Smart Credit Card Habits when taking a Vacation

Using a credit card to pay for the primary amount of your vacation expense could be the best and safest way to pay for your travel needs. However, there must be precautions taken before setting off to your foreign destination. At Customer Credit Cards we encourage our customers to use and take advantage of all the benefits credit card companies offer consumers. Continue reading to learn tips regarding smart credit card practices when planning a vacation.

Tips

• This may sound obvious, but just as a reminder make sure the credit card you plan on using when vacationing at your chosen foreign destination is widely accepted. You do not want to get to your vacation destination to find out the card you chose to bring isn'tof any value.

• Depending on the card, you may end up paying tons in fees. Some credit companies charge card holders 2% of every ATM transaction they make while abroad. The best way to avoid paying foreign fees for using your card is to apply for a credit card that waives those fees.

• Always call your credit company to let them know you will be leaving the country. This is necessary because if you use your card abroad it could be flagged as a fraud charge and your card will not be active until you get in touch with a representative so they can reactivate your card.

• Keep your card with you at all times and in a safe place. A zipper pocket on your person would be the best way to avoid losing or having your card stolen. It is always important to take extra precaution when traveling in areas you are not familiar with.

Protect yourself from Credit Card Identity Theft

Each year, millions of people fall victim to credit card identity theft. Criminals use an individual’s personal information to commit credit card fraud, and rack up thousands of dollars in charges leaving the victim to deal with the consequences. Learn more about how these criminals obtain your personal information and what steps you may take decrease your risk of becoming a victim of credit card fraud.

How do these criminals obtain an individual’s credit information?

Identity theft criminals acquire an individual’s personal information by stealing their wallet, purse, stealing their credit or debit card numbers, stealing bank statements, stealing personal employee files, conducting scams by posing as government officials, and even by going as far as rummaging through a victims trash. Most victims don’t become aware that their identity has been stolen until several months later. In fact, some victims go years without knowing their identity has been violated.

How can you prevent becoming a victim of credit identity theft?

Always be careful when making online purchases. Make sure the website is legit and security protected. At Customer Credit Cards, we take the steps to ensure our customers’ information is guarded and well-secured. The credit companies we work with also go to extreme lengths to ensure the protection of their customers’ identity.

In addition to improving how well you regulate your online purchasing, you should destroy all documents that include your phone number, social security number, and address. Such documents include: personal checks, expired drivers licenses, bank statements, credit card statements, and paystubs. These documents are often lost or misplaced, and if found in the wrong hands, it could lead you to serious credit trouble in the future.

Browse through the Customer Credit Cards website and view our available credit cards to find out more about our great deals!

What's the Deal with Pre-paid Credit Cards?

Have you ever applied for a credit card and been rejected? This isn’t terribly uncommon. Many consumers experience rejection from credit agencies. Unfortunately for those consumers, acquiring a credit card is vital for transactions such as reserving a hotel room or renting a car. The best solution for these consumers with bad credit is to look into obtaining a pre-paid credit card. Pre-paid credit cards are credit cards where consumers apply a selected amount of money towards the card. The card may be used exactly like a normal credit card except the consumer will not be authorized to spend more than the amount they applied towards their card.

Who uses pre-paid credit cards?

Those who have poor credit score and teens benefit the most from pre-paid credit cards. They’re great for consumers who have bad credit because they prevent consumers from continuing to fall into debt. They also get reported to credit agencies so holders may begin improving their score.

Most teens do not have a credit card, but some parents like knowing their teen has emergency funds. Pre-paid credit cards allow parents to provide their teens with financial security when they are not around and teach them financial responsibility.

How do they benefit from pre-paid credit cards?

Using a pre-paid credit card allows consumers to set their own spending limit, so they can have more control over their finances. Setting a limit enables consumers to avoid falling into debt and damaging their credit score. Pre-paid credit cards also offer consumers better security. There is no need for you to carry around a ton of cash with a credit card, and if lost or stolen, the card may be canceled over the phone. Some pre-paid credit card companies even offer fraud services, like regular credit cards, that will cover any fraudulent charges if the card was stolen. One of the best benefits of pre-paid credit card is no late fees, and they are zero interest credit cards! Browse the Customer Credit Cards website to find the best deals on pre-paid credit cards