal saves you interest payments down the line. As you are talking to your creditor,work out a way to get the charge off lifted from your credit score. This is a long shot but it is worth the try. If your current creditor does not want to negotiate further,you can wait for your account to be assigned to another agency and try to negotiate your terms again with them.
It is true that having your account charged off should be avoided by keeping your payments current,it is not the end of everything when it happens to your account.
To help you understand this scenario better,here are common questions that are asked about debts that are “charged off”:
How long will it take for my account to be charged off?
An account that has not been paid for 180 days will be charged off.
What is the effect of this on my credit score?
A charged off account will lower a credit score significantly. This will make it harder for the consumer to get financial aid in the future.
How does a collector come into the picture?
When your debt is charged off,creditors usually forward it to a separate collection agency. They are commonly third party collectors who will take over the collection activities in behalf of the creditor. You will have to deal with them for then on.