Help With Credit Card Applications Tips
Read these 8 Help With Credit Card Applications Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Credit-Cards tips and hundreds of other topics.
Gather personal information before filling out a credit card application
You can save a lot of time filling out your credit card application if you gather your relevant personal information together before you start. For most credit card applications, you will need:
-current address
-past address if current address is less than 2 years
-social security number
-personal and family references
-email address
-home, work and cell phone numbers
-bank information
-all credit history information including bankruptcies, discharges, collections, etc.
Keep this information together in a secure place to save time and hassle.
Request additional cards with your credit card application
When you are filling out your credit card application, request additional credit cards to be sent to you. These cards can be given to your kids for emergency purposes or to a spouse who doesn't qualify for an individual credit card. The person you give the extra credit card to won't have access to your account details, but their credit card activity will affect your credit rating so use caution. Even if you don't have someone you'd like to give your extra credit card to, you still can benefit from an extra card if your card gets lost or demagnetized.
Work swiftly to avoid having your credit card application time out
When you sit down to your computer to fill out a credit card application, make sure you are able to complete the application swiftly. Online credit application sites have a built in security feature that causes your credit card application session to log you out automatically if you've been inactive for a period of time. This helps protect you against information theft. To further protect yourself, make sure that you never leave a computer where your personal credit card application information is on the screen.
Everyone needs help with credit card applications online. In order to prevent the loss of information being provided over the Internet by filling in an online credit card application, the applicant must complete it in a timely manner. If not, the credit card application has a built in security feature that will automatically time out the application due to inactivity. This is a protective measure that will prevent others from seeing the information typed into the application sitting on the computer. It also protects the applicant from others accessing the information via spy ware applications and other such hacker programs. Therefore, once an applicant sits down to fill in the online application they need to complete it in a timely manner and submit it as quickly as possible to prevent the credit card application from timing out. Also, a person should never walk away from their computer and leave their personal information on the screen because it leaves them to be very vulnerable in the event someone gets it.
Make sure your credit card application is secure
When filling out a credit card application online, look for a padlock icon on the application page or in the address line. This will let you know that the site is secure. If you click on the icon, you should be given security information about the site including the status of the security certificate. Because the personal information you enter into your online credit card application is sensitive, it's worth it to make sure that it will be safe from hackers.
Joint credit cards for spouses
Consider filling out a joint credit card application with your spouse. A joint credit card can make family finances easier to manage because each partner has equal access to the money and knows where it is all being spent. This can also be a great way for a partner with less than perfect credit to qualify for a little more. If you are filling out a credit card application for a joint credit card account, you will need your partner's information as well as your own.
Limit the number of credit card applications you fill out at a time
Only fill out a few credit card applications at a time to prevent a drop in your credit score. If a lot of credit card companies are checking your credit rating at the same time, it negatively affects your credit score. Lenders get nervous about you if it looks like you are desperate for credit or you are reckless in your credit card habits. If possible, wait six months or more between credit card applications to protect your credit score.
Credit card account insurance
Whan you are filling out your credit card application, consider signing up for credit card account insurance. By paying a small monthly fee, your credit rating will be protected in case of layoff or sudden disability. You never know when a life-changing event will make it difficult for you to pay your credit card bill. By signing up for credit card account insurance with your credit card application, you can ensure that your credit card bills will be covered in case of emergency. If at any time you decide you no longer want the insurance, you can cancel the service.
The fine print is a big deal
It may sound cliche, but be sure to read the fine print when filling out credit card applications. The fine print is where you will find all information about extra fees, interest rate hikes, and how your account works in general. The fine print is usually titled "Credit Card Disclosures," "Terms & Conditions," or "Disclosure Statements." It may be an eyestrain now, but reading through the fine print now can save you a headache later when mysterious fees start showing up on your statement.
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