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United Settlement » FAQs
admin October 26, 2017

Frequently Asked Questions

At United Settlement, we are committed to helping our customers solve their debt problems and get back on the right track financially. Below please find many of the most frequently asked questions that our customers ask throughout the year.

What is a credit report?

If the bill in question comes from your doctor, and you know your doctor reasonably well, try working out a payment plan. Alternatively, if you have an emergency fund set aside, inquire as to whether the office would accept a reduced settlement lump sum payment in cash. You can also offer to pay a similar amount to what your doctor accepts from major medical insurance companies for similar treatment. If you’re dealing with a hospital bill, contact the billing office and have every charge fully explained to you. No detail on a hospital bill is too small – be fully thorough in your questioning, as this is the best way to guard against any potential billing errors and fraud. If you spot any expensive procedures listed on your hospital bill to which you don’t recall consenting, dispute them with the billing office.

What is considered a good or excellent credit score?

FICO scores, created by the Fair Isaac Corporation, range from 300-850 and are utilized by many lenders. FICO scores above 670 are considered good, with scores above 740 considered excellent.

The VantageScore, which was developed by the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion), also uses a range of 300-850, with scores above 700 considered good and scores above 750 considered excellent.

Can I request free copies of my credit reports?

There are two ways to request free copies of your credit report. Visit https://www.annualcreditreport.com to request a free credit report from each of the three national credit reporting bureaus – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. At the above website, you have the opportunity to receive a free copy from each bureau every twelve months. Accordingly, it can be a good idea to stagger your free reports throughout the year, rather than requesting all three reports at the same time. You can also request free copies of your credit report by calling 888-574-5454

It is a good idea to periodically view your credit report to ensure it remains an accurate reflection of your debt repayment history. If you do spot any inaccuracies, contact the appropriate credit bureau and initiate a dispute if necessary.

Will viewing my credit report lower my credit score?

When you order own credit report or check your FICO score online through a credit card company that provides this benefit, there will be no adverse impact on your credit score. However, there can be a mild negative impact to your score if you apply for more than one line of credit within a short period of time.

Should I close out credit cards or other available lines of credit that I don't really use?

No – your credit score would go down if you did this. Your credit score is in part determined by your credit utilization ratio – that is, the percentage of available credit that you have actually borrowed. The higher the credit utilization rate, the lower your credit score. Therefore, keeping unused available credit lines open will lower your credit utilization rate, and this is a good thing for your overall credit score and profile.

For how long do late payments or a bankruptcy filing remain on a credit report?

Late credit card payments will typically remain on your credit report for seven years. For this reason, it is always important to pay your credit card bills in a timely manner each month. For those considering bankruptcy, you should know that a bankruptcy filing will remain on your credit report for ten years.

How can I improve my credit score?

Above all, get into the habit of consistently paying your bills in a timely manner. If you’re having difficulty making payments, contact your creditors to work out a payment plan or consult with a reputable credit counseling service who can help structure a debt management plan or other viable solution appropriate to your specific financial situation.

If you’re not having difficulty making payments, then work to decrease your total debt load relative to your aggregate available credit lines. Lowering your debt utilization ratio will help raise your credit score. Additionally, you should periodically verify that your credit reports do not include any inaccuracies that may be harming your credit score.

What is Penalty APR?

on time. Penalty APR is typically applied for six months and often is significantly higher than the previous interest rate. Avoiding Penalty APR is yet another reason to consistently pay credit card bills in a timely manner.

How can I rebuild my credit if no one will give me a credit card?

You may want to consider applying for a secured VISA credit card, one in which you deposit money into a savings account and the card is then used for purchases up to the amount of your deposit. This is an excellent way to begin the process of rebuilding your credit.

A credit card account from fifteen years ago is displayed on my credit report. Are accounts supposed to stay on my credit report for this long?

If you look closely at your credit report, you’ll likely find that credit card account activity from more than ten years ago actually reflects a positive item – namely that you paid your bills on time. Negative items – such as missed payments and late fees – will remain for seven years, while bankruptcies and judgments remain for ten years. If you discover negative items on your credit report that extend beyond these time frames, contact the credit reporting agency that issued the report and dispute the error.

I am recently divorced. Should I take any steps to protect my credit profile?

If you and your former spouse opened any joint credit card accounts or other credit lines – including mortgages and auto loans – then you’ve got to stay on top of these situations. Contact each creditor to determine whether you can convert joint accounts into individual accounts, and make every effort possible to remove your former spouse as an authorized user from any credit card accounts that bear your name.

What is credit counseling?

