Building Blocks

Missing a credit card payment isn’t the end of the world. Sometimes, there are more pressing issues in your life, and credit card payments slip your mind. Life happens.

Time Frame of Missed Payments

If you’ve missed one payment by a few days, you can often get your credit card provider to waive any fees by citing your history as a good customer and contacting them directly. But if you’ve missed multiple payments for long periods of time — think a month or two — your credit will take a hit. Here are some ways to rebuild your credit score, should that ever happen.

Be Patient With the Process

The first thing to know about rebuilding your credit is that the process could take months or even years. The time it will take to repair your credit depends on the severity of the late payments.

Contact Your Card Provider

Being proactive is key.

• Start by contacting your credit card provider.
• Explain your financial situation to them.
• Ask about any available financial assistance plans that you could use.

Chances are they’ll be willing to work with you. You never know if you don’t ask.

Tighten Up Your Budget

Missing credit card payments consistently may be a symptom of a larger financial problem.

• Review your budget
• Make cuts where you can.
• Use those extra funds to make your late payments.
• Commit to staying on top of future payments.

Stay Current

This might sound obvious, but a key to rebuilding your credit after missing payments is to not miss any future payments.

• Be diligent about never being late again.
• Consider setting up an automatic minimum payment if you are able.
• If reminders help, set them up to remind you of your payment date.

Keep Utilization in Mind

Another big factor in your credit score is your utilization. This is the percentage of your available credit that you’re using out of the total credit available.

• Keep the percentage as low as possible (aim not to exceed 30%), and slowly (but surely,) your credit score will begin to improve.

Monitor Your Report

While you’re busy making timely payments, remember to monitor your credit report.

• Get a free copy of your credit report.
• Make sure there are no errors.
• Report any errors you see to the credit bureaus.

You don’t want incorrect info to keep your credit score down.