Are you paying higher interest on your credit cards than you think?
Many credit card holders sign up for a credit account with an 8.9% interest rate and then later realize that their interest rate has been bumped to 27.4%. Why?
You know that your credit score affects the credit card rates that you qualify for. But, did you know that a little clause in the fine print of the credit card terms and agreements, called the "Universal Default Penalty Clause" may mean that you're already paying a higher interest than when you signed up for the credit card? What does this fine print mean to you?
If your credit score goes down or one of your other credit conditions change, then your interest rate increases significantly. This doesn't mean any new charges you make to this particular credit card account: the higher rate affects the entire balance. Yes, even items you purchased with the understanding that your interest rate would remain the original rate.
Your credit grantors periodically review your credit report. Almost half of all credit card companies take advantage of you when you are perceived as a delinquent or high-risk borrower. The small print in your account information may include the universal default penalty, which allows the credit card company to increase your interest rate if it uncovers any of these six changes in your credit report:
1. You have a late payment on any credit account. The company doesn't care if you've never made a late payment to them.
2. You go over your available credit line on any credit account. Even if you unknowingly charge a small amount over the credit limit, which many credit card issuers let you do; your interest rate can be raised.
3. Your credit score declines. Just one late payment can hurt your credit score. Experian reports that people with no late or missed payments in the last year had an average credit score of 759; consumers with one or more late payments in the past year had an average score of 598.
4. You charge up too much on one account or many credit cards. If you charge up your credit card near the limit, or even charge up some of your credit cards over the preferred proportional amounts owed, you could pay extra for the privilege. The amount owed on a credit line compared to the available credit is termed the proportional amount owed. With a credit card limit of $5,000, the score will be higher if less than $2,500 is owed. Even better is to owe less than one-third of the available credit or less than $1501. Owing less than ten percent of the available balance gives you the best possible rating. On the other hand, owing over $4,500 on an account with a limit of $5,000 lowers your score considerably, especially if you have too many credit cards and other loans with high balances compared to available balances.
5. Your charge activities indicate a high debt-to-income ratio. If your credit card issuer sees that you've made many new charges and believes that you're getting in over your head, they may raise your interest rate. Even if this is a temporary situation, like many new home owners who make many purchases in a single month, the companies take advantage of the unsuspecting credit card holder.
6. You open new accounts. Opening new credit lines, especially consumer finance accounts, lowers your credit score and adds notations like "Too many consumer accounts" to your credit report. Once again, your credit card company may take advantage of this to raise your interest rate.
Credit cards that start with a low interest rate can jump to interest rates as high as 29.99%, if they find any of these new conditions listed on your credit report.
Check your credit card statements closely; look to see if your credit card grantor raised your interest rates. If you find that you're paying more than you thought, call your credit card company and ask the reason. Once you determine the cause, you can work on your credit issue. After you've fixed the problem, call back and ask for a reduction in your interest rate.
Copyright (c) 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher All Rights Reserved.
Jeanette Fisher teaches real estate investing and interior design college courses. She became a credit expert to help her students buy their dream home and multiple investment properties. Jeanette is the author of "Credit Help! Get the Credit You Need to Buy Real Estate" and other books. For more information on building and maintaining a strong credit score, explore the Real Estate Credit Help Center http://www.recredithelp.com
Credit questions? Ask Jeanette: http://recredithelp.blogspot.com/
MORE RESOURCES:
 China Daily | US August consumer credit falls by $7.88 billion, first decline in ... Forbes, NY - WASHINGTON (Thomson Financial) - Americans unexpectedly decreased their credit borrowing for the first time in more than ten years, mostly cutting back on ... Video: Bernanke: More Economic Pain Ahead Stocks down despite government moves to free up credit Consumers Trim Their Borrowing |
 China Daily | Credit cards next in line for tightening Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - By MARK GONGLOFF As consumers watch their wealth disappear in the markets, some are also at risk of losing one of their last spending lifelines: credit ... Fear gripping Wall Street Bailout should not include price controls on low-limit credit cards Fed's new arsenal firing blanks |
US consumer credit posts worst drop ever National Post, Canada - US consumer credit plummeted by US$7.9-billion dollars in August - its sharpest drop on record, US Federal Reserve figures showed Tuesday. ... US consumer credit declines for first time in over decade Consumer Credit Drops for First Time in 10 Years US Consumer Credit Dropped by the Most on Record (Update1) |
 Reuters | With Credit Drying Up, Car Buyers Bring Cash New York Times, United States - Tighter credit was a crucial factor in the stunning 26.6-percent drop in September vehicle sales in the United States. In September, sales fell below 1 ... Credit crunch hits auto market's weak link 700 US dealerships could close this year, says head of dealer group Auto dealers looking for the end of the credit crisis tunnel |
 Reuters | Former AIG CEOs back credit default swap regulation Reuters - N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said they would back regulation of the credit default swaps market in testimony at the US House Oversight and ... Unregulated swaps hastened Wall Street collapse New York insurance regulator calls for regulation of credit ... Greenberg Says Federal Loan to AIG Is Bad Deal |
 Thanh Nien Daily | Libor for Overnight Dollar Loans Jumps as Credit Freeze Deepens Bloomberg - The seizure in global credit markets is deepening on speculation central bank attempts to revive lending between financial institutions won't work, ... Credit gears of commerce are still jammed Credit markets still tight as stocks plunge Credit fears threaten to clobber world economy |
Corporate America Credit Union and FIMAC Reach Agreement to Offer ... MarketWatch - Based in Birmingham, Alabama, CACU has over $1.4 billion in assets, and serves the financial needs of 174 member credit unions. ... |
 Voice of America | Small US Businesses Feel Pinch of Tightened Credit Voice of America - By Mike O'Sullivan As the US Federal Reserve System announced measures to ease the credit crisis Tuesday, small business owners around the United States say ... |
 New York Times | Federal solar tax credit extended San Antonio Business Journal, TX - The Solar Electric Power Association expects solar generation to expand significantly thanks to the extension of federal solar tax credits to utilities. ... Solar energy gets huge earmark in bailout bill Will Coal Be Cashing In On the New Tax Credit?  Comment by Gregory Wetstone AWEA Sr. Director of Governmental & Public Affairs |
Bond Risk Climbs on Credit Crisis, South Korea Rises to Record Bloomberg - The Markit iTraxx Japan index of credit-default swaps rose 7.5 basis points to 201.5 as of 10:18 am in Tokyo, according to prices from Credit Suisse Group. ... EURO CORP-British banks' CDS tighten on govt funding talks Australian Bond Risk Rises to Record as Credit Crisis Spreads Asia-Pacific Company, Government Bond Risk Rises, Swaps Show |
How To Choose Your Credit Card Application
The articles and tips provided on this site are intended to help you access credit card offers that suit your lifestyle. By providing you with some basic information, we are confident that you will be able to easily identify which are the best credit cards for you.
