Debt settlement in New Hampshire and various dos and don’ts

Debt settlement is the negotiation of a payment plan with creditors to settle unsecured debt accounts for less than the total amount owed. This is different from credit counseling and debt consolidation, which just lower the interest rate without lowering the overall loan balance. When compared to other options for debt relief, debt settlement in New Hampshire can offer a considerably quicker path back to financial independence by negotiating away up to 60% of the total outstanding debt.

Most creditors are ready to take a smaller payment to settle for a sum that is lower than the total amount owed rather than losing the entire debt if the debtor files for bankruptcy, which makes the settlement procedure effective.

The dos and don’ts of New Hampshire debt settlement are as follows:

Dos

Check whether you’ve paid the debt before

Creditors and collection firms continue to demand payment on debts that have already been paid, sometimes even on purpose. In most cases, a debtor pays the collection agency that is trying to collect the debt; however, the collection agency then sells the debt to another collection agency, which then demands payment. Sometimes a debtor has paid the debt in full, but the collection agency will continue to demand payment.

You should keep track of all your payments and receipts. Compare them to any new debts to show that you no longer owe the company any money if they made a mistake.

Try to gather as much knowledge as you can

You can learn the New Hampshire debt settlement procedure easily. Although the idea may be intimidating, gathering information will prepare you with the right words to use when engaging in any talks. Developing your consumer knowledge will give you strength, confidence, and the ability to settle your debt.

Go on the offensive and negotiate proactively

You should have the right attitude if you want to succeed. The outcome of negotiations directly depends on attitude, just like in any sport or other competitive environment. You should count on winning. You should take the initiative to start and steer conversations when your creditor demands that all of your collection accounts be addressed. Hold your ground and work out the time and amount needed to repay the debt.

You should let your creditor know that you want to repay them and are eager to work with them. Try to go on the offensive instead of being defensive. Keep in mind that information is power, and staying confident is key.

Maximize your savings

You'll need to create a strategy as soon as possible for building up money over time and saving it in your savings account. This could appear challenging because you might not have much money. However, you could have to liquidate some of your money, make as much money as you can over a couple of months, or alter your spending patterns.

Start negotiating with the debt collectors at the month's end

Since they are attempting to close their month's books at the month’s end, the collections department or agency will be more amenable to bargaining. The majority of representatives have monthly targets to reach or bonuses to earn.

Try to get the settlement agreement in writing

Getting the settlement agreement in writing is imperative; otherwise, you do not have any proof of it. Make sure you have a contract that the business that owns the debt must abide by. After that, you should make your payments.

Record debt collection calls

Recording the debt collection calls is an excellent approach to keep debt collectors in check. You are able to covertly record phone calls in 35 states plus the District of Columbia. You can record with the consent of the other party in the remaining 15 states. Additionally, it is considered giving authorization if you inform the debt collector that you intend to record and they continue talking. You can try to get the debt collectors to agree to a settlement if they continue to talk with you on record.

Keep a record of everything

Keep thorough records of all collection calls and correspondence. Record the date, time, collection agency name, caller's first and last name, and what was said in each call. Always use certified mail with delivery confirmation when sending letters. This serves as evidence that you sent the document. The letter must be signed after it is delivered to the creditor or collection agency, and the postal service will send you a green card confirming delivery.

You will have to spend a few dollars on this, but it will be well worth it. When sending payments, you should always send them by certified mail with a return receipt requested and use a money order or a check. It is crucial that you can always vouch for your payments. Keep everything in one place in your folder for easy access in the future.

Ensure that at least some accounts are in good standing

It's best to continue making payments on at least one or two credit cards to keep them in good standing for potential future use. The credit cards with the lowest current debt outstanding and the greatest limit are often the ones you want to pay off or stay in good standing.

Don’ts

You shouldn’t ignore your creditors

The majority of consumers don't know how to handle past-due debt or the complications that arise as a result. Unfortunately, doing so only increases tension, delays tasks, and eventually leads to denial. They typically end up disregarding the issue in the hopes that it will go away. The penalties of not paying your bills at all might be severe. At some point, the creditor or a collection agency may decide to sue you, drag you through court, obtain a judgment against you, and garnish your earnings.

Don’t tell your creditors or the collection agency your life story

Since collection agencies and creditors don't have much sympathy, you probably don't want to go into great detail about why you can't pay. They do this day in and day out, and every day, they are exposed to stories of those who are struggling. You should never give a debt collector your personal information like your checking account number, place of employment, or banking details. Try to speak as little as possible, maintain your composure, and keep the negotiation in mind regardless of what the debt collector says. You are more likely to succeed in the negotiation if you appear more composed and exhibit less emotional instability.

Take your time

The demand for urgent payment from a debt collector will be made repeatedly. You should wait until you obtain written confirmation of a payment agreement before you take any action. You need it in writing, so you must refuse all of the requests and offers to complete it immediately. If you reach a payment agreement over the phone, write it down and give it to the debt collector in a letter. You should consider sending this letter by certified mail so that you can get a receipt once it is delivered. Send it back after getting their signature. You should keep a copy for your records once they do.

How you can choose the best New Hampshire debt settlement company.

When choosing a debt settlement company in New Hampshire, you should keep four things in mind. They are as follows:

• Verify if the organization has the ability to pay off the type and amount of debt you have. Most businesses only forgive unsecured debts, like medical debts or credit card debts.
• You should hire the services of a company that charges the lowest fees.
• A competent debt relief organization will be upfront about the fact that debt settlement won't shield you from bill collectors, legal action, or drops in your credit score. You can find information about how a settlement will affect your credit score on the business' website.
• Before hiring a company's services, you should look up their reviews online. An excellent example in this regard is the complaint database of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Conclusion

Wondering how you can do debt settlement in New Hampshire successfully? Ensure your monthly payment date is not the same as any other significant monthly payment if your debt settlement process includes a payment plan. You should try to avoid the first of the month. Additionally, you should include an emergency fund, where you set away money every month in case something unforeseen occurs.

If you receive a lump sum, such as an income tax refund, you can always add more money to your savings, but be sure to replenish or expand your emergency fund first. Ensure you have enough income to cover each installment if you're paying in installments. A successful New Hampshire debt settlement puts you on the path to debt freedom. If you don't plan ahead now, you'll probably have another financial disaster later.