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Scam Credit Card Offers, or How the Scammers Look Like
12:00:00 AM Tuesday, October 30, 2007
There are many ways to get a good credit offer today. Internet made it fast and easy to apply for a credit card just by filling out online credit card application. But what if you hear about even faster way to get a credit card offer? Just dial a toll free number and get a credit card offer of your dream! Consumers beware! It is credit card marketing spam!
Federal Trade Commission has already taken legal actions against the companies advertising fast and easy ways to get credit cards just for dialing a telephone number; but only we- consumers - can really make a difference.
This story happened to my brother John several years ago. He lived credit free for many years and had no credit history. He simply denied credit! But when John was about 30 his life forced him to get his first credit card.
Once he was watching TV ads: Have no credit history? You can get the best credit card offer of your dream fast! Anyone is qualified for secured and unsecured cards! Just call the number on your screen!
John thought he found the best and the fastest way to get a credit card. So he made a call that cost him $45 - as he found out when he got his telephone bill. The lady told him that he was required to pay the application, security deposit and processing fees and asked him to dial another number - at additional charge - to find out more.
This story didn't have a happy end. John spent about $200 and never got a secured credit card by making a phone call. He got his card later, when he filled out an online application and was approved.
If you don't want to be a victim of credit card scammers, there are several things you have to remember about them:
- They always offer you an easy credit and it is guaranteed.
Remember that no one can guarantee you credit! Before you are approved for a credit card, credit card companies examine your credit report. Only an excellent credit report can guarantee you a card.
- They say you will get a card just with one phone call. Only by calling the numbers on your screen you will never get a credit card. The only thing you will do is waste your money on your phone bills and fees. So the best thing is not to call these numbers at all!
- They offer to clean up your credit history with a small remark- you have to pay a fee for a credit repair clinic.
There is no magic ways to repair your credit. Remember that there is only one way to repair your credit history - is to use your credit cards wisely!
If you don't know how to do it, non-profit counseling programs can help you in planning your budget and will make a plan to arrange your payments. These programs are at a low cost or even free.
You can also rebuild your credit history with a secured credit card. But in this case you have to be sure that your credit information is reported to the credit bureaus.
So, if you don't want to be fooled by credit scammers, remember there is no magic in financial questions. It takes time and effort to rebuild your credit history!
Jim H
05:24 AM, November 06, 2007
I think you have to be utterly stupid to reply on this tv ads. It's not surprising that this guy got into trouble. There's so much fraud but you can escape it being reasonable
NEWS about Credit Cards | >> View all News
Card Charges
06:14:29 AM Thursday, October 02, 2008
While a whole range of charges associated with credit card use is not a surprise any more, the way they are sometimes applied may confuse a not too knowledgeable consumer. What hurts most is the consequence which might come up to a damaged budget at best and ruined credit at worst. The fine print is a great source of information on all the charges and terms they are applied under, but one needs to be financially educated to understand a point there.
If you're looking for a proper card offer right now, or you're already holding a plastic, the following information will be of prime importance for you, especially as the recent changes in the market require new and more rational behavior.
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Airline Miles Cards Programs
06:27:48 AM Thursday, September 18, 2008
Is there an airline miles rewards card in your pocket? If yes, what do you expect of it? Some time ago frequent flyer programs and affiliated credit cards widely available online were a real windfall for banks and their customers but now their popularity and profitability seem likely to fall into oblivion. Travelers and business people will probably be affected most. Some have already seen a reduction in the value of miles rewards and greater seat restrictions. What then?
While the reason for the poorer frequent flyer programs stays vague for consumers, it is more than obvious to card companies partnering with airlines. The ever high gas prices, shrinking flights and workforce led to trillions of rewards miles devalued and thousands of customers frustrated.
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Credit Industry Regulations
04:47:12 AM Thursday, September 04, 2008
The proposed in 2007 better disclosure laws for credit card terms were not enough, as was indicated by consumers' comments. This has led to the new and broader regulations proposed by the Federal Reserve in May 2008 which are coming into force, cracking down on the lenders predatory policies of arbitrary interest rates and excessive fees. The American Bankers Association representatives, as well as all major US banks, are growing uneasy about the inevitable revenue drop they'll incur as a result of the stricter legislation. They warn the Fed and scary customers with unintended impact on lending prices, meaning that once they cannot overcharge high-risk customers, they will shift all the costs on customers who can and will pay. They say to apply for credit will become much more expensive and less available.
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