Internet's first get-out-of-debt community - 199,000 members

aykitajima · 01-06-2009, 02:15 PM

I heard that consolidating debt or seeking assistance from a third party would lower your credit score. Is this true?

mobile0311 · 01-06-2009, 02:23 PM

Not neccessarily. It depends on the type of program you do. Programs like debt settlement can have a major impact on your credit score , where as a debt management Plan will have no impact on your Fico Score but can impact you getting future credit. Which type of consolidation program were you considering ?

aykitajima · 01-06-2009, 03:10 PM

Thanks for the quick response. I was just looking around, not sure exactly what I should do. I have about 14K total debt accumulated from 3 credit cards. I've always been on time with monthly payments, always paying over the minimum amount, but it seems like most of my payments are only going towards the interest and just a little towards principal. I just figured that there's got to be a better, faster solution... but then I heard about how seeking such services would impact my credit rating, etc. Any suggestions on what I should do?

mobile0311 · 01-06-2009, 03:55 PM

Since you can afford to make your payments but just getting killed with high interest I do not suggest debt settlement. I would look into a dmp with a 501(c)3 non-profit credit counseling company. They can get you one payment around what you are paying now but at much lower apr's " usually around 6%-9% " .