Credit Card Charge-Off - What Does It Mean and What Should You Do About It?

Have you been told by a creditor that your debt is about to "charge-off"? Did the bill collector make it sound like you will be ruined financially if you allow this catastrophe to happen? If you're behind on your bills, unable to keep up with payments on your credit cards and other debts, sooner or later you will hear a creditor representative threaten you with the dreaded "charge-off." So what is a charge-off anyway? Should you be worried? What are the consequences of this mysterious event?

I'll start by explaining what a charge-off is NOT. Because the term includes the word "charge," many people mistakenly think it has to do with cancellation of the account by the creditor. In other words, you can't "charge" anything on your credit card anymore. But it's not the same thing at all, and most banks will revoke charging privileges around 2-3 months before the deadline we're talking about here.

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What banks and bill collectors call a "charge-off" is the point at which the creditor writes off the account balance as a "bad debt." It usually happens after six months of non-payment. After that, they no longer count it on their books as an asset. You still owe the money, of course. And they will certainly make continued attempts to collect it from you. But the creditor has been forced by the rules of accounting to zero out the debt on their financial ledgers. For causing this loss, they will punish you by placing a derogatory mark on your credit report. A "charge-off" is a serious negative mark, to be sure, but it is not the financial ruination that debt collectors would like to have you believe it is.

Credit Card Charge-Off - What Does It Mean and What Should You Do About It?

Should charge-offs be avoided if possible? Certainly. Does the prospect of a charge-off mean you should panic if you have no way to pay the bill? No! Is it the end of the world if the account has already charged off? No! Too often, bill collectors make a charge-off sound so bad, and they apply so much pressure, that people cave in and make payment commitments they cannot keep. Collectors usually demand payment via post-dated checks, and this frequently leads to bounced checks and even worse financial problems. Most of us are brainwashed by the banks and media on the subject of credit. Sure, good credit is important. But committing to payments you really can't afford just to preserve your credit is like watering the lawn while your house is burning down.

Here are a few simple rules to follow when trying to avoid a charge-off that hasn't happened yet:

* Don't be intimidated or threatened by pre-charge-off collection tactics. Keep a cool head and don't take it personally when collectors try to get under your skin.

* Call your creditor to find out the minimum payment necessary to avoid the charge-off, and subsequent payments to keep the account current going forward. Don't commit to this payment (or series of payments) unless you're sure you can follow through.

* Negotiate a lump-sum settlement at 50% or less if you have the resources, or a workout plan for monthly payments that you can live with.

* Do not allow bill collectors to talk you into using post-dated checks, or providing your checking account details over the telephone. Instead, make payments via cashier's check or money order.

* Do not make payments based on a verbal arrangement. Get the deal in writing and signed by a creditor representative who has authority to approve the workout plan.

What should you do if you simply don't have the money to rescue the account from charge-off, or if the account has already been charged off by the creditor?

* Take a deep breath and relax; the sky won't fall on your head just because you had a charge-off.

* Realize that you still have an opportunity to resolve the matter by dealing with the original creditor or the collection agency assigned to the account.

* Negotiate a lump-sum settlement with the creditor or collection agency. Again, aim for 50% or less, and ask for the charge-off to be deleted from your credit report as a condition of the settlement. (Most creditors will not agree to this, but it's worth asking anyway. Do be sure that they will update your credit report to show that the matter has been resolved and the account has been satisfied.)

* If you can't work out a deal with the collection agency assigned to your account, then wait until it goes to another agency! Eventually, it will either be assigned or sold to an outfit that you can deal with to get the matter cleared up.

To sum up, a charge-off is not the end of the world. It should certainly be avoided if possible, but not at the risk of making things worse by committing to payments you're not sure you can keep up with. Just remember that the creditor doesn't want to see a charge-off any more than you do, so use that knowledge to your advantage in working out a mutually acceptable arrangement. Get everything in writing, don't disclose your checking account details, and follow up to make sure the creditor reports the matter correctly on your credit report. You'll find that it's easier than you think to resolve a charge-off situation before it happens, or clean it up if it's already taken place.

