How to defer your bill payments if you've been financially affected by the coronavirus

Morsa Images/Getty Images

• If you've been financially impacted by the coronavirus, you may be able to defer payments on your mortgage, credit card, auto loan, private student loan, or personal loan.
• Many banks are allowing customers to defer payments without facing a penalty.
• Don't just stop paying your lender - call a customer service representative to set up deferment.
• We've included customer service phone numbers for 15 big banks' individual departments.
• Read more personal finance coverage »

Around the United States, businesses are temporarily closing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Closings have put millions of Americans out of work, and many are struggling to pay their bills.

Thankfully, some companies are extending grace to customers who have been financially impacted by the coronavirus. You can call your utility company to ask about pausing payments. You may be able to defer payments on your mortgage, credit card, auto loan, private student loan, or personal loan by calling your bank.

How to defer your bill payments during coronavirus

1. Don't stop paying your bills without saying anything

If you've been affected by the coronavirus, don't just stop paying your bills. Your credit score could decrease, and you may end up paying late fees. If you skip mortgage payments for two months without communicating with your bank, your lender could start the foreclosure process. It's crucial to contact your bank if you want to pause payments.

2. Do a quick online search, but expect to call

You can search online for any announcement about how your bank is handling payments amid the coronavirus outbreak. You will likely need to call a customer service representative.

Your wait time may be longer than usual when you call, because numerous people are contacting their banks to ask about deferment. But stay on the line - it will be worth the wait.

3. Make sure you have your account information

Before you call, make sure your account information is on hand and decide which payments you want to defer. For example, if you have a credit card and a mortgage with the same bank, specify whether you want to set up deferment for both accounts.

4. Write down the details of your conversation

Have a pen and paper ready. You'll want to write down the new terms of your loan, including the date your next payment is due. Write down a confirmation number and the name of the person you spoke with in case you need this information later. Keep the paper in a place that's safe and easy for you to remember later.

Customer service numbers for major banks

Some banks have a general customer service number, and others provide different numbers for each department. Here is the contact information for 15 major banks, in alphabetical order:

American Express

Call an American Express customer service representative at 1 (800) 528-4800.

Ally

• Mortgages: 1 (855) 256-2559
• Auto loans: 1 (888) 925-2559

Bank of America

• Credit cards: 1 (800) 732-9194
• Auto loans: 1 (800) 215-6195
• Mortgages: 1 (800) 669-6607

Capital One

• Credit cards: 1 (800) 227-4825
• Auto financing: 1 (800) 946-0332
• Personal loans: 1 (800) 926-1000

Citigroup

Citigroup is recommending borrowers manage accounts in the Citi Mobile® app since phone lines are backed up. But if you'd like to speak with someone, you can call 1 (800) 374-9700.

Discover

• Credit cards: 1 (800) 347-2683
• Mortgages: 1 (855) 295-2193
• Private student loans: 1 (800) 788-3368
• Personal Loans: 1 (866) 248-1255

Goldman Sachs

Rather than calling the credit card department or mortgage department, you can call the office location nearest to you. Find the customer service numbers for all 25 US locations here.

JPMorgan Chase

Call customer service at 1 (800) 935-9935.

Morgan Stanley

Contact the Morgan Stanley Client Relations Department at 1 (866) 227-2256.

PNC Financial Services

• Credit cards: 1 (800) 558-8472
• Mortgages: 1 (800) 822-5626
• Private student loans: 1 (800) 762-1001

SoFi

• Mortgages: 1 (844) 763-4466
• Other customer support: 1 (855) 456-7634

Synchrony Bank

To contact a representative about your Synchrony credit card, call the number on the back of the card.

TD Bank

Call a TD Bank customer service representative at 1 (888) 751-9000.

US Bancorp

Contact the US Bancorp customer service at 1 (800) 872-2657.

Wells Fargo

• Credit cards: 1-800-642-4720
• Mortgages: 1-800-357-6675

• Read more on managing your money in this tumultuous time:
• 3 options for people struggling to pay their mortgage during the global health crisis
• 4 reasons to get disability insurance, even if you don't think you need it
• If you've been financially impacted by the coronavirus, you may be able to pause payments on these 8 bills
• How to get a stimulus check from the US government, which could pay up to $1,200 if you qualify
• In response to the coronavirus, credit card issuers like Amex and Capital One are letting customers skip payments without interest and more

Do you have a personal experience with the coronavirus you'd like to share? Or a tip on how your town or community is handling the pandemic? Please email covidtips@businessinsider.com and tell us your story.

And get the latest coronavirus analysis and research from Business Insider Intelligence on how COVID-19 is impacting businesses.

NOW WATCH: Tax Day is now July 15 - this is what it's like to do your own taxes for the very first time