Showing posts with label debit cards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label debit cards. Show all posts

2007/08/25

Good Reasons To Use Bad Credit Credit Cards

It won't be long until the United States at long last progresses to a cashless system of purchases. Every year online buying and new payment methods are becoming a part of the American way of life. Even now it is possible to pay almost any bill online or even set up automatic payments where the account holder need not even raise a finger. While obviously this isn't yet foolproof, the convenience often outweighs any dangers that are present. The question becomes, how can a person with bad credit be apart of these new systems?

Credit cards with low APR are for the most part unavailable to consumers that have bad credit. With the nation as a whole moving into an area of poor credit however, more financial institutions are making products available for this growing market. Credit cards for bad credit are becoming more common, and the availability is quickly spreading.

These bad credit credit cards can be a decisive advantage to consumers with a poor credit history, but if managed badly can do more harm than good. While some people have bad credit as a result of unemployment or illness, most consumers simply manage their finances badly. Bad credit cards handled poorly will keep a credit rating low, or make it worse.

Bad credit cards can be used in the following ways to increase a consumer's credit rating:

Monthly Use – Make at least one purchase each month on the credit card, and pay the balance off entirely. This offers a consistent flow of credit reporting on your account. This consistency is what creditors are looking for in a good customer.

Keep a small balance – Although any financial expert worth talking too will say to pay off your credit card balances as fast as possible, there can be a benefit from carrying one. Credit companies like customers to carry a balance for obvious reasons, so they may increase your balance because of this. DO NOT carry a balance that will cause you to get behind in payments due to high APR.

Charge less than half your available credit – The more debt incurred on credit cards, the less credit worthy you are. A safe point is less than half of your available credit limit across all open credit accounts.

It has become common for creditors to sell customer accounts to other credit companies as credit worthiness changes. This may have already happened to you and you were simply unaware of why. In 2005 Providian sold off much of it's customer base to Washington Mutual. As a customer becomes more credit worthy, they become more valuable to many creditors. To make a profit, some bad credit credit companies will help customers build their credit up, and then sell them to another company. This can be a good thing for the consumer as well, as their new account will probably have better APR.

It is possible to have credit that is so bad that even companies that specialize in bad credit credit cards won't issue you a card. Once this point is reached, possibly through bankruptcy, debit cards and prepaid credit cards become the only options left. Debit cards work the same as credit cards when making a purchase for the most part, and they can't get you into any further credit problems. Prepaid cards work exactly like a credit card, however money must be deposited into the prepaid credit card account before they can be used.

With all of these options open to consumers, there something out there that will allow everyone to take part in the modern economy. With careful effort over time, even the worst credit history can be repaired.

It won't be long until the United States at long last progresses to a cashless system of purchases. Every year online buying and new payment methods are becoming a part of the American way of life. Even now it is possible to pay almost any bill online or even set up automatic payments where the account holder need not even raise a finger. While obviously this isn't yet foolproof, the convenience often outweighs any dangers that are present. The question becomes, how can a per...

Jon Norwood is a managing partner of Bad Credit Advisor, a site providing information on bad credit credit cards, prepaid debit cards, and articles on how to repair your credit history.

Article Source: http://www.eArticlesOnline.com

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2007/08/03

A Brief Look At MasterCards


By: Angelknight

MasterCards are plastic money which is widely used and accepted all over the world. They are accepted at most of the large hotels, restaurants and shops. MasterCards are available through many banks and credit organizations.

MasterCard International, a payments company and one of the world's most recognized brands, also a global operation with offices in twenty countries and headquarters in New York City, is comprised of more than 22,000 member financial institutions worldwide, including Wells Fargo Bank. MasterCard has nearly 370 million credit and debit cards that are accepted at more than 13 million locations worldwide.

MasterCard offers a large selection of different cards to choose from, like gift cards, prepaid cards, business cards, debit cards and of course, traditional credit cards. MasterCard customers have numerous rewards available to them through partnerships MasterCard has established. Also, throughout the year, MasterCard runs many different contests and promotions in which cardholders are entered to win trips, prizes and shopping sprees anytime they use their card.

MasterCard claims it is “known globally for having among the highest standards of professional integrity and ethics in the business community”. These are universal standards, it says, applicable to all MasterCard employees globally. In practice, all MasterCard employees must never make misrepresentations or dishonest statements or statements intended to mislead or misinform. They can “stress in a fair and accurate manner the advantages of MasterCard’s products and services”.

MasterCard is the "official card" of the PGA TOUR and Senior PGA TOUR, making it the preferred method of payment at PGA TOUR shops, Tournament Players Clubs and other locations. MasterCard also sponsors some of the biggest events in golf, including the MasterCard Championship and the MasterCard Colonial.

MasterCard remains focused on helping shape the future of money by expanding acceptance of its global brands MasterCard, Maestro and Cirrus, the world's largest ATM network, and maintaining reliable, secure networks facilitating global value exchange. It's no wonder that MasterCard offers are always improving, aimed at enhancing the financial lives of MasterCard users.

Do you need a business MasterCard or a Platinum version with a multitude of consumer rewards? Before applying for the right MasterCard, check out which credit card offer will best suit you. There are many factors involved in selecting a credit card, and MasterCard credit cards give you lots to choose from so you know you are getting exactly what you want. Find the best MasterCard offers for your home or business life today.

MasterCard users can sign up for a SecureCode, a tool designed to safeguard your account while you're shopping online. In fact, many of MasterCard's innovations in card security, like holograms and a tamper-evident signature panel have been adopted as industry standards. Additionally, you're not held liable for any purchases made while your card is lost or stolen.

To expand its international presence, MasterCard International entered into an alliance with Diners Club International in 2004 that affects card acceptance across North America. Starting April 14, 2005, International Diners Club cards have been processed by Global Payments using the MasterCard network when the cards are used within Canada and the United States. As a result, these transactions will authorize and settle as MasterCard and MasterCard rates will apply. This was another outstanding acquisition for MasterCard and its customers.

Which MasterCards will provide you with the most savings and the top rewards? Well, that is hard to say, but it stands to reason, if you compare MasterCards at your earliest convenience, you will be sure to find one that satisfies your needs.

Article Source: http://www.kokkada.com

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