What should you know about the business practices of credit card companies? How do credit card companies change credit card limits? What reasons do credit card companies give for changing credit card limits? How can you protect yourself when using a credit card? Learn more here about credit cards and your personal finance.
Internet Scams Include Credit Cards And Investments
The Internet is full of scams that sound too good to be true. Learn about some common Internet scams involving credit cards, health care, investments, online auctions and more. Some Internet scams also involve fraudulent telephone charges. Learn how to discover an Internet scam and who to report it to.
Reporting Problems With Credit Cards
When dealing with your personal finances, problems with your credit cards or debit cards require quick action. You need to immediately report problems with your credit cards, including billing errors, lost or stolen cards, and identity theft. And if you discover errors involving electronic fund transfers to your checking account, like missing or incorrect transactions, contact your bank as soon as possible.
Finding A Low Rate To Reduce Credit Card Debt
Lowering credit card debt is a noble objective for all of us. Maybe you need to switch credit cards? Finding a new credit card is a good move if your old credit card has high interest rates and stiff fines. Here's how to find a good credit card and what to watch out for.
Reducing Junk Mail
There are ways to reduce junk mail and telephone solicitations. You can register with name removal services and a do not call list to reduce junk mail and phone solicitations. There is also a phone number you can call to reduce junk mail by removing your name from credit card lists.
Credit Card Theft And Identity Fraud
Credit card companies are banking on new technology to stem the tide of identity theft. Ilyce Glink discusses the latest technology ideas for preventing identity theft and credit card fraud, as well as a few tips to protect yourself against identity theft.
Creating Credit In A Cash Economy
Cashing checks at a currency exchange doesn't help you create a credit history. If you don't have a credit history, it's a lot tougher to get a credit card, not to mention an auto loan or a mortgage or even a job. Ilyce explains what you need to do to create a credit history and gain access to credit that can help you to buy a house, buy a car, or achieve other financial goals.
Netspend Stored Value Cards
The Netspend card is a stored value card. It looks like a credit card, but acts like a debit card. However, instead of being tied to a checking account, you have to load up the card with cash before you use it. Here are a few of the new Netspend features.
Mortgage Lender May Modify Mortgage Loan
Many homeowners mistakenly believe that if their mortgage lender knows they're in trouble, their loan will immediately be put into foreclosure. In reality, the Department of Housing and Urban Development requires lenders to develop a strategy that can help you keep your home. Your lender may be willing to discuss modifying your home loan with you.
Canceling Credit Cards Affects Credit Score
Canceling open lines of credit may hurt your credit score. There are a couple of ways that canceling a credit card account can hurt your credit score. Part of your credit score is based on how long you've had credit accounts opened. So, a credit card with a zero balance that has been opened for 20 years will help your credit score more than a credit card account that has only been opened 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, or even 10 years.
Strategy For Improving Credit Score
A couple is planning on getting a new mortgage in a couple of years and wants to pay off credit card debt with a home equity loan. If you can trade non-deductible debt like credit cards for deductible debt like a home equity loan, it's usually the better deal. A home equity loan will charge less in interest than credit cards and you can write the interest you pay off on your federal income tax return.