Credit / Account Management

Getting a Credit Card Early Can Save You Money Later On
Getting a credit card relatively early in life, and then using it responsibly, can help you build a solid credit history. This relatively simple move can provide you with a respectable cred...

Take Easy Precautions to Avoid Credit Cards Pitfalls
While careless use of a credit card can leave you in debt, approaching your credit cards with a dose of common sense will ensure this doesn't happen. By taking some relatively easy precauti...

Simple Rules Can Help Prevent Credit Card Debt
Credit Counseling Service has one simple consideration: whether you can manage your credit card properly. As the CEO of the nonprofit group that helps consumers break free from debt, Rich...

Pay by Credit Card to Help Your Credit Score
You might think that just because you are financially responsible, with no debt and a responsible borrowing history, that your credit score would undoubtedly reflect that. But you may actua...

Credit Card Users Need Not Strive for Perfect Credit
Most consumers probably know that credit card applications are approved or denied on the basis of their credit score, that all-important number with a huge bearing on your ability to borrow ...

Paying Off Credit Card Debt Vs. Funding Your 401k
When we are presented with two options that both seem good, it can be tough to make a decision. This is true in the case of the choice between using extra money to pay off credit card debt ...

Credit Card Fraud Danger Lurks in Magazine Inserts
Consumers who receive magazines or catalogs in the mail could be the target of credit card fraud. Many magazines and catalogs arrive in the mail with pre-printed, pre-approved credit card a...

Be Credit Card Savvy When Shopping for the Holidays
Before you step out the door with your credit card in hand for some holiday shopping, take some time to go over both your credit card statement and the credit card's terms and conditions. S...

Googling Your Name Can Turn Up Credit Card Data
It's a popular diversion: type your name (or a friend's name) into an Internet search engine like Google and see what results pop up. Occasionally, the search results may contain something ...

Protect Yourself From Credit Card
By now, most savvy credit card users know to carefully review their bill each month for any unauthorized charges. Scrutinizing you credit card statement for unusual activity can alert you t...

Credit Cards Provide a Safety Net for Cash-Strapped Consumers
live beyond their means. But for cash-strapped consumers simply looking to get by, credit cards act as a safety net, helping them to make ends meet during tough financial times. Not every...

Protect Your Credit Card From the Latest Identity Theft Techniques
Most credit card users are aware that they need to be wary of identity thieves who would like nothing better than to gain the card number from an unsuspecting consumer. So while consumers s...

Credit Card Information at Risk When Throwing Away an Old Computer
With the rapid pace of technological innovation today, the computer you just bought a year ago may already seem outdated. So it's likely you regularly buy a new one. But what to do with th...

Let Credit Cards Work Together to Save You Money
With credit cards providing all sorts of benefits, choosy consumers can get a lot of mileage from having a decent assortment of plastic. Issuers are creating credit cards that target differ...

Keeping Watch on Credit Card Fees Could Save You Money
Credit card users who haven't bothered to read the fine print in their cardmember agreements could be paying more than they expect, should they incur a late payment fee. Credit card issu...

Credit Card Dangers May Lurk on Smaller Websites
Most online shoppers are cognizant of the fact that their credit card information is usually safeguarded and feel justifiably confident when performing e-commerce transactions. Despite news...

Keep Your Credit Card Safe When Shopping For an Online Bargain
Most credit card users already are aware that their credit card information could be at risk on the Internet if precautions are not taken. News stories have focused on major security breach...

Credit Line Shouldn't Be Viewed as Part of Your Income
Too frequently, consumers view their credit card's line of credit as they do with their own paycheck -- as an amount of money they have to spend as they please. They may simply add their cr...

Card Issuers Encourage Debit Card Signature Transactions
Debit cards provide a choice for consumers who make a purchase with their plastic. Debit card users can opt to go the "debit" route and enter their personal identification number (or PIN) w...

Credit Card and Debit Card Blocking
Sometimes, businesses will charge more on your credit card or debit card than what you actually authorize. If you have ever been told shortly after you stayed in a hotel or rented a car tha...

Common Credit Card Appearance
No matter what credit card you carry in your wallet (or the variety of credit cards you keep on hand for various purchases), it shares some physical characteristics with the cards used by co...

Visa Security Keeps Cardholders Safe
Visa credit card holders can take comfort in the fact that their security is in good hands. Visa's security program uses a number of methods to ensure that your Visa account information is ...

You Might be Headed for Credit Card Debt Trouble If...
There is good debt (such as student loans and home loans) and bad debt (credit card debt, high-interest loans). There is also an acceptable level of consumer debt, as well as just plain too...

Credit Card Cancellation How-To
You are considering canceling a credit card. Perhaps you found a credit card you like better. Maybe you just have too much plastic in your wallet, or you no longer use that individual credi...

