You usually know you are in some type of financial trouble when you find you have a default on your file. But, before you run off in a panic to sell everything you can find in order to attempt to get back near the black, there are a few things you can do. You, or another person, may be able to perform a type of credit repair. Trying it is worth it, as a black mark or bankruptcy can ruin your chances for some time if you are going to need a loan or a line of credit in the near future. Utility services are not too happy if they see you have defaulted before on a loan or service and neither will be anyone else that you wish to deal with.