Prepaid Credit Cards

Imagine the scenario if you will: you’re out for a meal and have had a really enjoyable time, hopefully in the company of some good friends. Then the bill arrives, you hand over your card to the waiter and he returns soon after with the words we dread hearing in a situation like this:

“I’m sorry sir, your card has been declined”

Credit card fraud is on the increase, with many being caught out by criminals who make use of cloning equipment and internet sites in order to obtain your personal details. Indeed, levels of card and mail order fraud totalled around £300m last year.

However, a growing number of consumers are turning to pre-paid cards in order to make transactions and protect themselves from fraud. If you thought top-up cards were just for mobile phones, you’re very much mistaken.

Pre-paid cards – for some – can be as handy as a credit card in terms of budgeting and safety. Indeed, the look like any normal debit or credit card, but can be topped up at post offices and other outlets and then used for whatever you’ve budgeted for. Some make use of the cards for the purposes of paying in wages, rather than using a bank account, either because they may not qualify for 0% credit cards or just want the added feeling of security that comes with the card ownership.

Because you’re putting an exact amount onto the card itself, the risk of overspending is greatly reduced as you’re not tempted to pay for absolutely everything – which can help with your monthly budgeting. Students make use of the cards in order to help with their finances throughout the academic year, but they’re also popular with the under-18’s, which make use of them to ensure that pocket money or earnings from a paper round are secure and can be carried on them at all times.

These accounts can be useful for overseas travel as well, with many travellers choosing to set themselves a budget for when they travel. Pre-paid cards can be useful for ensuring you don’t overspend on souvenirs. Pre-paid cards can also be loaded with a different currency, which can be vital for your holiday spends if the exchange rate is good at the time.

However, there are drawbacks to owning a pre-paid card. There are the fees for one thing, with withdrawals from cash machines in the UK and abroad having fees attached, which would rob you of vital funds if you’re looking to budget. Also, it’s still advisable to have a bank account in order to build up a credit score, which can help in future applications for accounts and credit cards.

David Collins

http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/prepaid-credit-cards-a-useful-alternative-530600.html

Technorati Tags: credit cards for people with bad credit

When searching around for the best prepaid credit card, the main thing to consider are the fees associated with the card. The costs associated with prepaid cards are arguably the main disadvantage.

1) Application Fees

Some providers will charge you for opening an account, some offer free accounts and some accounts can be set up for free provided you preload the card with a certain amount of money.

2) Is there a monthly fee to use the card?

Again, some cards are free, while others make a small charge, perhaps $10-20. If you find a card that charges a monthly fee, find out what you get for that fee. Do they provide online statements, a helpdesk, additional insurance etc?

3) Will you be charged a fee when you load money into your account?

Does it vary according to the method that you use, for example, cash, credit card or bank transfer? And if you deposit money through a bank, supermarket or post office, will they charge you a deposit fee?

4) Will you be charged when you purchase goods and services on your card?

If so, do the costs vary according to the method of purchase (online, offline etc)? What about the charges for purchases overseas or in different currencies?

5) Will you be charged when you withdraw cash from your account through an ATM?

Will this be higher for foreign transactions?

6) Other Unexpected Charges

Will you have to pay for calls made to the provider’s helpline? Will you have to pay for a courier to deliver your card? Will you have to pay for your card to be renewed when it reaches its expiry date? If you lose your card or it is stolen, will you be charged for a replacement card? Will you be charged a fee to close your account?

Find out all the potential costs that will apply to the way that you intend to use the prepaid card. How much would they cost you over the course of an average year?

Choose the card with fees that will suit your use. For example, if you don’t intend to spend much through your prepaid card, but want it for the flexibility that it offers, go for a card with no setup of monthly fees even although it might have higher transaction charges. On the other hand, if you intend to route most of your monthly spending through your prepaid card, a card with monthly fees and no/lower transaction charges might be best for your circumstances.

The main thing is to compare the prospective costs of each card against other prepaid cards and also traditional credit cards. The costs of all prepaid cards should continue to drop as the demand for them grows and the market becomes more competitive. Better deals for prepaid consumers will appear all the time.

But bear in mind that the lowest costs won’t always be the best option. If you’re in debt and need to cut up your credit cards to prevent you from sinking any deeper, slightly higher fees on the safety and flexibility of a prepaid card may be preferable to keeping your existing credit cards and being tempted further into debt.

It’s also worth taking other practical considerations into account, besides the overall costs, including;

How can you add money to your account? How many options do they provide, bank, online etc? Can you do it 24 hours a day?

