Have you received credit card offers in the mail? If so, you might have wondered which cards really offered good deals. Credit cards can be helpful budgeting tools, or sinkholes of debt. The difference is in the details: some cards have high rates and fees that make it difficult to keep your debt in check. Take a moment to compare credit cards before you decide to carry one in your wallet.
Credit card offers list the terms and conditions of various cards. When you compare credit cards, look at the interest rate, also known as the APR. It might be listed as 0%. If so, you can bet that it will be much higher in six months to a year. 0% interest cards have introductory phases. After that phase has ended, they are subject to regular interest rates. Most cards offer 12-24% interest rates. The lower the rate, the faster you'll be able to pay off your debt.
Also make note of the type of interest rates on your credit card offers. Some rates might be “fixed”, and some might be “variable”. Choose fixed-rate interest whenever possible. Variable interest rates can change with little warning from the card issuer. If you do choose a credit card with a variable interest rate, make sure you know when and how much that rate can change.
When you compare credit cards, you'll notice that some of them come with quite a lot of fees. There can be application fees, processing fees, annual fees, late fees, and fees for going over your credit limit. Fees can also apply when you close your account or make a balance transfer to another card. The credit card industry is competitive, so don't waste your time on credit card offers that indicate exorbitant fees.
Your next step when you compare credit cards is to look at the credit limit each one is willing to give you. Some might offer low limits, while others might offer you thousands of dollars. Higher credit limits can improve your credit score, but they can also tempt you to spend money on things you can't really afford.
Always check the small print on credit card offers. Companies should tell you their policies regarding interest-free grace periods, late payments, and how you will be informed if changes are made to the terms of your contract. If you have questions about specific policies, call the card's customer service division and ask to speak with a representative. Most card companies are only required to give 14 days' written notice when making changes to your account. There is pending legislation that seeks to compel card issuers to give more notice before such changes are made.
Don't just accept the first credit card offers that come along. Take the time to compare credit cards. They can be great for building up your credit, but they can also leave you with a heap of debt if you don't use them wisely. Look for good deals with low fees and interest rates. The research you do in the beginning can save you a lot of financial heartache down the road.
Instant Credit Card Offers
Are you getting sick and tired of all the credit card offers that magically appear in your mailbox? Well, you aren't the only one. Part of the reason why you are receiving so many of late is because the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) was changed about 10 years ago to allow major credit bureaus to sell your credit information to credit card companies.
Luckily for U.S. citizens, this Act also states that people have the right to remove themselves from these credit card offer lists. This article will detail some of the ways you can avoid getting those credit card offers.
Credit Card Offers: Opt Out By Mail
The longest and most time consuming of the options, but it also does seem to be the most effective. You can mail a letter to each of the (listed below) credit bureaus, requesting that your name not be included on their credit card offers list(s). Make sure to give them your name, phone number, full address, and Social Security Number to each and every place. Also, if you've moved recently, you'll want to provide updated information for the past two years.
Equifax (http://www.equifax.com/)
Equifax Options
PO BOX 790123
Atlanta, GA 30374-0123
TransUnion (http://www.transunion.com/)
TransUnion LLC's Name Removal Option
PO Box 97328
Jackson, MS 39288-7328
Experian (http://www.experian.com/)
Consumer "OPT-OUT"
901 West Bond
Lincoln, NE 68521
Innovis (http://www.innovis.com/)
Innovis is the new guy on the block when it comes to receiving credit card offers. They started business in 2001, providing credit agencies with marketing information on potential, new clients. One of their features is called FailSafe, which is a list of people who may pose a credit risk, and therefore should be removed from the credit card offers list. Another is called New Movers, which is exactly as it sounds: a monthly list of people who have just moved.
Credit Card Offers: Opt Out By Mail
There is an easier way, although there is a bit of controversy surrounding this company. 1-888-5-OPTOUT is a number run jointly by all four of the credit bureaus listed above. By calling it, you can ask to no longer receive any credit card offers in the mail.
First of all, call the number. Then, select option 2 to stop all credit card offers being sent to your home. Finally, follow the prompts to provide all of the same contact information as before (phone, name, full address and Social Security Number).
Supposedly, just five days after you have made this simple call, you will be mailed a ?Notice of Election? form. However, there is a bit of controversy regarding this option. It seems that a large scale bogus email was sent out in July of 2004, stating that this same legislation allows for ANYONE to access your credit information.
The FTC, however, has stated publicly that this is just not true. They say that the legislation in question only gives financial institutions a deadline to let you know about their privacy policies, and some way of opting out of the sharing of private information. In reality, consumers can opt-out of any of these types of information gathering processes by contacting the number listed above; July 1 is not a deadline. And finally, not ANYONE can gain access to your credit information; it has to be for a certain list of reasons, such as an application for credit, insurance, employment or rental.
Both Janna Weiss & Peter Lenkefi are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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