Three Ways Credit Card Companies Can Trick You

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Three Ways Credit Card Companies Can Trick You

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July 09, 2012

When the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was put into place, credit card holders were supposed to benefit from the new regulation. Consumers would receive new notifications for rate fee increases, statements would inform consumers on how long it would take to pay off balances, and credit issuers were required to mail bills at least 21 days before the due date. Now that some time has passed since the Dodd-Frank Act, consumers are still struggling with all time high levels of credit card debt and the fine print coming from credit card companies are smaller than ever. Here are three things you should keep an eye on so you don't get stung by the credit card companies.

  • Late Fees- Late fees are a big source of ways that credit card companies earn money. Since many of us pay our bills through automatic payment, you should make sure you pay your credit card bill a few days before the actual due date. Some credit card companies will give their customers several weeks to pay their bill before late fees or finance charges will be incurred. However, some credit card companies will begin charging late fees and finance charges literally the next day after the due date. You need to read the fine print on your credit card statements and fulfillments you get from your credit card company because they may change their policies and actually move the dates around.
  • 0% Introductory Annual Percentage Rate - We see on television and on the internet advertisements that entice us to start a new credit card with a 0% introductory rate. There are also mailers we get that will allow us to transfer our balances over to a new credit card with a 0% interest rate on the balance transfer. If you are going to do a balance transfer to a 0% card, be sure you closely read the fine print on what happens with new purchases or cash advances. Often, the card issuers that give you this 0% rate will charge the maximum possible interest rate on new purchases or new cash advances. It is very important that you decide in advance whether you will need the card you transfer the balance to for floating new credit. If you take a new credit card with an introductory 0% rate, then be sure to read the fine print on how long the rate will last and what types of purchases it covers.
  • Inactivity or Annual Fees - Since credit is at a premium today, you need to manage your credit cards more closely than ever. If you are inactive with the credit cards that you have, it is likely today that the credit card companies will shrink your overall credit limit. Some of the credit card companies will get sneaky can actually charge you an inactivity fee if you are not careful or do not spend a certain amount on the card. This is true with many new offers put out to consumers today. In addition, you should be clear when you sign up what the annual fees will be. Some cards offer more rewards, benefits, and features that will make the annual fee worthwhile. However, some cards will charge excessive fees without any real particular benefit.

Credit card companies are business. We all know this. Yet, it is only when we open our statements to see extra charges and fees that we get into a fit of rage with a customer service person that really is less than interested in our diatribe on the phone. Make sure you limit the number of credit cards you have in your wallet and read each piece of new mail you get from your credit card company as they send them to share important information with you. Don't get caught with your credit card company sneaking into your wallet!

Written by:

Ted Jenkin, CFP®, AAMS®, AWMA®, CRPC®, CMFC®, CRPS®

Co-CEO and Founder of oXYGen Financial, Inc - The Leaders in Gen X & Y Financial Advice and Services

Visit to www.oxygenfinancial.net to request a free consultation with the leading financial experts for people in their 20's, 30's, and 40's in the country.

Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through NFP Advisor Services, LLC (NFPAS), Member FINRA/SIPC. Oxygen Financial is not affiliated with NFPAS. NFPAS does not provide tax or legal advice. This site is published for residents of the United States only. Registered Representatives and Investment Advisor Representatives of NFP Advisor Services, LLC (NFPAS) may only conduct business with residents of the states and jurisdictions in which they are properly registered. Therefore, a response to a request for information may be delayed. Not all products and services referenced on this site are available in every state and through every representative or advisor listed. For additional information, please contact NFPAS Compliance Department at 512-697-6000. PLEASE NOTE: The information being provided is strictly as a courtesy. When you link to any of the web sites provided here, you are leaving this web site. NFP Advisor Services, LLC makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these web sites. Nor is NFP Advisor Services, LLC liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or any consequences arising out of your access to or your use of third-party technologies, web sites, information and programs made available through this web site. When you access one of these web sites, you are leaving our web site and assume total responsibility and risk for your use of the web sites you are linking to.

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Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. oXYGen Financial is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. Kestra IS and Kestra AS do not provide tax or legal advice. https://Bit.ly/KF-Disclosures

This site is published for residents of the United States only. Registered Representatives of Kestra IS and Investment Advisor Representatives of Kestra AS may only conduct business with residents of the states and jurisdictions in which they are properly registered. Therefore, a response to a request for information may be delayed. Not all products and services referenced on this site are available in every state and through every representative or advisor listed. For additional information, please contact Kestra IS Compliance Department at 844-553-7872.

PLEASE NOTE: The information being provided is strictly as a courtesy. When you link to any of the web sites provided here, you are leaving this web site. Kestra IS and Kestra AS makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these web sites. Nor is Kestra IS and Kestra AS liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or any consequences arising out of your access to or your use of third-party technologies, web sites, information and programs made available through this web site. When you access one of these web sites, you are leaving our web site and assume total responsibility and risk for your use of the web sites you are linking to.