Friday, October 31, 2008

Stolen credit card details getting cheaper

credit card
The once highly exclusive market segment of stolen credit card details, is
today's commodity market segment trading with a virtual asset that has
become so ...
<http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=2084>

Thursday, October 23, 2008

College student credit card debt

Credit card debt doesn’t shy away from anyone who doesn’t want to shy away from it. It treats everyone equally irrespective of whether the person is a seasoned professional or just a college student. So college student credit card debt isn’t uncommon either. Since the credit limit on college student credit cards is much lower, the college student credit card debt cannot rise to the levels it does for other credit cards. However, college student credit card debt is an even bigger menace because a lot of students are already in debt due to the loan they have taken for their education. If they pass out of college with college student credit card debt, they will have to payback not just the loan they taken for studies but also their college student credit card debt.

Since most of the college students are inexperienced in the usage of credit cards, they can easily fall prey to what we call as ‘college student credit card debt’. In fact, college student credit card debt is one reason why the credit card suppliers keep a lower credit limit on college student credit cards. The solution for avoiding college student credit card debt is similar to what it is for avoidance of any type of credit card debt. So, the first thing for avoiding college student credit card debt is to understand the concept that credit card is not free money and that whatever you pay-for using your credit card has to be paid back to the credit card supplier when your credit card bill arrives. So don’t treat credit card separate from hard cash. Avoid overspending e.g. do not buy things just because they are on sale, sales keep coming and going and there are always better offers each time; buy only those things that you really need. A good thing to do is to prepare your monthly budget and follow it religiously. Never budge from your budget. Another very important preventive measure for avoiding college student credit card debt is to avoid going for a second credit card. Some students have a tendency to go for multiple credit cards just because the credit limit on college student credit cards is very low. However, this is a perfect recipe for getting into a college student credit card debt. This is how college student credit card debt builds up. One credit card is more than enough for any student.

College student credit card is really meant to be treated like a training ground for learning more about credit cards. It should not be make an instrument of debt (college student credit card debt).

Credit card debt

‘Credit card debt’ is a much discussed topic in the commercial and social circles. A big section of the population has been bit by this bug called ‘credit card debt’. Can’t blame them much; as such, it’s pretty easy to fall prey to this bug.

The main reason behind so many credit card casualties (rather credit card debt related casualties) is that many people don’t understand the concept of credit cards properly. They treat credit card as free money that is never to be returned. Thus all the discipline, which would otherwise have been exercised with spending hard-earned money, goes for a toss. That means people overspend and get into credit card debt. They keep spending till they reach the credit limit on their credit card. Some people go to the extent of treating that like a game and consider it a defeat (or consider their credit card under utilised) if they don’t hit the credit limit quick enough. These unnecessary spends result in a situation where they are not able to payback their credit card bills and end up paying interest on the amount they owe. This keeps building up their credit card debt and they soon find that the interest component has become a regular feature in their monthly expenses and it is there even if they spend nothing on their credit card. That is credit card debt on the prowl. Soon they find that their current credit card can no longer handle their needs and start looking to get another credit card. With the new power of credit, they let themselves loose again and follow a ‘shop till you drop’ routine. Soon the credit limit of the new credit card is reached too and they again default on payments. This is how credit card debt builds. Soon they learn about credit card debt consolidation and other credit card debt elimination techniques. They are quick to grab such credit card debt reduction techniques, but that’s not because they are serious about reducing their credit card debt but because of the attractive low APR offers. As if it were booty, they again get back to building up their credit card debt. All the while they are spoiling their credit card rating and they soon realise that no one is ready to lend them money because of their credit history. They can only get a secured credit card now (where you first deposit money into your credit account and then only you get the privilege of spending it (50-100% of it) using their credit card. Credit card debt collection agencies, auction of their goods and bankruptcy is the next thing that hits them and their dream run is blown away in a moment.

The moral of the story – “Understand the concept of credit cards and treat credit card debt with all seriousness”.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Credit card defaults up 54% and growing

Over the past 10 years, credit card debt has gone up 75 percent as
Americans' real wages and savings rate have stayed flat. That means
Americans have been spending beyond their means -- and fueling economic
growth with borrowed money. ...
<http://www.americablog.com/2008/10/credit-card-defaults-up-54-and-growing.html>

Monday, October 13, 2008

Look for insurance costs on your credit card bills


You could be paying for insurance you didn't know you had on your credit
card balance. Usually sold by telemarketers, the insurance has a small
monthly fee ...
<http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/516200>

Saturday, October 11, 2008

The Credit Card Crisis


Along with adding climbing rates, inconspicuous charges, and adjusting
credit-card terms, credit card companies like American Express are now
penalizing customers based on where they shop and who holds their mortgage.
...
<http://minnesotaindependent.com/12016/credit-card-users-beware-how-the-crisis-will-affect-you-and-your-bills>

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Credit Card Rewards Programs Research


It is called "Pointing in the Right Direction: Rethinking Credit Card
Payment Rewards in a Challenged Economy." The report explores today's
hurting economy and offers insight into what credit card companies can do
to help customers make ...
<http://www.pcbs.org/research-sheds-light-on-credit-card-rewards-programs/>