October 1, 2024 · 11 mins read
What Happens If You Default on Your Credit Card? Know the Consequences
Santosh Kumar
A person is said to have defaulted on a credit card when he or she does not pay the minimum amount due and more for a particular period, sometimes over 90 days. However, these delinquencies will have very serious setbacks on a person's finances in the present and even in the future. The repercussions could result in aggressive interest rates and penalties, legal suits, and management that massively impede the individual's CIBIL ratings and ability to procure loans in the future.
In this blog, we will explore the different consequences of credit card defaults, the reason for the default, how to improve cibil score after default, the impacts it can have on the persons who default, and the means that can help the individuals either control or eradicate the default situation.
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When a credit cardholder neglects payment of dues for billing cycles for a certain period, normally 90 days, this is defined as credit card default. The account holder's account becomes delinquent after certain unpaid conditions have prevailed, though one late payment may not normally cause formal default. In the first place, you shall receive penalties such as a late fee, higher interest, a penalty APR, etc., but where there is a default payment on the account for three months or above, the account operator will determine the account to be down or in default.
So, how to improve cibil score after default? Your account's default indicates to the credit card creditor and credit information agencies that you lack the capacity or will to offset your debts. This sort of classification on your credit report may harm your credit score, which is crucial to the CIBIL credit score, as the assessment of past payments is one of the determinants of the score. You may lose around 100-150 points to your score; more financial loans, mortgages, and even lease agreements will be a distant dream.
Credit card defaults do not simply mean the erosion of one's credit standing at the current time; rather, this fact should be taken into consideration because credit card debt defaults usually remain on the credit report for 7 years.
Read More:: How to Improve CIBIL Score after Default
The consequences of defaulting on a credit card can be extensive, crossing several aspects of your finances. Here’s what happens when you default:
The nature of credit cards means that interest rates are extremely high, ranging anywhere from 18 to 45 per cent per annum depending on the card issued. If you violate the terms, a penalty will be charged, as this is usually done by most of the issuers who add this amount, which is the maximum amount charged by the law. It also means that the stupidity and dangerous habit of borrowing will be much quicker, which thus renders it more cumbersome to settle all payments.
You will incur late payment fees, charges, and the penalty APR if you do not make your credit card payments. Over time, these expenses can accumulate and prevent recovery. In general, late fees vary between anything between ₹500 and ₹1,000 depending on the issuer, though these may be imposed month after month until the minimum payment is caught up. Over-limit fees are sometimes added to your balance if you exceed a certain credit allowance.
There are several consequences of defaulting on your credit card, and among the most painful ones is the effect that defaulting has on your CIBIL score. Since payment history counts for 35% of one's CIBIL score, a failure to make payments and a default on a credit card can adversely affect the score. Depending on how severe the default is and how long-lasting it is, your score can go down by 100-150 points.
A low CIBIL score affects your repayment capacity to the credit issuers. It is difficult to obtain loans, credit cards, or even rent an apartment because lending institutions consider such people to be high-risk borrowers since they have a track record of missing repayments or defaulting. And if you get a loan or any other credit product, the chances are that the penalties will be too high, the conditions too tough, or a guarantor or additional security will be needed.
There is also the seven-year rule regarding how long a default stays on a credit report, making the consequences of default longstanding and curtailing your economic capabilities for several years. It is important to make the payments on time so that the default is avoided. If it cannot be avoided, one should make sure that means of contact are available with the credit card issuer and that plans are made about boosting or upholding the credit score.
When you fail to make the payments on your credit card, your account might be sold to a collection agency or a recovery agent appointed by the bank. You can also expect to hear from recovery agents who call or write to you in an attempt to collect the overdue amount. These calls can be many, and—worse—they can add up to emotional distress on top of the financial one.
In case of defaulting on credit card debt for multiple months (typically, this period is six months or more), then the credit card issuer may close the concerned account. This has an additional adverse effect on CIBIL scores and makes it impossible for the cardholder to make any more future use of the card. In severe instances, the issuer could sue to reclaim the debt owed. In India, this might include sending legal notice/formal litigation, which can be implied by executing the removal of some property or other legal actions.
