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If you’re falling behind on your bills, you’re not alone. A July VantageScore report found that even those with high credit scores are missing payments, as credit delinquencies spiked and scores dropped.
If those bills include credit card balances, a card with a 0% interest period may help you defeat that debt. Here’s how.
A Worrying Trend
The VantageScore report found that those with credit scores in the “superprime” segment (scores 781 to 850) struggled to keep up with payments, as credit delinquencies over 90 days late went up 109% year over year for these consumers. The credit tier below, “prime” (scores 661 to 780), saw a 47% increase in delinquencies year over year.
Other concerning trends also appeared. The average VantageScore 4.0 dropped to 701, and while it was down just 1 point, the decrease paints a picture of consumers facing difficulty with repayment. VantageScore’s subprime tier (scores 300 to 600) grew from 18.1% to 18.7% between July 2023 and July 2025, the report said.
Mortgage and auto loan delinquencies also ticked up, at 0.11 points and 0.05 points, respectively, with balances increasing month to month.
“Consumers in the highest VantageScore credit tiers are showing increased signs of credit stress on a year-over-year basis,” said Susan Fahy, executive vice president and chief digital officer at VantageScore in the report.
“We’re also seeing a marked divergence in secured versus unsecured lending. Balances are increasing for auto loans and mortgages, while new credit originations are down. Sustained inflation for car and house prices is driving higher balances in these credit categories.”
Give Yourself Breathing Room To Pay Down Balances
If you’re struggling to stay on top of your bills, the best resource you can give yourself is time. Opening a credit card with a 0% APR introductory offer can help, giving you room to earn income, budget and aggressively attack debt without incurring interest.
Many 0% APR cards offer an intro period of a year and as long as 21 months, with low balance transfer fees. Some of our top balance transfer credit cards include:
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card*: Offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles, then a standard 18.49% to 28.74% variable APR applies. A balance transfer fee of 5% ($5 minimum) applies and balances transferred must be completed within 60 days from account opening. New cardholders can also earn a $200 rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. Give yourself more than a year to make a dent in your debt.
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, 19.24% to 29.24% variable APR after that; 3% balance transfer fee for the first 15 months, 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you. A welcome bonus is also available: 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, plus a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. Great for travelers hoping to curb debt.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% to 28.49% applies. An intro transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies in the first 60 days of account opening. After that, a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer applies. An added welcome bonus of $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening can also go toward debt.