 TITLE: Why Is My Credit Card Being Declined? CONTENT: 4\\. You're Behind on Payments\n-----------------------------\nCredit card issuers can restrict your card use if you haven't made a payment recently. You may not realize that you've fallen behind until the card is declined, so the best thing to do is call the issuer and explain your situation. They can tell you exactly how much you need to pay to bring the account current and start using the card again.\nLate payments usually mean late fees, but your issuer may be willing to waive the fee to help you get on track. If you're going through a financial hardship, the issuer may offer you a modified payment plan that allows you to continue using the account while you catch up.\nOnce you're in a stable place, you may want to create a strategy for paying down your credit cards so your monthly payments are more manageable. There are a number of ways to pay off debt, including debt consolidation loans, transferring your balance to a lower-interest card or working with a credit counselor to negotiate more affordable terms. END