What percentage will credit card companies settle for? Credit card companies typically agree to settle for 20% to 100% of the outstanding balance. However, it's important to remember that settling a debt may negatively impact your credit score.
But debt settlement isn't usually a good idea, because it can seriously damage your credit score, and there's no guarantee of success.
This is a type of offer where you ask the creditor to accept part of the amount you owe and write off the rest. You can find information about how to use this letter in our guide Full and final settlement offers. You can choose to send a letter in your own name or in joint names.
Most debt settlement letters include: The date, name, and address of the credit card company. A notation after the address that this is regarding a hardship letter. The credit card number and amount of the debt. A short statement of your financial situation, why you're in that situation, and why full payment is a hardship.
Treat the following as a set of general guidelines: Gather complete information before you start writing. Describe your injuries and medical treatment. List your medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic damages. Make a settlement demand. Include a deadline for legal action if you want to, but don't bluff.
Typically, credit card debt forgiveness programs result in settlements that reduce your outstanding balance by 30% to 50%. This means that if you have $10,000 in credit card debt, you could end up paying back anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000, on average.
You'll want to include specific information concerning your account in your debt settlement letter. List your name, account information, the original creditor of the debt, and the debt collection agencies identifying information. Include the current amount you owe and the amount you'd like to offer to settle the debt.
Tip for Drafting an Effective Settlement Letter Be concise. Your letter might be 20-30 pages long if your claim is complex. Be organized. Reread your letter to make sure you haven't said anything that the opposing party can twist around to use against you. Be polite and professional.
For example, if a creditor accepts $6,000 as payment in full for a debt that is valued at $10,000, than the savings achieved as a result of the settlement is $4,000 (i.e. $10,000 - $6,000 = $4,000).
Your settlement letter should begin with a heading that clearly identifies it as a settlement proposal. Be sure to include your contact information, such as your name, address and phone number so that the recipient can get in touch with you if necessary.