Can you manage your account online?

Is there an additional card? Is it free?

What level of purchase and fraud protection does the provider offer?

As with all things financial, shopping around is vital to get the best deal on your new prepaid card.

Stuart Laing

http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/prepaid-credit-cards-how-to-choose-the-right-account-118388.html

Technorati Tags: no credit credit cards

So you’ve had some debt problems – maybe due to something outside your control such as a divorce. Now you’re getting your life back on track, but there’s a problem. Because of your bad credit record, no-one wants to lend you money any more.

Well, don’t despair! With prepaid credit cards, no credit checks will be made against your name when you apply. As long as your age, residence and social security number check out, approval is normally guaranteed.

Here’s how prepaid credit cards work. You apply just like any other credit card, but with prepaid credit cards you also deposit a sum of money in a linked bank account. Initially at least, the amount of money in this account then becomes your credit line.

Obviously this means that, to start with anyway, you can’t use a prepaid credit card to borrow money. However, the best cards report to the three main credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) every month. As long as you use your card responsibly, your actions will help to repair your credit record, or indeed to establish one for yourself if you haven’t had credit before.

Within a few months, if you have shown that you can use your card responsibly, you are likely to be offered a bigger credit line by your card issuer. With your ever-improving credit history, you may also be able to apply successfully for a standard credit card or other forms of credit, such as a bank loan.

Your prepaid card can be used just like any other credit card to buy things, whether on-line, over the phone or in person. There is nothing on the card to reveal that it is prepaid. The only people who will know this are you and your card issuer. So if you need to buy things using a credit card and can’t otherwise get one, a prepaid credit card could be the ideal solution for you. And all the while you will be rebuilding your credit history as well!

One drawback with prepaid credit cards is that, unlike ordinary credit cards, you may be asked to pay a processing fee when you apply. This is in addition to the money you will have to deposit with the issuer as security. If you regard this as a stepping stone to establishing a good credit record, however, this one-off fee is literally a small price to pay.

Prepaid credit cards are available from a growing number of issuers. One example is the New Millennium Bank, which offers a prepaid Platinum Visa® or Mastercard®. As well as the benefits mentioned above, the NMB card offers $100,000 travel accident insurance, extended warranty protection, and a special high introductory savings rate on your deposit.

As with all credit cards, however, it is important to shop around and not simply apply for the first prepaid card you see. Different cards offer different combinations of terms and conditions, and the best card for one person may not be the same as for his or her neighbor. Credit card comparison sites such as http://www.finest-credit-cards.com make this easier for you by listing all the best current credit card offers, and also have a range of articles offering independent advice and information.

Nick Davis

http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/rebuild-your-credit-history-with-prepaid-credit-cards-64509.html

Technorati Tags: credit cards for no credit

If you have taken a few shots to your credit report in the last couple of years, and let’s face it – who hasn’t, then you should look at Visa prepaid debit cards as a way to get your financial house back in order. During times of economic duress people get tempted to use their credit cards and usually end up maxing them out. If you are one of these people and are having a hard time getting new credit cards or are looking for a way to avoid further falling into the credit abyss, then you need Visa debit card.

Using Visa prepaid debits cards can be a great way to enjoy all of the benefits of a traditional credit card without the hassles or the cost. With prepaid debit cards there are no fee, interests or penalties because you are the one in control of your spending limits. No one but yourself tells you what to do. This can be a very good thing. And, if you are worried about being approved for a Visa prepaid debit card, don’t be. Approval is fast and easy with Visa’s online application process. No credit checks and no income verification means that you can be up and spending with your Visa prepaid debits cards just as quickly as you can fund them.

Being in control of your own finances will keep you from falling further into the perils of bad credit and with Visa prepaid debit cards you can even start to repair your credit. Since you can’t overspend, you won’t be subject to any more hits to you credit score, especially if you use your Visa prepaid debit card for all your purchases. Showing fiscal responsibility and the desire to get back on track will go far in repairing your credit.

You can use Visa prepaid debit cards in all of the places you can use a credit card too. Wherever Visa is honored whether it is online or in the real world you can make purchases. There are literally thousands of Visa vendors all over the world you can buy from. It’s safe too online or in person. Since you control how much money is in your account, you can keep a minimum to lessen your risk of exposure to thievery without fear of penalty. The road to recovery is in your hands and using Visa debit cards is smart.

James Moris
http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/visa-prepaid-debit-cards-good-news-for-the-credit-challenged-745406.html