How to Pay Your PHH Mortgage and Manage Your Account
PHH Mortgage Payment Basics
PHH Mortgage is a loan servicer—the company that collects your monthly payment, manages your escrow account, and handles customer service for your mortgage. You pay PHH because they own the right to collect payments on your loan, even though another bank may have originally issued it. Your payment goes to PHH's lockbox or online portal, and they forward the principal and interest to the loan owner and distribute escrow funds (property taxes, insurance, HOA fees) to the appropriate vendors.
PHH services mortgages across the United States and handles both conventional loans and government-backed mortgages (FHA, VA, USDA). The way you pay and what happens if you miss a payment depends on your loan type and your state's foreclosure laws, but the payment process itself is the same for all PHH customers.
Key Takeaways
- PHH accepts payments online through their website, by phone, by mail to their lockbox address, or through automatic bank transfers (ACH).
- Your monthly payment includes principal, interest, and usually escrow for taxes and insurance, though the escrow portion changes annually when PHH recalculates.
- A payment is on time if PHH receives it by the due date shown on your statement; payments received after that date trigger late fees and credit reporting.
- If you fall behind, PHH will contact you by phone and mail before starting foreclosure, and you have options including loan modification, forbearance, or refinancing.
- You can view your account balance, payment history, and escrow details through PHH's online portal or by calling their customer service line.
How to Make a Payment to PHH
PHH offers four main payment methods. The fastest and most reliable is online payment through their website (phhmortgage.com). Log in with your account number and password, select the payment amount and date, and submit. Online payments typically post within one business day. You can also set up automatic monthly payments through ACH (Automated Clearing House), which withdraws money from your bank account on a date you choose—usually the due date or a few days before.
If you prefer not to use the website, you can pay by phone by calling PHH's customer service line (the number is on your statement). A representative will take your payment information and process it immediately, though a small fee may apply. You can also mail a check or money order to PHH's lockbox address, which appears on your statement. Mail payments take 7 to 10 days to arrive and post, so send them well before your due date to avoid a late fee.
Do not send payments to a PHH office address—use only the lockbox address on your statement. Payments sent to the wrong address will be delayed or returned, and PHH will not waive late fees because of misdirected mail.
Understanding Your Monthly Payment Amount
Your PHH mortgage payment is usually divided into four parts, abbreviated PITI: principal (the loan amount you borrowed), interest (the cost of borrowing), taxes (property tax), and insurance (homeowners insurance). Principal and interest stay the same for the life of a fixed-rate loan. Taxes and insurance are held in an escrow account—PHH collects money from you each month, holds it, and pays the bills on your behalf when they come due.
Once a year, usually in the fall or winter, PHH recalculates your escrow account to make sure they are collecting enough to cover the coming year's taxes and insurance. If taxes or insurance went up, your monthly payment will increase. If they went down or PHH overestimated, your payment may decrease or you may receive a refund. PHH will send you an escrow analysis statement explaining the new payment amount and why it changed. This is not optional—you cannot choose to skip the escrow portion and pay taxes and insurance yourself unless you have a very large down payment or your loan is paid down significantly.
If you have an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), your interest rate and payment can change on the date specified in your loan documents, usually every year or every five years. PHH will notify you of any rate change at least 30 days before it takes effect.
What Happens If You Miss a Payment
A payment is late if PHH does not receive it by the due date on your statement. Most loan documents allow a 15-day grace period, meaning you will not be charged a late fee if you pay between the due date and 15 days after. However, late fees and credit reporting can begin immediately after the due date, depending on your loan agreement and state law. Check your loan documents or call PHH to confirm your grace period.
If you are more than 30 days late, PHH will report the missed payment to the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), and it will appear on your credit report for seven years. This damages your credit score and makes it harder to borrow money in the future. PHH will also begin calling and sending letters asking you to bring the account current. Do not ignore these notices—they are the first step toward foreclosure.
If you fall behind and cannot catch up on your own, contact PHH immediately to discuss your options. You may be able to enter a forbearance agreement, which temporarily lowers or pauses your payment while you recover financially. You can also ask about a loan modification, which permanently changes the terms of your loan (extending the payoff date, lowering the interest rate, or moving missed payments to the end of the loan). Some borrowers can refinance into a new loan with better terms. PHH has a loss mitigation team that handles these requests, and you can reach them through the customer service number on your statement.
Accessing Your PHH Account Online
PHH's online portal lets you view your balance, payment history, escrow details, and tax documents without calling. Go to phhmortgage.com and click "Log In" or "Register" if you do not have an account yet. You will need your loan number (on your statement) and Social Security number to set up an account. Once logged in, you can see your current balance, the date and amount of your last payment, upcoming due dates, and a year-to-date breakdown of principal and interest paid.
The portal also shows your escrow account balance and a projection of how much PHH expects to collect and spend on taxes and insurance over the next 12 months. If you think the escrow amount is wrong, you can request a review through the portal or by calling PHH. You can also download tax documents (Form 1098 for mortgage interest deduction) and view your payment coupon if you prefer to pay by mail.
Dealing with Escrow Issues and Overpayments
Escrow problems are common and usually fixable. If PHH collected too much money, you will see a positive balance (a credit) in your escrow account. Depending on your loan agreement, PHH may refund the overage annually, or it may reduce your next monthly payment. If PHH did not collect enough, you will see a negative balance (a shortage), and your payment will increase to make up the difference over the next 12 months. You cannot be forced to pay the entire shortage in one lump sum—it must be spread across your monthly payments.
Escrow shortages usually happen because property taxes or insurance premiums increased more than PHH predicted. If you think PHH's estimate is too high, you can request an escrow review by providing updated tax or insurance bills. PHH must respond to your request within 45 days. If you disagree with PHH's calculation, you have the right to file a complaint with your state's banking regulator or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my PHH mortgage with a credit card?
PHH does not accept credit card payments directly through their website or phone line. However, you can use a third-party payment processor (such as Plastiq or a similar service) to pay PHH with a credit card, though these services charge a fee. Most people find this more expensive than paying from a bank account or by check.
What if I pay extra toward principal?
You can pay extra, and the overage will reduce your principal balance and shorten your loan term. Make a note on your check or online payment that the extra amount should go to principal, not escrow. Call PHH to confirm they applied it correctly, because some servicers misapply extra payments. Paying extra does not reduce your monthly payment—you still owe the same amount each month unless you refinance or modify your loan.
How do I change my payment due date?
You can request a due date change through PHH's online portal or by calling customer service. Most servicers allow you to move your due date once per year. This is useful if your paycheck arrives on a different date or if you want to align your mortgage payment with other bills.
What if I think PHH made an error on my account?
Contact PHH in writing (certified mail or through the portal) and describe the error. PHH has 30 days to investigate and respond. If you believe the error is a violation of mortgage servicing rules, you can file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov or with your state's attorney general's office.
Can PHH foreclose if I am one month behind?
No. Federal law requires PHH to wait until you are at least 120 days (four months) behind before starting foreclosure. However, late fees and credit damage begin much sooner, so do not wait. Contact PHH as soon as you know you will miss a payment.