A good credit card can be a lifeline in a number of financial jams. Do you need to make an emergency purchase but have no cash right at hand? This is no issue. In this situation, a credit card can be beneficial. Do you want a better credit score? A credit card makes that much easier. Keep reading for more useful ways to use a credit card.
Don’t write your password or pin number down. You have to take the time to memorize these passwords and pin numbers to ensure that only you know what they are. If you write down a PIN or password, especially if you put it in your wallet with your card, anyone can access it.
When making purchases on the Internet, retain one copy of your credit card receipt. Keep your copy at least until you receive your monthly statement, to be sure that you were charged the authorized amount. If any charges are incorrect, you should immediately file a dispute. This will ensure that you aren’t wrongly overcharged.
Keep monitoring your credit report and score to see how you are doing handling your accounts. This is also good for seeing how everyone else is handling your accounts. Be sure to report errors when you see them. If there is one, contact both the credit card company as well as disputing the error with the credit bureau.
Credit Card
The credit card company should be contacted the very minute that you find that you have misplaced your credit card. In most cases, you will only be held accountable for the initial $50 in unauthorized purchases made by the person who stole your card, but it is always best to involve the proper authorities as soon as possible.
A smart tip for all people with credit cards is to request copies credit report copies. It’s free, and you want to be certain that all the information is correct. Make sure your statements match what your credit report says.
When you lose a credit card, you need to inform the credit card company as soon as you possibly can that the card is missing. If a card is stolen and used before it is reported missing, you could be held responsible for any charges made. Once you have reported your card as missing, you will not be held responsible for unauthorized usage.
Don’t be scared to ask your credit card company to reduce your credit card’s APR interest. Call the company and ask if they can lower your rate. In most cases they will agree in order to keep you as a customer.
If you have the opportunity to choose a card with your photo on it, go with it. While there might be fees involved in having the card personalized, the fees might be worth it for someone who is very concerned about someone else being able to use their card.
Avoid signing up for rewards cards if you don’t have any credit experience. These cards encourage excessive spending to get rewards, and you can end up with credit problems if you overspend. The right decision is to begin with a low limit card, and learn how to get the most from them before moving on to a reward-based card.
Credit Card
Pay 100% of your credit card bill each month if you can afford it. In the ideal credit card situation, they will be paid off entirely in every billing cycle and used simply as conveniences. Using charge cards in this way improves your credit score and prevents you from having to pay finance charges.
It is necessary for you to sign any credit card as soon as you receive it. A lot of people do not and this can make you a victim of fraud, since the cashier will not know it is not you. Many vendors now require cashiers to verify signature matches so your card can be safe.
Do not close credit card accounts until you understand the impact it may have. Sometimes closing credit cards can leave negative marks on credit reports and that should be avoided. Also, try to keep the cards open that make up the majority of your credit history.
You are probably getting the sense now that there are a lot of different ways you can use your charge cards. Charge cards have so many uses, from little purchases on the checkout line, to helping improve one’s credit score. Use the tips you learned here to use your card responsibly and keep your credit score clean.
Article By Your Debt Relief Company