credit report - Secured Credit Cards - What to Look For

You've seen the ads: Bad credit? No problem! They promise you a credit card regardless of your credit history or job status. A secured credit card can be a great way to rebuild your credit after something like bankruptcy or divorce has wreaked havoc with your credit rating. However, there are some scams out there promising a credit card for people with bad credit. What is a secured credit card? The difference between a secured and an unsecured credit card lies in where the money comes from when you make purchases. With an unsecured credit card, the standard card issued by most lenders, you are borrowing money to pay for your purchase and then paying it back with interest via credit card bills. A secured card requires that you make a deposit into an account before making any purchases. What you buy is paid for by the money you deposit in the account. Therefore, your credit limit is determined by how much cash you put up front. Opening an account for a secured credit card could require hundreds, or even thousands of dollars. This up-front cost makes it difficult to understand the appeal of this credit card for people with bad credit. In addition, you may pay application or set-up fees and be charged a nominal fee when you make additional future deposits. These fees show up on your credit card bills. How to spot a scam The ads that promise you a credit card regardless of your credit history may be legitimate promotions for a secured credit card. Unfortunately, some people try to lure you into calling a number that isn't toll-free, a 900 number that you will be billed for later. They may also lead you to believe that you can get the card as soon as you call the listed number. There is no mention of set-up fees, initial deposit amounts, eligibility requirements, or credit card bills that are weighted down with annual fees and interest. Warning signs Remember that someone offering you easy credit with no requirements is probably not telling you the whole truth. Any lender will check your credit report before offering you a line of credit, especially when providing a credit card for people with bad credit. Also beware of calling 900 numbers that could charge you up to $50 for a few minutes. Services may also offer to clean up your credit history for a price. These services are doing what you can do yourself for free. Beware of anyone trying to make money off of your already high debt. With time, good payment history, and the aid of a secured credit card, you can clean up your credit and start a new financial trend on your own. What to look for in a lender When applying for a secured or unsecured credit card, be sure to check the lender out. They should report to a valid credit bureau. Information about the major credit bureaus can be obtained from the Federal Trade Commission. Jane West is an editor and webmaster of http://www.findbestcreditcard.com. An online source to help people research the best option for their credit needs. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_West credit report - Improving a Bad Credit - How to Repair a Bad Credit A bad credit is a problem that a person must face. Although improving a bad credit will not happen overnight, it is not the end of the world and there are things you can do to repair a bad credit and re-establish your credit worthiness. You need to repair a bad credit to overcome the negative effects it brings into your life. A bad credit is a very stressful situation and has negative effects to your purchasing power and will prevent you from getting loans in the future. It could get you into difficult situations; you will also be the target of high interest rates and unbearable repayment and loan terms of financial institutions. Improving a bad credit means you need to take action to restore your financial status. Here are some tips on improving a bad credit. Ask a copy of your credit report from a credit bureau. Knowing your credit status will help you take the necessary action in improving a bad credit. Once you have the report, inspect it thoroughly for errors. If there are errors, contact the creditors who reported the error. Creditors will contact the bureau on your behalf to make the necessary corrections. Pay your bills on time. Start paying those outstanding debts that you can afford to pay and gradually clear your debts. You may start from debts with higher interest rates to avoid adding up more interests. In improving a bad credit you may liquidate assets to pay your debts. Contact creditors. If you find yourself in a bad situation and unable to pay even the minimum payment on your outstanding accounts, a communication with your creditor for the purpose of improving a bad credit may help you settle your problem. Creditors will appreciate your willingness to pay and may help set up a repayment plans suitable for your situation. As much as possible avoid debt consolidation. There is no quick solution to your bad credit and getting third party means paying additional fees for their services that will only add up to your bills. Contacting creditors and credit bureaus on your own to consolidate your debts and make the necessary budgeting will help you in improving a bad credit and recover from your bad situation without paying additional fees. Rethink about your spending habits. One way in improving a bad credit situation is to change your attitude towards money. Buy only necessities and use the rest of your income to pay your debts. Apply for a loans or credit card to help you re-establish your credit. If you don't qualify for a regular credit card, apply for a secured credit card. Make payments on time, use the card responsibly and keep a sufficient amount of money to cover all your charges. This will help you in improving a bad credit and rebuild a good credit history. Did you know that there are many other options for people with bad credit? It is possible to receive a vehicle or home with NO money down and NO credit check guaranteed! You can also find many government resources to help you get that loan you deserve!