Customer advice itself is a commodity, especially when dealing with charge cards. Keep reading to learn how to use your credit cards wisely in order to avoid some common problems. Too many people do not know what they are doing when it comes to bank cards and often find themselves in financial trouble.
Lots of cards give large bonuses simply for signing up. Read the fine print thoroughly, though, as the terms for qualifying for the bonus may be quite strict. The most common condition for the bonus is having to spend certain amounts during a set amount of months; before you get tempted with a bonus offer, make sure you meet the necessary qualifications first.
Make your credit card payments in a timely manner. Ignoring the due date on your credit card bill can result in large penalty fees. Also, many creditors will increase your interest rates costing you even more money in the future.
Always read everything, even the small print. If you receive a pre-approved card offer, make sure you understand the full picture. It’s important to know what your interest rate is and will be in the future. Also, know what fees are associated with the account and if there are any grace periods.
Use pass codes and pins that are hard for people to decipher. Never use your middle name, one of your children’s names or dates of birth as a password because the information is easily obtained by someone who sets their mind to it.
Card Information
Use caution when using your charge cards online. Before entering card information online, ensure you’re using a secure site. A site that is secure will keep your data confidential. In addition, you should ignore any emails that ask you for your card information, because these are attempts to collect your information.
Double check for annual fees when signing up for premium credit cards. Annual fees for high end cards can be very high depending on how exclusive they are. Unless you have some specific need for exclusive credit cards, remember this tip and save yourself some money.
Keep a list of the “lost/stolen card” phone numbers for each of your credit card issuers along with your credit card number for reference. Keep it in a safe spot, such as a safety deposit box, separate from all of your cards. Having such a list will enable you to take quick action and have all the information handy, when it is needed.
As you can probably see, it is very easy to get yourself deep in financial trouble by charging up credit cards. Getting multiple cards or charging too much can get you into a great deal of trouble. Hopefully, this guide will help you avoid problems related to your credit card.