In the “battle” of the credit crunch, consumers had better come armed – with facts and figures.
Wary of additional financial losses, banks have been quick to cut consumer credit lines, raise interest rates or drop card users altogether.
Is there a method to this credit term madness?
“Credit card users can be blindsided by unexpected changes to their credit card terms,” points out Ben Woolsey, Director of Marketing and Consumer Research for CreditCards.com, the leading online source for credit card information. “There are, however, particular ‘red flag’ consumer behaviors that prompt banks to change terms. Consumers who learn to think like the banks will stay one step ahead of the game.”
The experts at CreditCards.com have identified six behaviors that consumers can employ to protect their credit card standing:
Observe the “30 Percent” Rule: Don’t use more than 30% of your credit line on any one card, or more than 30% of your total available credit.
Use Them or Lose Them: Dormant accounts are most likely to be closed by card companies. If you have cards stashed in your wallet for emergencies, keep them active by using them at least once a quarter.
Don’t be Late: The easiest way to lose credit or to have your APR raised is to miss or be late on a payment. Be sure to pay on time!
Pay Cash at Discount St
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