Credit Card Charge-Off - What Does It Mean and What Should You Do About It?

Charles J. Phelan has been helping consumers become debt-free without bankruptcy since 1997. A former senior executive with one of the nation's largest debt settlement firms, he is the author of the Debt Elimination Success Seminar™, a five-hour audio-CD course that teaches consumers how to choose between debt program options based on their financial situation. The course focuses on comprehensive instruction in do-it-yourself debt negotiation & settlement designed to save ,000s. Personal coaching and follow-up support is included. Achieves the same results as professional firms for a tiny fraction of the cost. http://www.zipdebt.com

List of Major Credit Card Companies

There are many different credit cards companies in existence today. Hundreds of credit cards are offered every day to potential new customers from all the different companies. They are marketed through various banks and other financial institutions, not only in U.S but worldwide.

One of the best known major credit cards is VISA which is known all over the world. Visas have grown into a largest and most widely used payment brand in the world. Visa allows banks and other financial institution to issue Visa Cards in its name and it's more than 50 years of existence.

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The in charge of processing all the visa credit cards transaction all over the world is done by Visa International and company owned by more than 21, 000 member financial institutions. They are one of the world's largest payments processing system. There is more than one billion visa branded cards with cardholders in more than 150 countries which comes to trillion in transaction every year.

List of Major Credit Card Companies

One of the best is the MasterCard also which is accepted all over the world. Also do transactions and are processed through MasterCard's huge electronic processing network to make it easier and faster before to make a payment no matter which part of the world. Most of the leading companies are connected with the banks such as CITI bank, American Banks, etc.

American Express Credit Cards are also one of the best worldwide and this was founded in 1850 which began as express delivery company years ago and now it has added a wide range of cards to its list of offerings. The first charge cards for more than fifty years are the American Express as pioneered.

One affiliated with Visa or MasterCard brand is Amex. Amex is one of only two issuers and evolved into financial services company offering different types of financial products such as money order and travelers check.

Lately is the Discover Card which is issued by Discover Financial Services which was founded in the year 1986. This Discover card is not affiliated with Visa and MasterCard but has its own U.S payment network. It makes it marks as a leading innovation in the line of credit card industry and has customer loyalty among leading brands in year 2007. Discover Card is one of the leaders in cash back credit cards where in it offers up to 5% cash back on a certain purchases. What an amazing kind of card.

As you all know, these cards are used almost in all day to day transaction from buying daily needs such as milk, coffee, food, etc. Seems credit is a form of cash money to everyone who has it.

One should bear in mind that credit card is for emergency purposes where the priority which you have to use on this is your needs not your wants in life.

In applying for a major credit card without prior experience to credit history may obtain one far more difficult process since credit history is needed to measure your capability to pay and allows the issuing company to provide you with a credit limit where in they can give you the payment plan that can suit your lifestyle and personality.

So one must think and plan first before obtaining a major credit card and which company suits your needs best.

List of Major Credit Card Companies

You can find out more on the major credit card companies by doing a little research online. You can find out the different cards, options and rewards each one offers with a little leg work. Then once you have found a card you like you can even apply for a major credit card all from the comfort of your home.

For more on this see Gordon Smith's website or just click on the links above.

The Insecurity of Your Social Security Number - How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

When Cmdr. Gloria Christensen retired from the Navy at full disability due to a service-related head injury ten years ago, she thought the worst was over as she began to return to some normalcy of life. Without family members nearby, she asked for - and was granted - a custodian certified by the VA, to help her manage her financial affairs as she recovered.

Now, a decade later, she has learned a bitter lesson that she wants other veterans to know: Someone can do tremendous - sometimes irreparable - damage to you, just by having access to your social security number.

