




STEPS TO APPLY FOR A SECURED CREDIT CARD
A credit card is a small plastic card with a unique number and the name of the card holder written on the front side of it. The date of issue and expiry is also printed on the front side. On the back side there is a space where the card holder has to sign and the CVV number is printed right next to it. A credit card may be provided by credit unions or banks. A credit card is mostly used to make purchases and pay for them in instalments.
The credit card holder can purchase services or goods of his choice and once the purchase is done the credit card holder has to sign on a receipt that is generated by the “Point of Sale” terminal. The receipt will have the amount paid and the details of the credit card.
When the card is swiped on the credit card terminal, the credit card details will be sent to the issuer so that they can be verified and also check whether there is sufficient amount of funds available in the account to pay for the purchased goods.
Some businesses also accept cardholder or card not present transactions. These transactions will be completed through the internet or over the phone.
The primary difference between a charge card and a credit card is that with a charge card the holder has to pay the entire amount due at the end of the month and cannot carry forward any balance, whereas with the credit card the holder can pay a part of the entire amount and carry forward the rest; of course an interest will be charged on the amount that is carried forward.
The credit card holders will get a monthly statement that has the transactions and the total amount due. It will also state the minimum amount due this month. A credit card that is secured with a deposit is called as a “secured credit card”.
Usually, the deposit varies from 100% - 200% of the credit limit of the “secured credit card”. This implies that if one pays a security deposit of $1000, he or she will get a credit limit any where between $500 and $1000.
In case of divorces or bankruptcies, this type of credit card offers the credit card holder a great way to repair his or her credit report. When a person applies for any form of credit, the creditor will look at 3 major things: how much debt the person already has the manner in which he is paying it back and how long has the account been active.
Most individuals frequently use their secured credit card and also carry forward their credit balances for a month or two to prove that they can repay their debts on time and this will re – establish their credit report.
This will cause more harm to their credit report than good. Secured credit card holders are advised not to use their secured credit card regularly.