CandleFocus Glossary Editor
Default is a term that is often used to refer to a situation when a person fails to meet payment obligations on a loan or debt. It occurs when a borrower fails to make the minimum required payments on a debt or other loan the borrower has taken out, such as a credit card balance, loan, or mortgage. It is an event where one owes either money or must return property after knowing or having reasonable cause to know that payment is due to the lender.
When a borrower defaults on a loan or debt, it is considered a "bad" credit event and can have a significant negative impact on their credit score. The lender may take legal action to recover the debt and may also choose to assign the account to a collection agency. Defaulting on a loan or debt can have long-term consequences, such as a decreased ability to obtain future loans and increased interest rates for future loans.
Defaulting on a loan or debt will also likely result in a negative effect on one's finances. Depending on the type of loan or debt, the borrower may face late fees and other penalties. Depending on the nature of the default and the type of loan, lenders may also pursue other legal actions such as foreclosure, repossession, and wage garnishment, which may severely limit the borrower's ability to make payments and affect their financial future.
In addition to the negative financial effects, defaulting on a loan or debt can also be damaging to a person's reputation. That's because lenders can report the incident to credit bureaus, which can remain on their credit report for years. This can in turn lead to other lenders viewing them as a high-risk borrower and denying applications for future loans.
To avoid defaulting on a loan or debt, borrowers should strive to keep payments current and work with lenders to establish reasonable payment plans if needed. By doing so, borrowers can manage their debt in a more responsible and financially sustainable way.
When a borrower defaults on a loan or debt, it is considered a "bad" credit event and can have a significant negative impact on their credit score. The lender may take legal action to recover the debt and may also choose to assign the account to a collection agency. Defaulting on a loan or debt can have long-term consequences, such as a decreased ability to obtain future loans and increased interest rates for future loans.
Defaulting on a loan or debt will also likely result in a negative effect on one's finances. Depending on the type of loan or debt, the borrower may face late fees and other penalties. Depending on the nature of the default and the type of loan, lenders may also pursue other legal actions such as foreclosure, repossession, and wage garnishment, which may severely limit the borrower's ability to make payments and affect their financial future.
In addition to the negative financial effects, defaulting on a loan or debt can also be damaging to a person's reputation. That's because lenders can report the incident to credit bureaus, which can remain on their credit report for years. This can in turn lead to other lenders viewing them as a high-risk borrower and denying applications for future loans.
To avoid defaulting on a loan or debt, borrowers should strive to keep payments current and work with lenders to establish reasonable payment plans if needed. By doing so, borrowers can manage their debt in a more responsible and financially sustainable way.