What happens if I can't afford to pay my personal loan?

Asked by: Miss Anita Stoltenberg  |  Last update: July 3, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (29 votes)

Beyond simply wanting to help, lenders have a financial incentive to do so. If your lender can't get a hold of you to pay your debt or if you go too long between payments, they're often forced to send the debt to a collection agency.

How to get out of a personal loan you can't afford?

Options if You Can't Pay Back Your Personal Loan
  1. Contact Your Lender. If you anticipate being unable to make payments due to financial hardship, contact your lender right away. ...
  2. Look for Extra Money. Do whatever you can to make payments and avoid default. ...
  3. Try Credit Counseling. ...
  4. Consider Debt Consolidation.

What happens if you can't pay a personal loan?

After you fail to make a few payments, your loan will be considered in default, which essentially means that you've failed to follow through on the terms of your loan agreement. Once you're in default, you can be contacted by debt collectors and even be asked to appear in court.

What can I do if I can't afford to pay my loan?

Contact Your Lenders: Reach out to your credit card issuer and loan provider. Many lenders offer hardship programs or may be willing to negotiate payment plans, lower interest rates, or temporary deferments. Prioritize Payments: If you can't pay everything, prioritize your payments.

Is it a crime to not pay back a personal loan?

Collection of a Personal Loan

Some borrowers will not be able to pay back the loan, regardless of how politely your request. And you cannot throw a person in jail for not paying their debts. You can act against the debtor; however, this is not something you should take on by yourself.

Why you should NEVER stress about defaulted debt

19 related questions found

Can you go to jail if you default on a personal loan?

Defaulting on a loan is not a crime. Lenders don't have legal jurisdiction to arrest you for an overdue balance. However, defaulting on a loan will have serious financial implications. It can result in the lender seizing your property as collateral, if applicable.

What happens when you go to court for not paying a loan?

You may get hit with a debt collection lawsuit if you have old, unpaid medical, credit card or other consumer debt. If you don't respond in time or attend the court hearing, the creditor is likely to win — and may get the right to take part of your wages or bank account.

Is it illegal to borrow money and not pay it back?

You may be taken to court

On that note, you can be sued for not paying back a payday loan, even if the loan amount is small.

What to do if I Cannot repay the loan?

You can keep up with your personal finance repayment schedule by following the steps listed below.
  1. #Step 1 – Stay calm and composed. ...
  2. #Step 2 – Talk to your lender. ...
  3. #Step 3 – Consider refinancing the loan. ...
  4. #Step 4 – Look for ways to increase income. ...
  5. #Step 5 – Sell something of value.

What to do if you owe money and can't pay?

If you can't pay the full amount that you owe, even over time, you can talk about that with a debt recovery analyst. Call 888-826-3127. You may be eligible for a compromise agreement or other relief. With a compromise agreement, you satisfy your debt by paying less than the full amount of the debt.

Can I pause personal loan payments?

Deferment can temporarily pause your loan payments while keeping your accounts current. Lenders usually ask for proof of financial hardship to approve you for loan deferment. While payments aren't required, interest may continue to accrue. This can result in higher payments when deferment ends.

Can I negotiate my personal loan?

Try to negotiate or shop around if you're not happy with the interest that you get. Shorter terms usually mean less overall interest, but be sure that you can afford the repayment amount (even if something unexpected happens to your finances).

Can you sue someone for not paying back a personal loan?

Yes, you can sue someone who owes you money.

What is a hardship personal loan?

A hardship loan is a personal loan you use to cover unexpected expenses. Whether you need a bridge between paychecks or thousands of dollars for that leaky roof, a hardship loan could help. Hardship loans come as lump sums of money, often by direct deposit. You'll pay back what you borrowed in equal monthly payments.

Who can give me money right now?

I need money now. Where can I borrow from fast?
  • Emergency credit. We do not recommend payday loans or other forms of high-cost credit. ...
  • Credit unions. Credit unions are local, member-owned alternatives to banks. ...
  • Grants. ...
  • Trust funds. ...
  • Help from your local council. ...
  • Track down money you have missed out on.

Can I get my personal loan forgiven?

In fact, it's rare for any types of debt (other than federal student loans) to be forgiven. Under certain circumstances, you may be able to settle your personal loans for less than you owe, but this is typically only done in the case of delinquent loans and happens through third-party debt settlement companies.

What happens if I can't pay my personal loan?

Once you default, your creditor knows that you are unable to repay the loan. They may then switch into collections mode, either sending you to an in-house collection team or selling your debt to an outside debt collector.

What if I am unable to pay my debt?

It is important to talk about your financial difficulties - the earlier, the better - or you may find yourself in a spiral of debt. If you think you cannot pay your debts or are feeling overwhelmed, seek support. Help is available. A trained debt adviser can talk you through the options available.

How do I get out of a personal loan?

Can't pay back your personal loan? 5 options to consider
  1. Contact your lender right away.
  2. Try to refinance your loan.
  3. Consolidate your debt.
  4. Enroll in a debt management plan.
  5. Negotiate a settlement.

Can I get in trouble for not paying a loan?

You cannot be arrested or sentenced to prison for not paying off debt such as student loans, credit cards, personal loans, car loans, home loans or medical bills.

What can I do if someone owes me money and refuses to pay the UK?

You can use a statutory demand to ask for money you're owed from a person or business. If they ignore the statutory demand or cannot repay the money, you can apply to a court to: make someone bankrupt - if you're owed £5000 or more by an individual, including a sole trader or a member of a partnership.

What is a major consequence of failing to pay back a loan on time?

A borrower who is past due will usually face some penalties and can be subject to late fees. Failure to repay a loan on time usually has negative implications for a borrower's credit status and may cause loan terms to be permanently adjusted.

Is defaulting on a loan a crime?

Defaulting on a loan is not a crime, and in most debt situations, you can't be arrested for it. It's illegal for debt collectors to threaten you with jail‌ time. However, there are times when debts could lead to an arrest.

What happens if I stop paying an unsecured loan?

If you don't pay an unsecured loan, you might face late fees and higher interest rates, and your credit score could drop. Debt collectors might call you and send letters. If you still don't pay, the debt could go to a law firm, and they might sue you.

Will a collection agency sue for $3000?

The bottom line. While debt collectors may not automatically sue over a $3,000 credit card debt, they have the right to pursue legal action if they believe it's a viable option.