CIBIL defaults on a credit card in such a way that it remains on the report for up to seven years, which is why the customer should be more careful. During this time, the creditors will notice the default when assessing your requests for loans, credit cards or even the renting of houses. While the default may be visible to the borrower for several years, lenders view it as a red flag, and other subsequent borrowings will not be forthcoming or will only be at high, expensive interest rates or stringent conditions.
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Credit card defaults can indeed happen for several reasons. With some details about the underlying factors, perhaps it would be easier for you to avoid such mistakes. Some of the most common reasons include:
Most people use credit cards without making budgets or financial forecasts. With so much expenditure over earning, it gets even harder to pay the minimum, and many deadlines are missed, which ultimately leads to default.
Life is filled with events that can be detrimental to your financial status, including job loss, medical emergencies, and a myriad of economic hardships. The internet is convenient enough that some people will use credit cards as a solution to such emergencies, even without the capacity to pay off that debt.
Increasing debt indefinitely by making only minimum payments on high-interest credit cards takes a considerable amount of time and does not bear good fruit. The scenario gets worse since the debts keep adding, and consequently, meeting the payments becomes a problem, which ends in default.
The inability to refrain from buying more than necessary is also a frequent reason for credit default. Thus, whether for delightful things, travelling, or expensive living, people walk out with huge amounts of debt that they can't handle and step into default.
Read More:: Increase Your CIBIL Score from 600 to 750
If you have missed your credit card payment and it is currently past due, do not panic. This is definitely a serious situation, but it is not irreparable. Wondering how to build credit score after default? You can take steps to improve such adversity and live without religion.
The initial course of action in fighting default is to reach out to the relevant credit card company. Most credit card companies will have assistance, or so-called hardship programs, for those who are behind in the payments. These programs may involve lowering the interest charged, making certain fees non-applicable or in chopped portions to pay all your dues in a stipulated time. Just explaining your current situation might calm them and help you develop a plan to pay your debts.
When a debt is presented to a debt collection agency, one can most likely bargain for less than fully expected satisfaction of the claim. In these circumstances, the creditor promises to accept a fraction of the debt and will require full payment. Even as this will negatively affect your CIBIL score, it will help protect you from any court action and settle the matter closely.
Once you’ve reached a settlement or a new repayment schedule, it is safe to say that there is a deadline by which a person should follow through with the repayment plan. This usually means refraining from spending more than is necessary, coming up with a set amount to live on that excludes all non-essential expenses, or taking out an unsecured or balance transfer low APR credit card to pay off credit card debts.
It is also important to note that if a person cannot control his or her level of indebtedness for some reason, that individual should consider getting some last-resort help. Such institutions can assist you with budgeting, devising a debt management scheme, and communicating with lenders on your behalf. These types of agencies provide services either for free or at a very low cost, enabling even low-income earners to pay off their debts.
Read More:: Is a 750 Credit Score Good?
So, what is the punishment for credit card defaulters in India? Once you default on your credit card, you face many challenges, such as high interest rates, penalties, legal actions and low CIBIL scores; however, understanding them and taking appropriate measures can help you negate the effects of the situation or avoid it entirely. Insisting on making the payments on time, being frugal or spending within your means, and presenting your reasons to the creditor is necessary for a good credit rating. Time and again, it has been stated that factors such as early intervention and proper use of funds can prevent credit card default.
Read More:: Credit Score Vs CIBIL Score
What is the period cut-off for the credit card default in my credit report?
A credit card default stays on your CIBIL report for up to seven years, and during these seven years, it can affect your credibility in obtaining credit.
If I don’t pay my credit card bills, will my credit card company sue me?
In extreme cases, credit card companies take legal action to recover money that is owed to them. This involves sending legal notices to customers or filing lawsuits.
Can I get rid of my defaulted credit card debt without paying the entire debt?
Yes, you can reach a payment agreement with the credit card company or collections agency and pay them less money than you owe them. This, too, might negatively affect your credit score, but at least it helps you solve the issue.
I opened a credit card recently but plan to get a loan next month. Will it be a problem?
A credit card default adversely affects your CIBIL score, which nosedives, making recovery of loans, credit cards, or even lease agreements a tall order.
I cannot make credit card payments and do not know how to rectify the situation.
Call your credit card issuer as soon as possible, explain your circumstances, and ask about any hardship programs, repayment plans, or other options available to you.
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