Behind on credit card payments? Here's what to do at 30, 60 and 90 days

We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.
Taking these steps can help you mitigate the damage caused by being late on your credit card payments.
Getty Images
Credit card debt has been ballooning in recent years, and when you look at today's rate and economic environment, there's really no question as to why. With the average credit card interest rate hovering above 21% and inflation quietly stretching budgets even further, things have gotten pretty tough in terms of finances for a lot of Americans. As a result, more people are struggling to fit both their debt payments and their essentials into their budgets, resulting in an uptick in delinquent credit card payments.
But missing even one payment can trigger late fees and a rising balance, making your card debt a lot more expensive — and that's just the beginning. Once you're 30, 60 or even 90 days late, the stakes are much higher. Your credit score can take a hit, your debt could be sold to a collection agency and you might even be facing legal action at some point down the line. But despite the possible consequences, you still have options, and the earlier you act, the easier it is to fix the situation.
And, knowing what to do at each stage of delinquency can make all the difference, whether your payment slipped through the cracks or you're struggling to keep up due to a job loss, illness or another financial setback.
Take steps to get rid of your high-rate credit card debt now.
Behind on credit card payments? Here's what to do
If you've fallen behind on your credit card debt, here's how you can start to fix the issue before the damage spirals out of control.
If you're 30 days late: Act fast to minimize the impact
At 30 days past due, your credit card issuer will likely charge a late fee — usually around $30 to $40 — and increase your balance with accrued interest. That, in turn, can add to the already high costs of your credit card debt.
But here's the upside: Most issuers won't report the late payment to the credit bureaus until you're more than 30 days past the due date. That means if you act quickly, you might still protect your credit score. Here's what to do:
Make the minimum payment as soon as possible. Sending in at least the minimum
Sending in Call your credit card company. If you're facing a temporary hardship, simply forgot to make your payment or experienced another type of issue, it may help to call your card issuer, explain your situation and ask if they'll waive the late fee. Many will, especially if it's your first offense or you've had a good payment history.
If you're facing a temporary hardship, simply forgot to make your payment or experienced another type of issue, it may help to call your card issuer, explain your situation and ask if they'll waive the late fee. Many will, especially if it's your first offense or you've had a good payment history. Set up reminders or autopay. Sometimes being late isn't about being unable to pay; it was simply just a mistake. If that's what you're facing, use this opportunity to lock in systems that keep you on track going forward.
Discuss your credit card debt relief options with an expert today.
If you're 60 days late: Credit score damage starts here
If you're 60 days late on your credit card payment, the delinquency will almost certainly be reported to the credit bureaus and your credit score could drop sharply, especially if you had a solid score before. You'll also likely face a penalty credit card APR, which can be 29.99% or higher, applied to your balance going forward.
At this point, you should:
Reach out to your creditor again. Ask if they offer a credit card hardship program
Ask if they offer Consider a balance transfer or personal loan. Consolidating your debt a balance transfer credit card
Start aggressively tracking your budget. Cut out nonessentials from your budget and reroute every dollar you can toward the payment. When you're 60 days late on your credit card payment, every delay gets more expensive.
If you're 90 days late: The collections clock starts ticking
Once you're 90 days late on your card payment, the situation becomes critical. At this point, most credit card issuers will typically escalate your account to a collections department or sell it to a third-party debt collector. Your credit score could fall even further, and depending on the creditor's policies, they may start moving toward legal action.
That doesn't mean you're out of options, though. Here's what to do at this point:
The bottom line
Falling behind on credit card payments is a more common issue than many people realize, especially in this current financial environment. But if you're delinquent on your card payments, the longer you wait to act, the more damage you'll face to your credit, peace of mind and financial future. So, whether you're 30 days behind or are heading rapidly toward collections, don't ignore the problem. Start with a call to your creditor, explore your relief options and take small steps toward a sustainable solution.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Yahoo

21 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Comtech Rejoins iCERT, Deepening Commitment to Public Safety Innovation