Credit Counseling is a wise option for those who need help getting back on track financially. A skilled, certified credit counselor from a reputable agency will conduct an initial 30-45 minute telephone interview related to your income, expenses and debt levels, before making a determination as to what may be the best solution for your specific financial situation. Common solutions including enrolling in a debt management plan, taking out a debt consolidation loan or pursuing debt settlement.

What is a debt management plan?

A debt management plan (DMP) is a common solution for individuals who are carrying too much unsecured credit card debt and are having difficulty paying bills to a number of different creditors each month. A reputable credit counseling agency can structure a DMP for you in which you make one streamlined payment each month to the counseling agency, who in turn allocates funds to your various creditors. All accounts included in a DMP become inactive, and the closing of these accounts will temporarily negatively impact your credit score. However, a DMP will result in a lower blended monthly interest rate and monthly payment while giving you the opportunity to demonstrate a consistent payment history, rebuild your credit profile and get out of debt over a three- to five-year time period.

What is a debt consolidation loan?

A debt management plan (DMP) is a common solution for individuals who are carrying too much unsecured credit card debt and are having difficulty paying bills to a number of different creditors each month. A reputable credit counseling agency can structure a DMP for you in which you make one streamlined payment each month to the counseling agency, who in turn allocates funds to your various creditors. All accounts included in a DMP become inactive, and the closing of these accounts will temporarily negatively impact your credit score. However, a DMP will result in a lower blended monthly interest rate and monthly payment while giving you the opportunity to demonstrate a consistent payment history, rebuild your credit profile and get out of debt over a three- to five-year time period.

What is debt settlement?

Debt settlement can be a good idea when a debtor has already fallen behind on a number of different credit card accounts. Creditors recognize that delinquent accounts that are approaching charge-off status may eventually become worthless to them, and are often willing to accept less than the total balance owed as a result. A debt settlement firm may be able to successfully negotiate a lower balance payoff – and even get the creditor to mark the account as “paid in full” on a credit report, though creditors are under no legal obligation to accept settlement offers.
What is bankruptcy and how does it work?

The primary purpose of bankruptcy is to provide a fresh start to those who are unable to pay their debts. Under Chapter 7, debtors may be required to relinquish property that is then sold, the proceeds of which are used to pay creditors. Most remaining debt balances are then discharged. Those declaring bankruptcy under Chapter 13 can typically retain their property, but must commit to a court-ordered repayment plan lasting three to five years.

Will bankruptcy erase my debts?

Declaring Chapter 7 Bankruptcy will discharge most debts, with the exception of some student loans and recently incurred debts. Under Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, an individual is required to repay some debts over a three to five year time frame, after which time remaining balances are erased.

How much will bankruptcy hurt my credit report?

A bankruptcy filing stains a credit report for ten years, and declaring bankruptcy forces a credit score to drop significantly – as much as 200 points or more.

What is a home equity loan and what are the benefits?

Home equity loans and lines of credit can be utilized to pay off high interest rate unsecured credit card debt, with the underlying property utilized as collateral to secure the loan. Such a loan will often result in lower interest rates and lower monthly payments that are spread out over a longer period of time – often as long as 15-30 years.

Do you have any additional questions that we haven’t addressed here? Please add them in the comments below.

Business Debt Frequently Asked Questions

Will this process affect my company’s credit?

Have you checked your credit recently? Most likely since you are discussing debt negotiation or debt management your personal or business credit is already declining or shows some sort of delinquency. At this current moment, by using the United Settlement debt strategy we will be lifting your credit by diligently working towards reducing your past due debt.

Will I be able to do business with my creditors again?

In most cases, creditors won’t turn down an opportunity If there is cash available most likely your vendor or creditor will be interested in accepting it. Creditors and Vendors are also small businesses and do understand that at times business isn’t always perfect. As a business person repositioning your business and managing your payables indicates you are serious about who you are and the business you want to conduct. In time, a professional line of communication will be opened to you, as well a line of credit if you have kept to your side of the agreement.

My creditor keeps harassing me. What do I do?

Creditors and lenders do have the right to pursue collection activities once a debt goes into default. Collection activities include emails, calls, and at times litigation. Creditor calls can be frustrating, but the options available are limited; either you answer the phone call or you dont. In the event, you do answer the phone briefly, explain your hardship and disconnect the call. It is very important to understand that any information obtained by the debt collector may be used against you.

Should I just file for bankruptcy?

The United Settlement program provides a key benefit, which is a primary focus is to prevent Chapter 11 – the elimination of harassing creditor calls and reorganization of capital without the cost of bankruptcy.

