Credit Card Help

Credit card video: Cutting up your card the right way -- CreditCards.com's Cynthia Drake shows you the right way to cut up a credit card in order to avoid any possible identity theft. There's more to it than you might think. ... (more)

Help with credit card debt -- Whether you're trying to dig out from under debt or just avoid it in the first place, our Credit Card Help section can help you make better decisions. ... (more)

5 simple rules to prevent credit card debt -- The CEO of the nonprofit Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Florida has some simple rules to help credit card users stay out of debt. ... (more)

4 wrong ways to escape credit card debt -- If you have substantial credit card debt, you may feel trapped. Escaping debt is a must, but there are both right and wrong ways to go about it. We look at four common but ill-advised "solutions" for credit card debt. ... (more)

11 tips for dealing with debt collection, collectors -- Deal with it, experts say. Otherwise, matters can only get worse. CreditCards.com has compiled tips to make this process easier. ... (more)

Debt collection sample letters -- Debt collectors are limited in what they can do and say by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Often, people in debt can restrict how and when debt collectors can contact them, but to be heard, debtors should assert their rights in writing. ... (more)

Cut your credit card debt using micropayments -- Big credit card bill too much to handle? Try multiple monthly payments. It can whittle debt faster and align billing with paycheck. ... (more)

8 steps to reducing credit card debt -- This structured, disciplined plan will help you bat down credit card debt and regain financial control. ... (more)

Credit card debt negotiation in 3 (not) easy steps -- You can still dicker over your credit card debt and work out better terms, but expect a marathon, not a sprint. ... (more)

Know your rights: Fair Debt Collection Practices Act -- Experts say consumers should face the facts and deal with debt collectors, but also know and understand their consumer rights and protections. ... (more)

Debt collectors' ethics codes -- Associations of debt collectors try to curb abuses in the collections industry. ... (more)

Dividing credit card debt in divorce -- You can still dicker over your credit card debt and work out better terms, but expect a marathon, not a sprint. ... (more)

8 myths about settling credit card debt -- Before you decide to try debt settlement, make sure you know the difference between common myths -- and the truth. ... (more)

How to cancel a credit card -- Anyone can take scissors to a credit card, but it takes skill to cancel a card without nicking your credit score. ... (more)

14 key considerations for when filing bankruptcy -- No one intends to go bankrupt. But if it happens to you, there are ways to handle the money issues smartly. ... (more)

9 things you must know about debt consolidation -- Debt consolidation programs, called debt management plans, can help you get back on track, but they can also be unnecessary and even detrimental when done poorly or for the wrong reasons. Here's what you need to know. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: Credit reports and credit scores -- All you need to know about credit reports and credit scores, including a look at FICO scores and credit histories and why they matter. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: How to dispute credit report errors -- Improve your credit score by removing credit report errors. Includes sample letter for disputing an error, and how to contact the three main credit bureaus -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 9 tips for protecting your credit cards, credit score -- 9 tips for protecting not only your credit cards, but your credit score, too. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 8 steps to picking a credit counselor -- Credit counseling agencies can help you get out of debt. Learn how to select the right one for your debt issues. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: Free credit reports: How to get the actual free one -- The federal government has mandated the three major credit bureaus give free credit reports to consumers at least once per bureau per year. Here's how to get yours. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: How to add a written statement to your credit report -- Your credit report is usually the final word when it comes to lending, but the rules let you make 100 of those words your own. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 8 legitimate ways to improve your credit score now -- There are no instant miracles that improve a flagging credit score, but there are quick and legal ways to improve it. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 10 ways students can build good credit -- A good credit score is more important than ever, and experts say following these 10 steps can put a student on the right credit path. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: Why women need their own credit -- When you get married and vow to love 'for richer or for poorer,' it doesn't mean relinquishing your financial independence. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: Don't say 'I do' to bad credit -- With financial mismanagement topping the list of reasons why couples seek divorces, experts say it makes sense to check out your partner’s creditworthiness. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: FICO 08: How new credit score formula will affect you -- When you get married and vow to love 'for richer or for poorer,' it doesn't mean relinquishing your financial independence. ... (more)

Think you're a credit expert? Take our quizzes and prove it! -- Are you a credit expert? Or maybe you don't know an APR from NPR or CPR. Whichever side you fall on -- or if you're somewhere in the middle -- you can test your knowledge of credit in our quizzes ... (more)

