More Americans are falling behind on their credit card payments. Not by a few days, but by months.

The number of accounts delinquent by 90 days jumped dramatically this year. That can destroy your credit so it's important to take steps to pay off your debt.

Bob Yee, Central Pacific Bank VP & Kaimuki Branch Manager says, "Really what you want to do is explain why you're falling behind. Write a letter. Put something in your credit file and send it to the credit reporting agencies. If it's because of a loss of job, illness, family matters, it's very important to put that in."

The worst mistake you can make is to do nothing. Sending in small payments is better than ignoring credit obligations. You can request a payment plan to show you're making an honest effort.

"Work with your creditor. A lot of times they will work with you on a payment plan, payment schedule that you can meet. The bank and creditors would always rather have something from you, some sort of payment plan rather than nothing at all."

It also helps to ask for a lower interest rate. Or, if possible, pay down your accounts with the highest interest rates first.