It’s easy to get confused when you look at all the credit card offers that are out there. However, if you educate yourself about credit cards, you won’t sign up for a card with a high interest rate or other problematic terms. Read this article to learn more about credit cards, so that you can figure out which card best suits your needs.
Be safe when giving out your credit card information. If you like to order things online with it, then you have to be sure the website is secure. If you notice charges that you didn’t make, call the customer service number for the credit card company. They can help deactivate your card and make it unusable, until they mail you a new one with a new account number.
Do not lend your credit card to anyone. Credit cards are as valuable as cash, and lending them out can get you into trouble. If you lend them out, the person might overspend, making you responsible for a large bill at the end of the month. Even if the person is worthy of your trust, it is better to keep your credit cards to yourself.
Do not accept the first credit card offer that you receive, regardless of how good it sounds. While you may be tempted to jump on an offer, you do not want to take any chances that you will end up signing up for a card and then, seeing a better deal shortly after from another company.
Lots of credit card companies give bonuses for when you sign up for new credit cards. Make sure that you’re fully aware of what’s in the fine print, as bonuses offered by credit card companies often have strict requirements. For example, you may need to spend a specific amount within a certain period of time in order to qualify for the bonus. Be sure that you’ll be able to meet the requirements before you let the bonus offer tempt you.
Make timely payments on your credit card accounts to maintain a high credit score. Tardy payments hurt your credit record and result in expensive penalties. You can save time and money by establishing automatic payments through your bank or credit card company.
Alert your credit card issuer the moment you are having financial difficulty. A credit card company may work with you to set up a payment plan you can afford. This can help to save your credit score.
Before you decide on a new credit card, be careful to read the fine print. Credit card companies have been in business for many years now, and know of ways to make more money at your expense. Be sure to read the contract in full, before signing to be sure that you are not agreeing to something that will harm you in the future.
To make sure you select an appropriate credit card based on your needs, determine what you would like to use your credit card rewards for. Many credit cards offer different rewards programs such as those that give discounts on travel, groceries, gas or electronics so pick a card that suits you best!
If you are having a problem getting a credit card, consider a secured account. A secured credit card will require you to open a savings account before a card is issued. If you ever default on a payment, the money from that account will be used to pay off the card and any late fees. This is a good way to begin establishing credit, so that you have opportunities to get better cards in the future.
Fully read the disclosure statement before you accept a credit card. This statement explains the terms of use for that card, including any associated interest rates and late fees. By reading the statement, you can understand the card you are choosing, in order to make effective decisions when it comes to paying it off.
It is good practice to check your credit card transactions with your online account to make sure they match up correctly. You do not want to be charged for something you didn’t buy. This is also a great way to check for identity theft or if your card is being used without your knowledge.
Find a credit card that rewards you for your spending. Spend money on the card that you would need to spend anyway, such as gas, groceries and even, utility bills. Pay this card off each month as you would those bills, but you get to keep the rewards as a bonus.
Create a list of your credit cards, including the account number and emergency contact number for each one. Secure the list in a spot away from the cards themselves. Should your cards ever be lost or stolen, you can use this list to promptly notify the companies that issued your credit cards and advise them of the situation.
If you ever have a charge on your card that is an error on the credit card company’s behalf, you can get the charges taken off. The way you do this is by sending them the date of the bill and what the charge is. You are protected from these things by the Fair Credit Billing Act.
Always avoid closing an account. You might think doing so would help, but your credit score may be damaged by closing accounts. This is due to the fact that you subtract from the gross credit that you have, which lowers your ratio.
Now that you have read this article, you hopefully, have a better understanding of how credit cards work. Next time you get a credit card offer in the mail, you should be able to figure out whether this credit card is for you. Refer back to this article if you need extra help in evaluating credit card offers.
