Last reviewed: 3 October 2026
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What happens if you stop paying a credit card, from the first missed payment to a lawsuit
The FTC says that if you miss minimum payments for several months, your credit score may take a hit. It says that after 4 to 6 months of missed minimum payments the creditor may "charge off" the debt as a loss, and that you still owe it afterward.[1] A collector may contact you about the debt.[4] If you are sued, the CFPB says to respond by the date in the court papers.[5] This page lines up what the FTC and CFPB say in that order. They do not give a day-by-day schedule, and neither do we.
The short version
- The CFPB says to contact your credit card company right away if you cannot pay. It says many card companies are willing to work with you in a financial emergency.[2]
- Once you are late or miss a payment, the CFPB says you are considered delinquent.[3]
- A charge-off is the creditor writing the debt off as a loss. The FTC says you still owe it, and the creditor could sell it to a debt collector.[1]
- If you are sued, the CFPB says to respond by the date in the court papers.[5]
The stages, in order
Each row is what a source says, not a prediction for your account. Your card agreement and statements set the details.
| Stage | What the sources say | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| 1. You think you may miss a payment | The CFPB says it is important to act right away and to contact your credit card company immediately.[2] | Debt relief: where to start |
| 2. You are late or miss a payment | The CFPB blog says you are considered delinquent. It says the card company may block your ability to use the card and report the delinquency to the credit reporting companies.[3] | How long negative items stay on your report |
| 3. Several months without a minimum payment | The FTC says your credit score may take a hit if you do not make at least the minimum monthly payment for several months.[1] | No separate guide |
| 4. About 4 to 6 months of missed minimum payments | The FTC says the creditor may "charge off" the debt as a loss, which could hurt your credit score even further. It says you still owe the debt.[1] | Charge-off vs. collection account |
| 5. The debt is sold or sent to a collector | The FTC says the creditor could sell your debt to a debt collector who might try to get you to pay. It also says creditors may be willing to negotiate even after they write a debt off.[1] | Original creditor, debt buyer or collection agency |
| 6. A collector contacts you | The CFPB says a collector is required to provide the name of the creditor, the amount owed and how to dispute the debt.[4] | Debt validation letters and your FDCPA rights |
| 7. You are sued | The CFPB says to respond by the date specified in the court papers. If you do not, it says the court could issue a default judgment.[5] | Sued for a debt: what happens |
What each stage can bring, in the sources' words
Before and after a missed payment
The CFPB suggests steps if you cannot pay. They include adding up your income and expenses and calling the card company. It says to explain why you cannot pay the minimum, how much you can afford, when you could restart normal payments, and what new payment amount you are requesting and for how long.[2] The CFPB also says your interest rate on existing balances generally cannot increase unless you are late on your payments.[6] Our guide to asking a card issuer for a hardship plan covers that call.
How long a late payment can stay on your report
The CFPB blog says a delinquency can generally stay on your credit report for up to seven years.[3] The FTC says the seven-year reporting period starts from the date the event took place.[1] Neither source here says which date counts for a charge-off; our charge-off guide covers that.
The time limit to sue
The FTC says debt collectors have a limited time to sue you, called the statute of limitations, and that it usually starts when you miss a payment.[1] It says the length depends on the kind of debt and on state law. It adds that in some states, making a payment or acknowledging the debt in writing can restart the clock.[1] The CFPB says a collector cannot sue or threaten to sue once that period has expired.[5] See statute of limitations vs. the FCRA reporting period.
If a lawsuit ends in a judgment
The CFPB says that if you do not respond, the court could enter a judgment against you. Depending on your situation and your state's laws, it says the creditor may be able to garnish your wages, place a lien against your property or move to freeze funds in your bank account.[5] See can a creditor freeze or levy your bank account?
A warning that connects to this timeline
The CFPB lists warning signs of a debt settlement company. They include telling you to stop making your minimum payments or to stop communicating with your credit card company.[2] The FTC says debt settlement programs often encourage you to stop sending payments to your creditors, and that late fees and penalties may then grow.[1] See debt relief options compared.
How to verify this yourself
- Read the FTC's "How To Get Out of Debt," in the section on getting behind on credit card debt.[1]
- Read the CFPB's page on what to do if you cannot pay your credit card bills.[2]
- Check your own card agreement and recent statements for the late-payment terms that apply to your account.
What this page does not cover
It does not give day counts for late fees, penalty rates, account closure or when an account goes to collections. The sources we read do not state them, and they depend on your card agreement and the issuer's policies. It does not say whether you should keep paying. The CFPB blog post is from 2019 and is archived. It is general information, not legal or financial advice.
Your next step
Pull out your latest statement and card agreement. Note the date of your last payment and the balance. If you are still current, the CFPB's advice is to contact your card company before you miss a payment. If a collector or court papers have already arrived, start with debt collection: where to start or free legal help for debt problems. Our Standard shows how we check companies that sell debt help.
When we will update this page
We revisit it when the FTC or CFPB revises these pages. Sources last read 3 October 2026.
What you can do next
- Find a company — see which specific US companies we checked and what we could verify.
- How we check — the rules and sources behind each result.
- More credit help guides
- Report an error on this page or in a result.