The Truth Behind Some Credit Card Urban Myths

You have probably heard and even believed a number of them, but acting on credit card myths can cost you more financial harm than good and even trash your credit rating. Take note that if you are in debt which is beyond your control, take immediate steps to recover from it. You can try out pre pack administration or any other form of recovery. Trust me when I say that bankruptcy or being in debt ain't that good for you. Anyway, here are some of the most widely-circulated credit card urban legends to keep a cautious eye out for.

Credit Card Myth # 1

Myth: Writing "See ID" or "Ask for ID" instead of your signature on the back side of the card will deter card thieves and free you of liabilities should it be stolen and used. The "See ID" sign reminds salespersons to check on the name on the card from the person holding it.

Fact: An unsigned credit card is regarded invalid. Furthermore, many salespeople hardly ever check for signatures. As a result, they are prone to miss "See ID" within the card's signature space.

Will writing "See ID" free you of liabilities when your card be stolen and used? Lauren Zeichner, an attorney with Consumer's Union says no . Zeichner stated, "... no matter what's on the back, you are only liable for up to $50 charged when a card is stolen, and several companies waive that for their card holders. Writing 'Ask for ID' might encourage a retailer to ask for your identification, but it has no legal bearing. "

Credit Card Myth # 2

Myth: The American Express card offers no credit limit, meaning you can buy everything you want. Years of effective ad campaign have discreetly imbedded in your subconscious the message" No preset spending limit. " So after activating your AmEx card, you can go buy your self the latest Ferrari or Porsche product. There's no spending limit, correct?

Fact: American Express no longer releases the card types that allow you to incur plenty of debt, provided you are able to pay all of it every month. If you look closely at the card info, the words "no preset spending limit" in many cases are followed by an asterisk (*). The fine print says that the phrase "... does not mean limitless spending. "
"There is no preset spending limit. It's dynamic. It can change based on your financial condition and how you use the card, " says Mona Hamouly, an American Express spokeswoman.

Credit Card Myth # 3

Myth: Paying more than you owe can boost your credit card rating. In addition, using just a small percentage of the available credit or keeping a low utilization ratio improves your credit rating.

Fact: Roslyn Whitehurst, a spokesperson for the credit bureau Experian says "Even though you may be below zero on an account, it is assumed that's a temporary situation. Whether you've got a credit of $100 or perhaps $1, 000, it still exhibits as a zero balance for scoring purposes. "

Credit Card Myth # 4

Myth: You could improve your credit card rating by utilizing your debit card responsibly. Since credit and debit cards, both holding AmEx, MC, Visa or other logos, look identical, these are treated by retailers in almost the same exact way. Hence, both cards can affect credit scores.

Fact: "Having a bank account with a debit card and maintaining it effectively shows that you're a responsible consumer, " says national priorities director for Consumer Action Linda Sherry in Washington, D. C. "But it is not taken into account... " in credit ratings, she further states.

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