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Credit Card Sleight of Hand: Weasel Wording New York

Weasel wording is language deliberately crafted to be vague enough to make it possible to weasel out of any implied promises and commitments advertised.

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Anthony B. Smolen, Jr., CPA
(716) 834-6111
3949 Forest Park Way 100
N. Tonawanda, NY

Bank of America - Niagara Falls Boulevard Office
(716) 833-3330
1188 Niagara Falls Blvd.
Tonawanda, NY

Bank of America - Payne Avenue Office
(716) 694-2551
1012 Payne Ave.
North Tonawanda, NY

Bank of America - South Side Office
(716) 822-4601
2221 Seneca St.
Buffalo, NY

Bank of Holland
(716) 537-2264
12 South Main St.
Holland, NY

Citizens Bank - Mid City Plaza/Tops
(716) 692-4397
301 Meadow Dr.
North Tonawanda, NY

Citizens Bank - Niagara St./Tops
(716) 693-2658
150 Niagara St.
Tonawanda, NY

Citizens Bank - South Park-Buffalo/Tops
(716) 826-0500
1989 South Park Ave.
Buffalo, NY

Citizens Bank - Tonawanda
(716) 693-2440
20 Main St.
Tonawanda, NY

Citizens Bank - Young St.-Tonawanda/Tops
(716) 693-7285
890 Young. St.
Tonawanda, NY

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Credit card companies are experts in that age-old marketing trick: Weasel wording. Weasel wording is language deliberately crafted to be vague enough to make it possible to “weasel out of” any implied promises and commitments advertised. Weasel wording is a time-honored tradition used not just in advertising, but also in contractual agreements, and in—surprise, surprise—political speeches.

No wonder that credit card companies love weasel wording and use it liberally in both credit card offers and the terms and conditions of credit card agreements. Here are a few examples of credit card weasel wording.

When looking over credit card offers, pay careful attention to how the offer is phrased.

Fine Print: 0% APR for up to 12 months; APR as low as 10.99%; credit limit as high as $10,000.

What it means: That’s anybody’s guess. There is no way of knowing the real terms offered until the card arrives in the mail. With this wording, the actual terms of the credit card will depend on the credit score of the person applying for the credit card. You could end up with what could be a card with a 21.99% APR, a three-month 0% APR, and a credit limit of $1,000. To avoid getting a card with poor terms, instead apply for credit card offers that clearly state the terms, leaving out weasel phrases, such as up to, as low as, and as high as. ...

Click here to read the full credit card article from CreditCard Guide.

Featured Local Company

Anthony B. Smolen, Jr., CPA

(716) 834-6111
3949 Forest Park Way 100
N. Tonawanda, NY

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Credit Card Sleight of Hand: Weasel Wording New York

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