Impact of Late Payment on CIBIL Score
A credit score is a numerical indicator of an analysis of a person's ability to pay back loans based on his credit history. Lenders like banks and financial institutions use this score to assess a borrower's creditworthiness. But one of the key things to a good credit score is timeliness of repayment by an individual. Unless you are regular with your payments, it is highly likely that your credit score will go bad and you will be denied fresh loans.
Credit Rating and Information Bureau of India Ltd (CIBIL) is the body floated by RBI and other financial institutions that monitors credit transactions of individuals and commercial entities and maintains a database of credit reports and score.
The lenders can easily assess the risk profile of the borrowers with tools like credit score and credit information report (CIR) and do so affordably and efficiently. This gives them an assurance of responsibility and safety of their credit thanks to CIBIL. It may be noted that CIBIL by itself cannot alter an individual's credit score. The banks and financial institution must make an adverse report on a borrower for that to reflect on his CIBIL score.
Delayed payments and credit scores
To have a good credit score, it is not only crucial that you pay back the principal with interest, but do so at the time stipulated. There are three ways delayed payments could hurt your credit score and your pocket. These are:
Default makes fund allocation difficult: Lenders also take into account your timely repayment schedule to distribute their funds, and if your default prevents them from lending to other borrowers, then they are justified in charging you a high penalty. By reporting your default to CIBIL, they are essentially conveying your 'risky' behaviour to other lenders.
A low CIBIL score can be hard to erase: When banks and financial institutions report defaults, CIBIL updates them on its score and considers it as 'status quo' until the bank communicates otherwise. This can be hard to remove and may take months and years of sustained, responsible behaviour by the borrower (by making adequate, and timely repayments) to regain a normal score.
It nullifies your accumulated reputation: Even if you have been a good borrower and paid off instalments timely in the past, one default could erase that reputation from your credit score. As a result, you will find access to credit extremely difficult.
It could hurt your pocket: When you enter into a contract with a bank or financial company for a loan or a credit card, they include steep penalty rates/late payment fees for any delayed payment, and you could end up being the loser.
With the interlinking of most forms of credit with CIBIL scores—be it Personal Loans, Two/Four Wheeler Loans, Home Loans it is now imperative for every borrower to maintain good credit score if they wish to borrow funds for any need.
As a borrower, what steps can you take?
As a credit card or personal loan holder you know that all your transactions are under the scanner by CIBIL and your credit record is liable to get affected if you do not clear outstanding dues on time or make a default.
Come what may, try to settle your credit cards bills in full because a late payment can make an adverse entry on your credit report; one that takes months, even years to get rid of. Similarly, if you make a default on the instalment of your loan, banks and financial institution may make an adverse report to CIBIL.
How to avoid late payments?
If you are a credit card holder or borrower of any type of loan, then you must regard the due date of making repayment/instalment as the absolute deadline.
- Keep your details updated: Sometimes you may forget to update details like latest address, phone number and email ID with the bank or finance institution and the credit card statement or the instalment notice may not reach you in time. To avoid this, always keep your details updated with the lender so that you can make timely payments.
- Auto-debit a salary account: If you have a salary account with the issuing bank or any other bank, you may leave a standing instruction with your credit card or loan provider to debit the minimum or outstanding amount by a particular date. This works fine when a borrower is very busy and can't find time to keep track of your card and loan payments.
- Spread your credit usage over many cards: If you hold several credit cards, it is wiser to spread your spends across cards rather than concentrating on one particular card. It can help maintain your credit utilisation ratio.
- Convert dues to EMIs: Some credit cards give the option of converting the outstanding on your credit card into EMIs so if you don't think you can pay the outstanding in full by the due date, considering converting them to EMIs and paying it on time.
- Allow buffer time if you pay by cheques or Bill pay: Sometimes customers make payments by dropping a cheque or using third party services like Bill Pay to make payments. But understand that a cheque requires two to three days' time to be cleared and so do third party payments.
- Borrow from friends but pay in time: If you do not have the funds but a payment date is fast approaching, you can ask your friends or relatives for a short-term loan to meet the deadline. But skipping the deadline can create havoc with your credit score.
Read More on CIBIL
- Missing payment affects your CIBIL
- How to Increase CIBIL Score
- Skipping payments affects on CIBIL
- Reasons for Loan rejection other than CIBIL
- CIBIL Score Verses Report
- CIBIL Redressal Process
- CIBIL Xpress Acquire
- Terms and Conditions
- Having a high CIBIL score can get you a lower rate of interest
- What is ECN Number
- How Can Credit Score Affect Your Daily Life
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FAQs on Impact of Late Payment on CIBIL Score
- Do late payments affect the CIBIL score?
Yes, late payments lower the CIBIL score, impacting loan or credit card approvals.
- Will missing a credit bill payment impact my credit score?
Yes, missing credit card bill payments may result in a decrease in your credit score.
- What is the impact of a late payment on credit?
The impact depends on the duration and frequency of the late payment or delay. Frequent delays can lower your credit score for up to seven years, but the impact lessens over time with consistent on-time payments.
- Can late payments be removed from the credit report?
Actual late payments can't be removed, but if reported in error, disputing with the credit bureau with proof of timely payment may lead to deletion.
- How long does a late payment stay on the credit report?
Late payments linger for seven years, but their impact diminishes with consistent timely payments.
- How much can a late payment lower my credit score?
Late payments can drop your credit score by 80 to 100 points, potentially shifting your credit category.
- How to check if a late payment is on my credit report?
Sudden credit score drops may signal a late payment. Obtain a free credit report annually or subscribe for more frequent checks.
- When is a late payment recorded on the credit report?
A late payment is recorded when it's 30 days past the due date unless settled before the 30-day mark.
- What to do if I miss a credit card bill or loan EMI?
Settle the outstanding amount promptly to minimize the impact on your credit rating.
- Can a single day of late payment affect my credit score?
Yes, even a single day of late payment can negatively impact your credit score.
- Does a 7-day late payment affect my credit score?
Less than 30 days past due is less impactful, but a 30-day or more delay is considered serious, affecting credit scores.
- How long does it take to recover from one late payment?
Recovery time depends on credit history, the severity of the late payment, and credit scoring model.
- How to file a complaint about an incorrect CIBIL score?
File a dispute with CIBIL to resolve the issue if you believe your score is incorrect.
- How long does CIBIL keep track of the defaulter?
CIBIL retains borrower information for a minimum of seven years from the first payment default.
- Can a single late payment hurt my credit score?
Yes, even one delayed or missed payment can have a negative impact on your CIBIL score.
- How can I get a late payment removed from my credit report?
Making timely repayments and establishing a positive payment history may lead to the removal of a late payment remark.
CIBIL Score Requirements for Loans
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