Bank of america credit card settlement phone number

[Visual of TITLE: Negotiating with creditors]

Sometimes a lost job, a medical emergency, or one big unexpected expense can suddenly make it hard to make ends meet.

[Visual of desktop with scattered bills, calculator, and cellphone reading “CREDITOR” shown]

If you’re in a situation where you cannot make payments on debts or bills you owe or your creditors are beginning to call, you need to take action now. And fortunately, there are solutions that can help you get on the right track.

In fact, you may be able to negotiate with your creditors—the companies or organizations you owe.

[Visual of person standing in front of huge buildings reading “AUTO LOAN” “CREDIT CARD ISSUER” and “MORTGAGE LENDER”]

It may seem intimidating, but remember that creditors may be open to work with you to find a solution that will work for both of you.

[Visual of woman with thought bubble reading “Let’s get the ball rolling…”]

Here are a few tips on how to negotiate with your creditors. This process may take multiple phone calls and some paperwork, but if you put it off, it could get worse before it gets better. Taking action now could save you money and stress in the long run.

[Visual of a SUPER: “PREPARE”]

[Visual of “ORIGINAL LOAN AGREEMENT” “PAYMENT HISTORY” and “LATE PAYMENT NOTICES” with green checkmarks checking each of these one by one]

The first step is to get organized. Before you contact or respond to your creditors, take some time to gather and go over all of the paperwork you have related to your current debts—things like your original loan agreement, payment history, and any late payment notices.

If you’re missing some of your documents, you can usually get copies from your creditor—either from your online account or directly from a representative.

[Visual of newly organized desk with yellow notepad reading “STAY FOCUSED AND BE PREPARED”]

Negotiating with creditors can be an overwhelming, time consuming and sometimes frustrating process. It’s going to take patience and persistence. Having all the information you need at hand can help you stay focused and be prepared for your conversation.

[Visual of zoomed in yellow notepad with “WHAT CAN I AFFORD?” and underneath a line drawn reads “NET INCOME” “EXPENSES” and “BILLS”]

Before you call your creditor, take some time to figure out just how much you can afford to pay each month. Look at all of your necessary expenses and bills and if there’s been a major change in your expenses, factor that into the equation as well. Look at your expenses alongside your net income—or take home pay—to determine what you can actually afford to pay. Once you have it figured out- write it down and hold on to it for later.

[Visual of smaller notepad reading “WHAT I CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD”]

[Visual of woman behind a very large scale. Left side shows a stack of cash. Right side shows items like pill bottle, clock, electric bill, and groceries.]

It’s important to be realistic about what you can actually afford to pay each month toward your debts. While you may want to agree to pay off a difficult debt as quickly as possible, doing so could get you in more trouble if your debt payments come at the expense of your necessities.

[Visual of woman on the phone, next to car, in front of home, and sitting at desk reviewing documents. To left, it reads “Renegotiate payment terms?” “Debt with a collection agency?” “Prioritize auto loan or mortgage” “Understand how your choices impact your credit history”]

Now, if you have multiple debts that you are unable to pay, you have more planning to do. Figuring out how you plan to tackle your debts can be complicated and will depend a lot on your individual situation. What’s important for you could be renegotiating the payment terms of the debt with the largest monthly payment so you can free up money for other expenses. Or it could be paying down a debt that’s gone to a collection agency. Making sure you can cover your payments on an auto loan or mortgage may be most important if it helps you avoid losing your car or home. Finally, understanding how your choices impact your credit history will also be a factor.

[Visual of a SUPER: “NEGOTIATE”]

[Visual of “Monthly statement”]

Once you have all your paperwork and have figured out what you can afford to pay, you’re ready to speak to your creditor.

On the phone, creditors may tell you that you must pay the full amount you owe, but know that this might not be the case. Explain that you cannot afford your regular payment and briefly describe the reasons you are unable to pay—simply being honest about your situation may work in your favor.

[Visual of woman on phone with messaging to the right reading “Can’t afford regular payment” “Describe reasons unable to pay” “Ask to change terms of repayment” “Ask to have fees forgiven” and “Get it in writing”]

Once you’ve explained your situation, ask the representative if it’s possible to change the terms of your repayment to the amount you can actually afford.