Credit Repair, How To
Credit repair, is in a word, vital to reestablishing your credit. Unless you plan to never use your credit again, then you have to find a way to fix it.
ChexSystems: Who They Are and How it Affects You
ChexSystems is a company that maintains a subscriber membership service used in the banking industry. The members consist mainly of Banks, and Credit Unions, but can include other types of Financial Institutions.
Bad Credit Loans For Those Who Seek Alternatives for New or Old Car
You can still save money on a Bad Credit Loan by comparing rates, checking out multiple policies, and negotiating with lenders.Getting a Bad Credit Loan doesn't have to be like basic training.
A Summary of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
This summary of the Fair Credit Reporting Act will explain what you can legally do if you want to repair your own credit report. No matter what you hear, you can dispute credit information on your credit report if you understand the legal rights you have under this law.
Credit Cards And Loans - So Many Options - So Little Time
Credit Cards and Loans sounds like just two things, but in actuality, it is dozens of things. Due to a combination of user preferences, lifestyles, and marketing ideas, there are dozens of different types of credit cards out there.
Practical Suggestions for Protecting Yourself From Identity Theft
It's no surprise that thousands of Americans are victimized by identity theft each year. Last year more than 9,000,000 people were victims of identity theft amounting to some $45 billion dollars.
Credit Score - Reporting Your Financial Health
Credit score is one of the most basic, determining factor while loan borrowing. Credit score is the criterion for the creditor to ascertain whether to give you credit or not.
Rewards Cards: Are They Worth It?
Virtually all consumers will have a credit card at some point in their lives. Is this an understatement? Probably, as most consumers carry multiple credit cards.
Free Credit Reports - How to Maintain Your Credit Profile
Maintaining your Credit ProfileEvery consumer should be maintaining their credit profiles to ensure the highest scores possible. To do so, you must first order your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian.
Learn How to Improve Your Credit Score
Having a damaging credit record can hurt you in many ways. It may prohibit you from making an important purchase such as a home, car, computer or vacation.
Credit Card Security Advice
Which of the following is the biggest threat to your credit card security?a) Shopping online with a credit card b) Shopping in a real store with your credit card c) Ordering something over the phone with your credit cardThe answer may surprise you. It's b - shopping in a real store with a credit card.
How to Save Money on Your Credit Cards
Credit card companies make their money on the 85% of us who fail to pay the outstanding balance each month. Even if you are not in a position to pay the balance each month you can still save some money if use your card wisely.
Credit Counseling -- Why It Doesnt Work For Most Debtors
"Cut Your Payments in Half!" the headline screams. "Consolidate Your Bills into One Low Monthly Payment!"When you see ads like this, they are often from Credit Counseling firms.
Dont Dig Your Own Pit
If you want to enjoy your life out of spending, enjoy if you have your own resources and money.But don't enjoy your life by becoming a debtor to somebody.
4 Steps to Creating Good Credit
As a consumer you've learned the importance of establishing a good credit rating with your lenders. Whether you are shopping for a new home or auto, or searching for the best deals on insurance, your credit worthiness will be judged by your credit rating or credit score.
What Are The Most Common Credit Card Mistakes?
Now in a world with so many easy to get credit cards it can be easy for someone who is a first time credit card holder, or even someone who has several credit cards in the past to make mistakes when using the card.One of the most common mistakes when using credit cards is to use the credit card to make purchases of things you are not really able to afford.
Top 5 Reasons To Check Your Credit Report Regularly
#1 Make sure mistakes aren't hurting your credit.Reviewing your credit report can help you avoid costly errors.
What Should I Do If I've Become a Victim of Identity Theft?
Identity thieves take advantage of everyday opportunities to discover your personal information and use it to commit fraud or other crimes. The good news is a victim of identity theft has more options today than ever before.
Identity Theft - How to Protect Yourself
"Like the tan? I got tons of sun on that Caribbean cruise. First class tickets to Florida and back! Nope, not an airline upgrade.