 TITLE: When Does a Late Payment Appear on My Credit Report? CONTENT: What to Do if You've Missed a Payment\n-------------------------------------\nThankfully there are immediate steps you can take to reduce the problems associated with a missed due date.\n*   **Pay your bill now.** Call your creditor or go online to pay your bill right away. Sending a payment by check will only cause an additional delay, and if it's not quickly received and processed, you could reach the dreaded 30-day-late mark.\n*   **Ask the creditor for a break.** Once the payment has been posted, call the creditor and ask to speak to someone who can help you with your account. If you have a compelling reason for paying late, explain what happened. Even if you don't have a good excuse, politely request that the late fee be waived. Many credit issuers will grant your wish on the spot, especially if you have been managing the account well. If the issuer has increased your interest rate, ask how you can get it back down. For example, they may lower it if you pay on time for the next six months.\n*   **Sign up for automatic bill pay.** A common reason people pay their bills late is because life gets in the way and they simply forget. You can avoid this issue by enrolling in your bank's autopay system, which will submit a payment for you on the day of the month you request. If your payment is due on the 15th, you can have the amount owed deducted from your checking account on the 11th, guaranteeing on-time payments as long as you have the money in your checking account to cover it. Of course you should still monitor your accounts, but it's a great way to streamline your financial affairs. END