[Visual of representative on right speaking and same woman on left listening. A graph in the middle reads “Longer repayment period” and points to “Reduced monthly payment” and “Lower interest rate”]

They might be able to offer you a longer repayment period, which will reduce your monthly payment to an amount that is more manageable for you.

Or they may be able to offer you a lower interest rate.

[Visual of magnifying glass over credit report reading “Settled for less than full balance”]

And depending on the circumstances, your creditor might be willing to accept less than the total amount you owe. But make sure you fully understand the repercussions if they settle for a lower balance. It could show up on your credit report and it may impact your ability to apply for new lines of credit in the future.

[Visual of yellow notepad with dates, times and name written on it]

If you’ve accrued any late fees from missed payments, ask if they’ll be forgiven. Some creditors might forgive fees if it means you’ll agree to make your monthly payments.
Take notes during your conversation—including the date and time of the call and the name of who you spoke to. And be sure not to agree to a loan payment that is higher than you can afford to pay.

[Visual of “New terms of payment” on letter form and email screen]

[Visual of check with green arrow on screen next to “New terms of payment”]

When you come to an agreement, be sure to get it in writing. Ask the representative to send a letter that outlines the new terms of your payment. When it arrives, review the document closely to make sure that the agreement is correct and that no terms have been added or left out that you haven’t agreed to. If everything is correct, you can begin to make your new payments. If there’s an error, make sure to call your creditor back to discuss your agreement again and make sure you get a copy of the new agreement before proceeding with your payments.

[Visual of a SUPER: “ADDITIONAL HELP”]

It may be best to try to negotiate with your creditors on your own first, but if you are feeling overwhelmed, have many creditors to repay or are having difficulty making progress on your own, there are a few other options.

[Visual of woman and man at desk with messaging to the right reading “Non-profit credit counseling” and bulleted list of “Free information” “Financial review” and “Workshops”]

Non-profit credit counseling services can provide you with assistance. They offer free information, a full financial review that is unique to you, as well as workshops on how to manage your debts and what actions you can take to negotiate with creditors.

[Visual of “www.ftc.gov” and “www.nfcc.org” listed]

The Federal Trade Commission has tips on how to find qualified credit counselors and avoid scams and the National Foundation for Credit Counseling lists reputable non-profit credit counseling agencies on their website.

[Visual of www.consumerfinance.gov listed]

Additionally, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has many resources online that offer tips on how to respond to your creditors and information about your rights.

[Visual of bubbles popping up reading “Negotiating tips” “Sample letters to creditors” and “Advice for reporting creditor harassment”]

[Visual of warning sign with creditor ads popping up around it]

There are also some for-profit agencies and organizations that advertise that they can negotiate with your creditors for you to significantly reduce what you owe; or they say they can consolidate your debts so you have only one payment.

[Visual of “Be skeptical! with “High fees” and “Plans that could cost more” underneath]

But be skeptical: some of these organizations might not have your best interests in mind. They may charge high fees or lock you into repayment plans that could cost you more in the long run. It’s best to make sure you’re communicating with a non-profit or government run organization and that you ask about any fees or costs for their services up front before you begin working with them.

[Visual of a SUPER: “Check your credit report”]

After a few months have passed, check your credit report. As you get back on track with your payments, your creditors are required to report that your debt is being paid according to your agreement. It’s a good idea to check your credit report to ensure that your account has been updated as being repaid or settled.

[Visual of monthly calendars with cash in front of each month]

Getting behind on your payments can be overwhelming, but speaking with creditors as soon as possible to find a payment solution that works for you can help you get back on your way to a stronger financial future.

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The material provided on this video is for informational use only and is not intended for financial or investment advice. Bank of America and/or its affiliates assume no liability for any loss or damage resulting from one’s reliance on the material provided. Please also note that such material is not updated regularly and that some of the information may not therefore be current. Consult with your own financial professional when making decisions regarding your financial or investment management. © 2015 Bank of America Corporation.

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