Are you looking forward to getting your debts settled? But you seem not quite sure whether you should resort to some settlement company for getting your debts settled or not. And the reports of scams carried out by such companies have further added to the dilemma.

In that case, you need not worry. You may well carry on with your debt settlement plans without turning to a debt settlement company. In fact, settling the debts by yourself would cost you must less, since you will not have to pay a third party for getting the job done.


If that sounds convincing to you, then you may keep on reading. Following is a simple step by step method for dealing with debt settlement all by yourself:

  • Once you decide to convince your creditor for settlement, start saving any extra earning that you can spare for a debt settlement fund immediately. Your debt settlement negotiations have a much greater chance of success if you are capable of making a lump sum payment.
  • The amount you offer must be worth more to your creditor than the profit your creditor would get from claiming the debt as a tax loss and selling it to a collection agency.
  • Call up your creditor and explain that due to your weak financial state you will be unable to repay your total owed amount. Then propose a debt settlement. It is likely that the creditor’s representative, who is taking your call, will say that settlement is not possible.
  • Do not lose heart if you face something like that. It is true that representatives have no authority to negotiate debt settlements. Your aim is to get hold of someone who can negotiate with you. If the representative does not come to your help, continue to call back until you reach the right person.
  • Negotiate your settlement terms once you reach that right person. Inform the person that you would like to make a payment of a good amount. If your creditor demands a settlement amount which exceeds the sum offered by you, ask if you can make one fat payment in good faith and then go for installments to pay off the remaining balance.
  • Do not hesitate to get your credit record updated as “paid” rather than “settled” when you pay off the settled amount. With paid notations, it is easy to get loans in future. You may also ask for the removal of any late payment notations you have accrued. There are chances that the credit company may not agree to alter your credit reports.

But keep it in mind that such manipulations are done almost every day for settlement-savvy debtors. So, keep pushing till your job is done.

  • Abstain from any kind of verbal agreement. Always get your settlement agreement done on paper before making any payments.

This guarantees that the creditor intends to honor the settlement terms offered to you. Do take a note of even the tiniest term included in the agreement.

If the creditor fails to stand by the settlement terms, you may seek legal help with your copy of settlement.

So, isn’t that easy? You really need not run like insane from one debt settlement company to another for getting your debts settled. Use your logic, follow the above guidelines and you will land up settling your debts much economically!