I agree somewhat with the other answers and have been in the same situation. Credit card laws vary by state but they are 'unsecured loans' which mean you didn't have to put up anything to get the loan. Most credit card issued by an out of state bank can't do nothing but screw up your credit, which you need to do without. If you can't afford it, save up and pay cash and get a better deal. If your credit card is issued in the state you live in, they may can take you to court. Credit ratings are used against you from day one. If you pay off a loan or credit card early, that goes against you too. The banks set the ratings and don't get the extra interest if you pay early. It's one of the biggest scams in America. If you're bunghole deep in dept and scrape to keep making the minimum payments - you've got great credit....Change your phone number so they'll quit calling and "Give them the Bone" !!
2006-06-20 08:08:34
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answer #1
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answered by Gizmo 4
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I am not too sure, but I don't think the credit card company can take anything it wasn't used to pay with. EX: your mortage is probably from a bank, which means if you defaluted on payments the bank would take your home. Same concept as your credit cards. If you didn't use it to purchase your home, or cars, then I don't hink you have anything to worry about.
Also, inyour state do you ahev something like charity care for your medical bills? It can pay a certain amount if not all of the bill. Ask someone in the hospital billing office.
My sis was approved and the hospital paid her bill.
2006-06-20 15:01:12
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answer #2
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answered by princesscutesmile 5
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Been there, done that. When my son was born we had over $17,000 in medical bills and a credit card with a balance of $16,000! We got out and you can too!
First, take a deep breath in...now let it out slowly. In the US, the credit card co's. can NOT take your house or cars, because these were unsecured loans.
You need to start with a small emergency fund in a savings account (typically $500-1000 will do). This will give you some breathing room the next time something bad happens (and trust me, bad things WILL happen).
Now, list all of your creditors (don't include medical bills - we'll get to them later) and minimum payments, starting with the lowest balance. This is the order you'll be paying them off. If you can't afford the minimum's, you'll need to contact the companies to work out re-payment options.
Pay as much as you can to the lowest balance and the minimum on everything else. When it's paid off, take the money you were paying them and ADD it to what you're paying the next one, so that your debt reduction payment stays the same. Keep going until they're all paid off.
As for the medical bills: contact the billing office's and make payment arrangements. Offer them $10 a month and tell them it's all you can afford. If they say they need more, tell them you have several other medical bills and that's all you can do. As long as you continue making that payment, they can't sell off the debt or report it. Plus, there's no interest accruing, so you can take as long as you need to pay them off.
2006-06-20 15:46:06
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answer #3
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answered by homeschoolmom 5
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Contact you credit card companies. With most credit card companies there is some type of benefits such as they pay your credit card bill or something like that especially when you lost your job. Just call them all and see what they do for situations like that.....this will probably keep you from being so behind. Hope you get back on your feet.
2006-06-20 14:59:44
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answer #4
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answered by kitcat 6
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As others have answered, only assets that were used to secure a debt can be seized for failure to pay the debt. The bigger risk is the inability to secure credit (with reasonable terms) in the future.
You can usually make arrangements with creditors and commit to paying a certain amount to pay the back bills down. They usually would rather get paid than deal with write-offs or send things to collections. Contact the patient advocate or patient liaison at the medical facilities where you owe the bills.
2006-06-20 15:02:16
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answer #5
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answered by jd 6
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Credit card companies cannot take your home.
However, your credit score will be all messed up if you don't try to work something out with them.
I would suggest calling each company and trying to work something out with them, like making small minmum payments, etc, until you are at a point where you can pay more. Also, you can discuss reducing your interest rates with them as well, which would also reduce your payments.
There are also credit counseling agencies who can help you sort out things like this, but check them out first and make sure they are a legitimate company.
Sorry for your misfortune, hope you get back on your feet soon.
2006-06-20 15:03:22
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answer #6
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answered by bye bye 5
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They just give you threatening calls and put it on your credit report for seven years. Even after it falls off of your credit report, you may still get letters or calls. Now they are automated, so they never know you are ignoring them.
Take care of yourselves first. No matter how bad your credit is, there is always someone willing to give you a credit card. On the other hand, your existing credit card companies periodically look at your credit score and can cut you off...no word or notice.
2006-06-20 15:02:23
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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These accounts are easy to settle, especially medical. First off, no, a credit card company cannot take anything but your credit from you. If you start to come into more money my suggestion would be to try and call whatever collection agency bought your accounts from the credit card company and see if they are willing to settle. Dont forget that if you settle to make sure whatever agreement that you make with them, they put it in writing if they are not willing to do so rthen they arent settling!
2006-06-20 15:03:24
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answer #8
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answered by holykrikey 4
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If you do not pay these off, you'll spend years avoiding the phone and being too embarrassed to apply for any thing else. When you do apply, you'll be denied again and again.
You should contact each company and work out a payment plan. Many time these creditors just want what's owed to them and are willing to cut the interest off. If you are not comfortable doing this, contact a debt consolidition company and they will do this for you.
2006-06-20 14:59:34
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answer #9
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answered by KL 5
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They can't take your home, but they can put liens on your house so that you can't sell the house until the debt is paid. If you have your house paid off, get a home equity loan to pay off the debts. This way they are off your credit (at least not as open but as paid) and then pay it off. Even if you sell your house, you'll probably pay it entirely off and make some money from the house.
2006-06-20 14:59:05
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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