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Credit card debt has been ballooning in recent years, and when you look at today's rate and economic environment, there's really no question as to why. With the hovering above 21% and even further, things have gotten pretty tough in terms of finances for a lot of Americans. As a result, more people are struggling to fit both their debt payments and their essentials into their budgets, resulting in an uptick in . 

But can trigger late fees and a rising balance, making your card debt a lot more expensive — and that's just the beginning. Once you're 30, 60 or even 90 days late, the stakes are much higher. can take a hit, your debt could be and you might even be facing legal action at some point down the line. But despite the possible consequences, you still have options, and the earlier you act, the easier it is to fix the situation.

And, knowing what to do at each stage of delinquency can make all the difference, whether your payment slipped through the cracks or you're struggling to keep up due to a job loss, illness or another financial setback. 

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If you've fallen behind on your credit card debt, here's how you can start to fix the issue before the damage spirals out of control.

At 30 days past due, your credit card issuer will likely — usually around $30 to $40 — and increase your balance with accrued interest. That, in turn, can add to the already high costs of your credit card debt. 

But here's the upside: Most issuers won't to the credit bureaus until you're more than 30 days past the due date. That means if you act quickly, you might still protect your credit score. Here's what to do:

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If you're 60 days late on your credit card payment, the delinquency will almost certainly be reported to the credit bureaus and your credit score could drop sharply, especially if you had a solid score before. You'll also likely face , which can be 29.99% or higher, applied to your balance going forward.

At this point, you should:

Once you're 90 days late on your card payment, the situation becomes critical. At this point, most credit card issuers will typically escalate your account to a collections department or . Your credit score could fall even further, and depending on the creditor's policies, they may start .

That doesn't mean you're out of options, though. Here's what to do at this point:

Falling behind on credit card payments is a more common issue than many people realize, especially in this current financial environment. But if you're delinquent on your card payments, the longer you wait to act, the more damage you'll face to your credit, peace of mind and financial future. So, whether you're 30 days behind or are heading rapidly toward collections, don't ignore the problem. Start with a call to your creditor, explore your relief options and take small steps toward a sustainable solution.