Renewed Membership Reinforces Public Safety Commitment and Expands Advocacy Platform CHANDLER, Ariz., June 20, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 20, 2025-- Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) ("Comtech" or the "Company"), a global communications technology leader, today announced that its Terrestrial & Wireless Networks ("T&W") business segment has rejoined the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies, Inc. ("iCERT"). Founded in 2005, iCERT is a commercial sector trade association that brings together leading technology companies to drive innovation, shape effective policy, and promote open standards that improve public safety and emergency response. This return to iCERT is part of a series of strategic moves by the T&W business segment, including the launch of Allerium Mira - a cloud-native call handling platform designed to simplify complexity and support evolving 9-1-1 needs. Together, these efforts reflect a renewed commitment to public safety and essential service providers, backed by the same trusted team, proven solutions, and industry-wide support. "We're excited to collaborate with iCERT as it expands its focus on key issues and innovations in emergency communications," said Susan Ornstein, Senior Director of Legal & Regulatory Affairs of Comtech T&W, who joined the association's board of directors earlier this month. "Under its new leadership, iCERT is amplifying the voice of its members on public policy issues and engaging partner associations like NASNA, NENA, and APCO to advance shared priorities across the public safety community. Together with iCERT, Comtech is well positioned to address pressing public safety and regulatory matters, and advocate for federal funding, legislation, and FCC policy updates." "Few organizations have meant as much to me throughout my career as iCERT," said Jeff Robertson, President of Comtech T&W. "Twenty years ago, I worked alongside two industry visionaries to establish this organization with the shared goal of fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors. I was privileged to serve as iCERT's inaugural executive director and have remained a strong advocate of its mission throughout my career. Seeing our company rejoin the iCERT community is especially meaningful. Comtech is committed to delivering results that help communities become safer, more connected, and resilient, and iCERT is a vital partner in advancing that work." "iCERT stands committed to propelling public safety forward, facilitating collaboration among its member base and industry stakeholders, and creating an environment that fosters innovation and progress," said Don Brittingham, Interim Executive Director of iCERT. "Members like Comtech play a vital role in strengthening the organization's depth and breadth of experience across the full public safety call flow. I am excited to welcome Jeff Robertson and his team back to iCERT and look forward to empowering public safety together." About Comtech Comtech Telecommunications Corp. is a leading provider of satellite and space communications technologies; terrestrial and wireless network solutions; Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) and emergency services; and cloud native capabilities to commercial and government customers around the world. Through its culture of innovation and employee empowerment, Comtech leverages its global presence and decades of technology leadership and experience to create some of the world's most innovative solutions for mission-critical communications. For more information, please visit About iCERT iCERT—The Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies—is the only industry trade association focused exclusively on emergency response technologies and related equipment, systems, and services. iCERT is dedicated to improving public safety through innovation. For more information, please visit Forward-Looking Statements Certain information in this press release contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and involve certain significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from such forward-looking information. The Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings identify many such risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking information in this press release is qualified in its entirety by the risks and uncertainties described in such Securities and Exchange Commission filings. View source version on Contacts Investor Relations Maria Ceriello631-962-7102investors@ Media Contact Jamie

Bloomberg

28 minutes ago

• Bloomberg

Rebecca Shi on ICE Raids Scaring Essential US Workers

Rebecca Shi, American Business Immigration Coalition Executive Director, discusses the impact ICE raids are having on the US labor force and shares her thoughts on whether or not the deportations themselves or the fear the deportations are instilling on workers are putting more stress on the job market. She speaks with Joe Mathieu and Tyler Kendall on the late edition of Bloomberg's "Balance of Power." (Source: Bloomberg)

Yahoo

28 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Trade Idea Moves Twins' Byron Buxton to Phillies

Trade Idea Moves Twins' Byron Buxton to Phillies originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Boston Red Sox may have started a new trend in their trade of Rafael Devers: using the trade market to offload a superstar previously signed to lengthy, big-money deals. Advertisement In 2023, Devers signed a 10-year, $313.5 million extension to his already-existing contract, which was set to expire at the end of the season. The financial commitments the Red Sox had to the slugger did not deter them from moving him just one and a half years into the deal, as they traded him to the San Francisco Giants. Such a transaction has only happened one other time in MLB history – when the Miami Marlins traded Giancarlo Stanton to the New York Yankees three years into a 13-year, $325 million deal in 2018. That beckons a double-barreled question: When will this kind of deal happen again, and who will it involve? According to Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer, the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies should field calls to each other about All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton, a player who also won a Gold Glove Award in 2017. Buxton is currently in year four of a seven-year, $100 million deal with the Twins. Jul 31, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) celebrates his solo home run against the New York Mets with teammates in the dugout during the second inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports © Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports "Buxton's long-term future... remains suspect. He is keeping up his act as a two-way star when he does play, but he's a 31-year-old with one of the most cluttered injury histories in recent memory. And as such, the Twins should be wondering if this is their last best chance to sell high on him," Rymer wrote. Advertisement "Because he has full no-trade protection, he'll only go anywhere if he wants to. But if the Twins present him with a chance to spend the rest of his prime with a proper World Series contender, it could be hard for him to turn it down." Rymer sees the Phillies as an ideal trade destination for Buxton because he would fulfill a need the team has been missing for years. "Not since the early days of Odúbel Herrera's career have the Phillies had a reliable regular in center field, much less a star. They have managed to succeed despite this, but that should raise questions about how far they could go if they actually went out and got a star to roam the middle of their outfield," Rymer wrote. "A trade for Buxton would fit the bill, and such a deal would be right up Dave Dombrowski's alley." Advertisement Through 57 games this season, Buxton is hitting .280 with 15 home runs, 45 RBIs, 12 stolen bases, a .898 OPS, and 2.6 WAR (according to Baseball Reference). Related: Phillies' Cristopher Sánchez Reflects on Best Start of 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.