How much will debt settlement cost me?

There is a small administrative fee and a service fee which are already implemented within the program payments. United Settlement works on a paid-on performance basis. Our fees are based on a percentage of the total debt enrolled. The total cost will be less than what you currently owe. Our clients have saved an average of 25% of the debt enrolled, including fees. The benefit is mutual – We are working to save you as much money as possible being that we are a paid-on performance company. Knowing this, you can be certain that United Settlement will work to get you the best possible settlement that works around your budget.

My creditor stated he doesn’t work with your company is threatening me with a law suit?

We have shown favorable outcomes for our clients – being that we are successful in obtaining a debt reduction when negotiating with creditors. Nonetheless, in some cases creditors or the assigned agents to the debt will be against negotiating a reduction. In these situations, United Settlement will negotiate a payout plan within our client’s budget.

Why can’t I negotiate with my creditors on my own?

Dealing directly with your creditors on past due debt tends to be very emotional. United Settlements business debt reduction program removes the sentiment and is the most effective way to get you out of debt with creditors quicker and more efficiently than if you tried on your own. United Settlement provides an outline to creditors, creating a better understanding of your financial situation making the settlement process a logical solution for all parties involved.

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March 01

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Had been searching for a while for a company I could trust to get me out of crippling debt. Really didn’t think it was possible. Spoke to Ben at United Debt and he assured me that not only was it possible, but it would be fairly...

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March 01

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Had been searching for a while for a company I could trust to get me out of crippling debt. Really didn’t think it was possible. Spoke to Ben at United Debt and he assured me that not only was it possible, but it would be fairly...

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February 28

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I've been working with Ben at United Debt to help me organize and get out of debt for once - I've been dealing with debt for ages and Ben showed me some simple ways to begin dealing with things to keep me from bankruptcy or worse....

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February 14

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December 21

Great!

Renika went above and beyond today to help me. She is wonderful to work with! Thank you again Renika for all of your help today! Happy Holidays to you!

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December 20

Paying back

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December 14

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November 23

Do your home eork

Paid several thousand dollars and nothing done. Ended up settling 90%by myself. This is a preatory company. So do your homework. This will never post.

Robert Phillips
November 18

Customer service is truly helpful

Renika was so helpful. My account was paid off but I kept receiving notifications. She cleared up the situation.

Dm
November 16

Great Customer Service

Renika did a wonderful job handling my questions and transactions. She is very patient on the phone and took care of my needs accordingly.

Jose Rosa
November 03

Very helpful

Renika did a great job in answering all of my questions in a timely manner. She was polite and friendly. Keep her on the payroll.

Russ
October 31

What's Important to me is United Settlement Costumer service !

United Settlement Costumer service is Amazing Everyone is Professional . I am so happy choosing them with my card Debt. thank you all for helping me out .

Anthony Desoto
August 23

That this company has integrity!

A responsive company that keeps it clients up to date and fully informed. I like the fact that I can send them a text and be guaranteed an answer within 24 hrs.

Ri cky
June 04

Professional and focused on facts and truth not hype. Excellent. We want to know facts.

Great work very professional and great updates. Communication is excellent.

Jerry Bolandis
October 25

trust them

Excellent. Also each time i call there they treat me with respect even though they are probably thinking jerk . You sure have made mess of your life. but they have been taught to smile smile smile. this agency is just awesome....

janice head
August 01

Thanks for all your help and negotiations.

Thanks for the update! I have faith in you guys and will continue my payments. Thanks for all your help and negotiations.

Scott W O'Neill
July 30

That A Settlement Was Entered.

I Absolutely Love You All At United Settlements. You All Have Saved My Credit Solutions. I Would Refer Everyone To You Services.

Cassandra Robinson
July 16

The results of the settlement attempts.

So far, I have found United Settlement more than satisfactory. Very conscientious and very efficient in providing a service in debt settlement. Thank you and all the members of your team who are assisting in bringing me new life. ...

Mildred Yvonne Sherron
July 16

Tough Financial Hard Times During Covid-19

I signed up with United Debt Settlement because of large credit card debts, which had taken a financial toll on my credit. UDS has an outstanding reputation assisting clients like me achieve financial recovery and success. During...

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    Clients who stay according to debt relief program can realize approximate savings of 50% before fees, or 25% including fees, over 24 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for reasons such as: their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period. We do not assume consumer and/or business debt, provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting, legal or credit repair services/ advice. Our program is not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. If you have any additional questions please contact us. NMLS ID: 1947026
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