WebsiteAlways.com


How To Survive In A Plastic World, Qualifying For Credit Card


Let's face it, having credit is no longer a choice. "Don't leave home without it" is more like "can't buy a home without it." Your credit now determines the neighborhood you live in, the kind of car you drive and, sometimes, even whether or not you get a particular job.

Credit cards are great financial tools and the convenience they provide is beyond question

They are easier to carry than cash and offer valuable consumer protection under federal law.

Establishing A Good Credit History

Suppose you haven't financed a car loan, a computer or some other major purchase. How do you begin to establish credit?

First, consider applying for a credit card issued by a local store and use it responsibly. Ask if they report to a credit bureau, most major department stores do. If they do and if you pay your bills on time you'll establish a good credit history.

Second, consider a secured credit card. A secured credit card requires that you open and maintain a bank account or other asset account at a financial institution as security for your line of credit. Your line of credit will be a percentage of your deposit, typically from 50 to 100 percent. Credit card application and processing fees are not uncommon for secured credit cards. In addition, secured credit cards usually carry higher interest rates than traditional no secured credit cards.

What To Do When You Are Denied A Credit Card

If you're turned down for a credit card, it is important that you ask why. It may be that you haven't been at our current address or job long enough, or that your income doesn't meet the issuer's criteria. As you'll discover, different credit cards companies have different standards. But, if you are turned down by several companies, that may indicate that you are not ready for a credit card.

On the other hand, if you've been denied a credit card because of information supplied by a credit bureau, federal law requires the creditor to give you the name, address and telephone number of the bureau that supplied the information. If you contact that credit bureau within 60 days of receiving the denial, you are entitled to a free copy of your report.

It is extremely important that you dispute any inaccuracy with the credit bureau, but also with the company that furnished the information to the credit bureau. No one is going to make corrections on your behalf.

"Credi-quette" --The Miss Manners Guide To Proper Credit Card Handling

Once you get a card in the mail, sign it immediately so no one else can use it. Note that the accompanying papers have important information, such as customer service telephone numbers in case you have questions or your card is lost or stolen. File this information in a safe place - one that is easy for you to access.

Call the card issuer to activate the card. Most cards come with stickers affixed that give you a telephone number to call. Many issuers require this step to minimize fraud and to give you additional information.

Keep your account information to yourself. Never give out a credit card number or expiration date over the phone unless you know who you're dealing with. A criminal can use this information to steal money from you, or even assume your credit identity.

Keep copies of sales slips and compare charges when your bill arrives. Promptly report in writing any questionable charges to the card issuer.

Don't lend your card to anyone, even a friend. Your credit privileges and history are too precious to risk.

Credit Card Land Mines - Watch Your Step!

While a credit card makes it easy to buy something now and pay for it later, you can lose track of how much you've spent by the time the bill arrives if you're not careful. And if you don't pay your bill in full, you'll probably have to pay finance charges on the unpaid balance. What's more if you continue to charge while carrying an outstanding balance , your debt can snowball.

Before you know it, your minimum payment is only covering the interest. If you start having trouble repaying the debt, you could tarnish your credit report. And that can have a sizable impact on your life. When a negative report makes it more difficult to finance a car or home, get insurance or even get a job, it can be frustrating, embarrassing and downright painful.

Copyright © Credit and You | All Rights Reserved |

To find out additional rights you have as a credit card user, how to get your first credit card, easy steps anyone can take to repair there credit report, the different types of credit cards accounts, and how to find out if your getting the best credit card deal visit http://www.creditandyou.com/creditcards.html it's a free information website!


MORE RESOURCES:

Boston Globe

Ex-Credit Suisse brokers indicted on fraud charges
Financial Times, UK - Sep 5, 2008
By Joanna Chung in New York Two former Credit Suisse brokers have been indicted on fraud and conspiracy charges related to the sale of auction rate ...
Former Credit Suisse broker arrested in US Swissinfo
Former Credit Suisse broker charged with subprime-linked fraud in ... International Herald Tribune
UPDATE 1-FBI arrests ex-Credit Suisse broker Reuters
Independent - Forbes
all 527 news articles


Boston Globe

US travelers face credit snafu
Boston Globe, United States - 1 hour ago
By Eric Lucas All I wanted to do was buy gas, so I put my credit card in the automatic card-reader and got ready to fill the tank. ...
Bridging the gap year: stay out of the red in the wild blue yonder Independent
all 2 news articles


Clock ticks down on credit bureau class-action deal
Indianapolis Star, United States - 2 hours ago
In a class-action settlement, credit bureau TransUnion has agreed to provide free credit- monitoring services to millions of consumers to settle claims it ...


MORE COLLEGE CREDIT
Chicago Sun-Times, United States - 12 hours ago
Despite the current nationwide credit crunch, the State of Illinois secured $100 million for the student loans by tapping a new source -- credit unions. ...


CEP News

S&P raises Nalco Co.'s credit rating
CNNMoney.com - Sep 5, 2008
NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Standard & Poor's on Friday upgraded its corporate credit rating on Nalco Co., citing bright prospects for the company to ...
S&P puts Fifth Third on credit watch Dayton Daily News
Credit rating soars in District 300 Northwest Herald
Starbucks downgraded to 'BBB' on weakening credit metrics - S&P Hemscott
CNNMoney.com - CNNMoney.com
all 106 news articles


Credit Report Need Fixing? Take Action Yourself
Hartford Courant, United States - 10 hours ago
Mike Ferrara wants to buy a house in a few months and is worried that mistakes on his credit report will keep him from obtaining the loan he will need. ...


BBC News

18 months of credit crunch ahead, says HBOS chief
Sunday Herald, UK - 10 hours ago
By Bridget Morris THE GLOBAL credit crunch is likely to last until 2010, the head of Britain's largest mortgage provider has claimed. ...
HBOS chief says credit crunch to last through 2010 International Herald Tribune
Credit crunch will last another 18 months Telegraph.co.uk
Credit crunch to last another 18 months Times Online
Reuters - BBC News
all 42 news articles


College students should study up on ID theft
Chicago Tribune, United States - 1 hour ago
Here are tips from security experts: Avoid credit card solicitations. This is a good idea anyway to stay out of debt. But there's a scarier reason to avoid ...
Limit damage after ID theft Sun-Sentinel.com
Identity Theft Solution Corsavoo.com
What I learned when thieves stole my identity Sun-Sentinel.com
all 5 news articles


Federal housing tax credit has mixed benefits
Indianapolis Star, United States - Sep 5, 2008
By Jeff Swiatek At Carpenter Realtors in the Indianapolis area, agents wear lapel buttons proclaiming, "Ask me about the $7500 tax credit. ...
Plenty to Coax Home Buyers Back To the Market Washington Post
all 2 news articles


Understanding Refundable Tax Credits
Wall Street Journal - 4 hours ago
By TOM HERMAN Q: What is a "refundable tax credit"? If I don't understand what it is, I presume that many other people don't either. ...
Agency to offer money advice Baltimore Sun
Tax Cuts, Real and Imaginary The Weekly Standard
all 3 news articles

Credit - Google News

Interesting articles | Home | site map | Link
© 2006
Job posting sites Breast enlargement Jobs Mahoubi.net Free Online Dating | Free personals | Married personals | Totally free personals | Dating online lakeland fl | Free dating sites | Travel Vacations | Multiple listing service real estate