 TITLE: What Happens If I Stop Paying My Credit Cards? CONTENT: What to Do if You've Missed a Payment\n-------------------------------------\nWhether you're about to miss a payment or already fell behind, one of the first things you should do is contact the credit card company. It may be able to set you up with a hardship plan with a more affordable monthly payment amount.\nOr, if you missed a payment and quickly brought the account current, you can ask the issuer to refund the fees and interest it charged. It's not obliged to agree, but if you've otherwise been a good customer, the company may be understanding.\nIf you're struggling with multiple credit cards, you may also want to contact a nonprofit credit counseling agency and ask about a debt management plan. The counselor may be able to negotiate with the card issuers to waive fees, lower your monthly payments and bring your accounts current. You'll then make one monthly payment to the counseling agency, which will pay the credit card companies. END