Online Bill Pay -- Where to Start
One of the truly great things about having a credit card is the convenience that it affords. With a credit card, you can almost completely avoid carrying cash or checks. And, now with the ad...

Consumer Debt Trends
Consumer debt in this country has been on the rise since the 1980's. And, it's no coincidence that this was the beginning of the rapid expansion of credit card use in America. Banks and cred...

Pulaski Bank Can Fix Your High Credit Card Rates
It can be mighty tempting to pounce on every 0% APR credit card offer that comes in the mail each week. But for those consumers who have grown tired of temporary credit card teaser rates, th...

Think Twice Before Canceling an Old Credit Card
With all the negative press about credit cards and credit card debt, it's really tempting for most people to go through their wallet and start weeding out unused or high interest credit card...

Credit Scores For Dummies
If you are somewhat or completely confused by credit scores (often called FICO Scores), you are not alone. In fact, you are probably part of the majority that finds themselves befuddled by h...

What Makes Up Your Credit Score?
If you have ever wandered how the credit bureaus come up with your credit score you are not alone. It is one of the more arcane things in shadows of the financial world. You may have heard a...

Old Credit Card Debt Can Come Back to Haunt You
Credit card debt can sometimes be like a bad penny that keeps turning up. Obviously, the only wise course of action is to pay bills promptly and never get oneself overextended. But for those...

Universal Default -- What it is and How to Avoid it
Universal default is a relatively new provision that has been added to the credit card member terms and conditions by credit card companies. Universal default basically allows creditors to r...

Credit and Consumer Rights
Know Your Consumer Rights A good credit rating is very important. Businesses inspect your credit history when they evaluate your applications for a credit card, insurance, employment, and ...

What is a Credit Report?
You’ve heard other people talk about it, and you know it is important. But, what is a credit report? Put simply, your credit report is what lenders look at when deciding whether or n...

Credit Reporting Q&A
If you've ever applied for a credit card, charge account, a personal loan, insurance, or a job, there's a file about you. What’s in this file? This file is called a credit report, and it has...

What is a Credit Score and How Does it Affect Me?
What is a Credit Score? You’ve heard of a credit report, but you don’t understand what a credit score is. Furthermore, you’re unsure as to how this affects you when applying for ...

Reviewing Your Credit Report Yearly
It is critical that you periodically review your credit report for inaccuracies or omissions, especially if you're considering making a major purchase, such as buying a home. Checkin...

Protecting Your Credit Cards
When most people think of protecting their credit cards, they are thinking about protecting their credit or credit ranking, not the actual credit card. As a responsible credit card u...

Do's and Don'ts When Closing Old Accounts
It is always important to not have more credit card accounts than you can handle. When you do open a new account because of a better interest rate, a promotional offer or for whateve...

Limiting Your Financial Loss
When a credit card goes missing, the first thing you think of is: How can I limit my financial losses? Luckily, there are several ways you can protect yourself, your financial histor...

What to Do When Credit Cards Are Lost or Stolen
Credit cards, ATM cards, and debit cards provide a high level of convenience for people, but if they are lost or stolen, the effects can be drastic. If you experience a loss or theft...

Privacy Options -- How to Opt Out
Credit cards, ATM cards, and debit cards provide a high level of convenience for people, but if they are lost or stolen, the effects can be drastic. If you experience a loss or theft...

Credit Card Phishing -- What it Means and How to Prevent It
Phishing (the attempt to obtain an individual's credit card and other personal information for fraudulent use) has become a part of the American lexicon in recent years, and it doesn't invol...

Skimming -- What it is and How to Avoid Being a Victim
Skimming is not exactly a new phenomenon, but it continues to make the news in many regions around the country. What it involves is a small bit of elicit technology and some criminal intent ...

Online Account Management
So, you have a new credit card or maybe an old favorite that you have managed the old fashioned way (by reviewing paper billing statements sending payments back through the mail). The intern...

Cardmember Benefits -- Visa Warranty Manager
Many of the major brands of credit card, like Visa, provide cardmembers with ancillary benefits. One often misunderstood benefit deals with extended warranty protection. But what does this s...

How to Opt Out of Mail, Email and Telemarketing Solicitations
Many people are frustrated by the amount of junk mail they receive each year (the national average is over 50 pieces of mail from credit card companies alone). And, telemarketing soliciting ...

Credit Card Warning Signs - How to Tell You're Headed for Trouble
Credit cards can add flexibility to budgets and give us the freedom to do anything from rent a car to make a large purchase. Used properly, they are a fantastic resource. But they can turn o...

How Many Credit Cards Should You Have?
Is there a rule about the number of credit cards that you should have to keep your credit score as high as possible? Should you think twice about signing up for new cards? Say you have tw...

Cards by Category