Credit Card Tips That Will Change Your Life
Credit cards give people the ability to make purchases without making instant payment. Before applying for a new credit card, there is some basic knowledge that you should be aware of in order to prevent yourself from getting into insurmountable debt. Keep perusing the piece that follows to get some terrific credit card advice.
You may want to consider keeping a couple of credit card accounts open at any given time. This will help build your credit score, especially if you are able to pay the cards in full every month. However, if there are more than three cards to your name, a lender may think that’s no good when looking at your personal credit bureau report.
Whenever you see fraudulent charges on your statement, make a report right away. Taking immediate action gives you the highest probability of stopping the charges and catching the culprit. In addition, this is the best method of ensuring you aren’t responsible for the charges. The minute you notice a charge that could be fraud, an email or phone call to the credit card provider can commence the dispute process.
Go over the fine print. If you receive an offer touting a pre-approved card, or a salesperson offers you help in getting the card, make sure you know all the details involved. Be aware of how much the interest rates are going to be, and how much time it will take you to pay for it. Finding out about these details, including other details like grace periods and add-on fees, will help you stay out in front of your payments.
Most people do not handle credit cards correctly. Although it’s understandable to be in debt under special circumstances, most people abuse this and get mixed up in payments that are unaffordable. It is best to pay your credit card balance off in full each month. By doing this, you will not only keep a low balance, but you will also be able to improve your credit rating as well.
Established Credit
A co-signer may be an option to consider if you have no established credit. Anyone who has an established credit score can cosign, such as a friend, parent, or sibling. Your co-signer must sign a statement that makes them responsible for the balance if you default on the debt. This is one of the best ways to land your first card and start building a good credit score.
Don’t use an easy-to-guess password for your card’s pin code. Information like birth dates or middle names make terrible passwords because they can be easily figured out.
Purchases with bank cards should never be attempted from a public computer. Sometimes, your information gets stored on a public computer like the ones you find in libraries. Inputting your credit card information on these computers is asking for trouble. Use only your own computer at home for any and all purchases.
To save money, don’t hesitate to negotiate a lower interest rate with the company associated with your bank cards. If you have a significant history with a credit card company, and have paid your payments in a timely manner, they may be willing to offer you a lower rate. It may be as simple as making a phone call to get the rate that you want.
Verify the legitimacy of an online seller before using your credit card on their site. If there is a telephone number on the site, call the number to be sure it is legitimate. You should avoid any merchant that doesn’t list an actual physical address. That is a big red flag.
Interest Rate
Read the fine print to determine what conditions may affect your interest rate as they can change. Credit card companies are in major competition with each other, so different companies will offer different rates to their potential customers. If your interest rate is higher than you would like it to be, make a call and ask the bank to reduce it.
Credit card use is a lifesaver sometimes, but only when used wisely. The basic tips provided in this article should have given you enough information, so that you can use your credit card to purchase items, while still maintaining a good credit score and staying free of debt.