Credit card help -- We're featuring highlights from our new section, called Credit Card Help: The Basic Fundamentals of Credit Cards. Our goal is to give you all the information you need to become a smart credit cardholder. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: Before picking a credit card, know your credit card personality -- With the dizzying variety of credit cards today, it can be tough to choose. Knowing your credit card personality can help sort it out. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: Comparing the various types of credit cards and their features -- Overview of card features offered by cards, including standard, reward, frequent flier, student, business and cards for bad credit. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 10 things you must know about credit reports and credit scores -- You may have heard the terms credit history and credit score. But what exactly is a credit history, what is a credit score -- and why are they so important? ... (more)

Credit Card Help: The basic fundamentals of credit cards -- We'll help you be a smarter credit cardholder. Our new Credit Card Help section features credit card tips, credit card videos, credit card quizzes and much more. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: Picking the right credit card -- All that you need to know to pick the right credit card for you, with information on balance transfers, prepaid cards, rewards cards and more. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 8 things you must know about credit card debt -- Credit card debt is not inevitable. Here are some basic credit guidelines to help keep you out of debt. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 7 things you must know about credit cards -- Forge a positive and fruitful relationship with credit cards by learning the basics before you apply for an account. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 9 things you should know about balance transfers -- If you’ve racked up debt on a high-interest credit card, transferring the balance to a card with a lower interest may sound like an enticing way to save cash—but it’s not quite as simple as it sounds. Here, get the scoop on what you really need know about balance transfers before you make the big switch. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 10 things you should know about identity theft -- Identity theft is often in the news, but there are a lot of misconceptions swirling around about how to best protect yourself. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 7 ways to get the most from rewards credit cards -- With virtually all credit card issuers offering rewards, the issue is not whether you should get a rewards card, but what type of rewards card is best for you. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 9 things you need to know about prepaid cards -- Thinking about picking up a reloadable prepaid card? Here’s what you should know first. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 10 worst credit card mistakes -- Making these 10 mistakes will turn good credit into bad and bad credit into lenders-won't-go-near-you credit. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: Your credit card personality: The Diva / Big spender -- You work hard. You play hard. You like the best of everything. After a tough day at work, you'll tell yourself you deserve a treat, whether it's a new pair of shoes or the latest gadget on the shelf. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: Your credit card personality: The Futurist -- You're willing to sacrifice short-term pleasure for long-term gain. You've got your finances under control, you don't often feel the need to splurge, and you like to think carefully about the best way to spend your money. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: Your credit card personality: The Newbie -- You're finally out on your own -- so now what? You're inexperienced with credit and while you're ready to test the waters, you don't want to get in over your head. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: Your credit card personality: The Better Man/Better Woman -- Even if you don't always make perfect decisions, you're a quick learner. You've gotten in credit trouble in the past, but you've turned over a new leaf. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: Your credit card personality: The Veteran -- You're responsible, organized and rarely get in over your head, financially or otherwise. You know your way around a budget, you've got good credit and you pay your bills on time and in full. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: Your credit card personality: The Avoider -- The less you know about your finances, the better. You get uncomfortable talking or even thinking about money. You let your bills stack up because you feel a sense of dread opening them up. ... (more)

Credit report sample: Learn to read, understand your credit report -- This interactive guide displays an example of a personal credit report and explains how each part works. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: How different are Visa, American Express, MasterCard and Discover really? -- You can group the four most widely used cards in pairs with Visa and MasterCard using one system of transaction and American Express and Discover another. Here's a summary of how each pair of cards operates, their histories and other distinctive points. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 7 things to know about business credit cards -- Ready to take your business to the next level? Here's everything you need to know about business credit cards. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: What the new credit card law means for you -- The Credit CARD Act of 2009 includes the most sweeping changes in credit card laws in decades. The majority of consumer protections kick in Feb. 22, 2010. Here's how its provisions will affect you. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 6 things to consider before choosing a credit card -- When picking a card, the No. 1 tip is to know yourself and how you will use the card. ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 8 tips to keep credit card rates and fees low -- As the cost of credit creeps ever higher, micro-managing your finances is assuming greater importance. Here are 8 tips to help you keep your interest rates and fees low. ... (more)