When a loan is charged off, the original lender stops collecting payments and sends the debt to a debt collection agency. Usually, this happens if you miss several months in a row, typically 120 days. If you’ve just missed one or two payments, you won’t need to worry about a charge off yet.
If your loan is charged off, it will stay on your credit report for seven years. Additionally, the debt collection agency may file a lawsuit. If they are successful, you may be subject to a wage garnishment to help pay off your debt. If you’re concerned about the possibility of a lawsuit, it’s a good idea to get a lawyer to help you assess the situation.