What happens if I stop paying?
Pick the debt and, if you like, the month you first missed a payment. See the usual sequence — letters, default, collectors, court — with rough dates, and what you can do to step off the path at each point.
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Nothing happens overnight
Missing a payment starts a process, not an instant consequence. For most credit debts there are months between the first missed payment and any court claim, and every stage has a point where you can stop it going further — usually by contacting the creditor, making an affordable offer, or getting free advice. The worst outcomes almost always follow letters that were not opened or deadlines that were missed.
What it does to your credit file
Missed payments are reported to the credit reference agencies each month. A default usually follows after three to six months of arrears and stays on your file for six years from the date it is recorded, whether or not you later pay. A CCJ also stays for six years unless you pay in full within one month of the judgment.
Priority debts move faster
Council tax, rent, mortgage and energy debts have different, often quicker, routes and more serious consequences, which is why they are priority debts. Use the Bill Prioritiser if you are deciding what to pay first.
You never have to pay for debt advice. MoneyHelper (government-backed), StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice all give free, confidential advice with no obligation.
Common questions
What happens if I just stop paying my credit card?
You will be charged late fees and interest, the missed payments will show on your credit file, and after a few months the lender will usually send a default notice and default the account. The debt may then be passed to a collector, and the creditor can eventually take you to court for a County Court Judgment.
Can I go to prison for not paying a credit card?
No. Not paying a credit card, loan or catalogue debt is not a crime. The creditor can take court action, but there is no prison sentence for these debts.
How long before a debt goes to court?
It varies. Most credit debts take at least several months, and often a year or more, from the first missed payment to a court claim. The creditor must send a letter of claim and give you 30 days to respond first.