\"Pre Approved Credit Cards\"

You see, while Christensen continued her recuperation, sustained financially by allotments from her tax-free disability payments administered by her custodian, she never dreamed that same custodian was using Christensen's Social Security number to buy and sell stocks on the Internet -- racking up enough profits that the IRS came after Christensen for over 0,000 in back taxes.

The Insecurity of Your Social Security Number - How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

Now, after nine months of wrangling with lawyers, federal tax specialists and her custodian who denied everything, Christensen is only 00 poorer, sadder and wiser.

A UNIVERSAL NUMBER?

"Your Social Security number was never meant to be a universal number for all purposes," says New Mexico State Representative Danice Picraux, who has introduced legislation in Christensen's home state to try to staunch the bleeding-out of her constituents' resources through identity theft. Her NM House Bill 905 - "Privacy Protection Act" -- will make it illegal in her state for a business to require a customer to give his or her Social Security number as a condition of lease, purchase or provision of service.

"There's a provision in this law that if an existing state or federal law requires that a number be provided, then the person can ask for it and have it," says Picraux, "but in the future, when you go to your doctor's office, and they ask for your Social Security number, you don't have to give it and they still have to serve you."

A second provision in Picraux's proposal would forbid the printing of more than the last five numbers of your credit card number on any receipt. "And no expiration dates on the receipts," says Picraux. "Your credit card information is supposed to be yours and yours alone."

NATIONAL CONCERN

Such legislation reflects a concern that borders on urgency. The Federal Trade Commission's annual report about consumer complaint categories in 2002 says that identity theft topped the list of top ten fraud issues, with 43 percent of the complaints. The Department of Justice says that identity theft affects between 500,000 and 700,000 Americans-up 40 percent from just last year-hundreds of thousands of people with an average loss of ,000 each.

And cleanup - if it can be achieved - is expensive and time consuming. According to Frank Abagnale - the clever crook-turned-crime-consultant whose life was recently chronicled in the movie, Catch Me If You Can -- getting just your credit report scrubbed of identity theft can take an average of ,173 and 175 man-hours. And since those man-hours probably won't be consecutive, Abagnale notes that "it can be months or even years to regain financial health," during which time getting a job, obtaining loans and housing, even writing checks for utility bills and groceries, can literally become a federal case.

If you suspect or know you've been a victim of identity fraud, there are steps to take and no time to waste. But prevention is cheaper, easier, and more satisfying than cleanup.

Don't minimize your personal risk. People you don't know and will probably never meet are actively looking for credit card receipts in public trash cans; and "dumpster divers" specialize in going through household and business trash. They can fill out a change of address form with the post office to divert your mail to another location while they spend on your credit cards. They look for your business or personnel records at work. They can rob your home or use special software on your present - and discarded - computers. They can get your credit report by pretending to be a landlord or employer. They can get your birth certificate by posing as a lawyer, and create a new identity with your name. They can buy personal information from dishonest employees of companies that have a right to your information; or buy your personal information from any number of online sites that sell detailed facts about you. They can counterfeit your checks or debit cards and drain your bank accounts. They can set up new bank accounts and cell phones in your name.

And then they can even file for bankruptcy under your name to avoid the debts they've racked up using your name!

PROTECT YOURSELF!

Abagnale, Picraux, and government agencies have some suggestions in order to help you keep your good name good and your private information private. One thing they all emphasize: Be proactive, and assume that somebody wants your private information. The best, cheapest way to protect yourself is to use a shredder (Abagnale advises a crosscut shredder) on every single piece of mail you don't intend to keep. Tear covers off catalogs and shred the covers, along with any other piece of mail that contains your name, address, account numbers or any other information. In particular, shred every credit card application you receive and do not apply for; and when you cut up expired credit cards, do not throw all the pieces away at the same time or in the same place.

An easy way to remember the basics of protecting yourself is with the acronym, SCARS: Sharing, Credit, Access, Recognition and SS#.

S is for Sharing: which is what happens when you're on any kind of mailing list. The fewer you're on, the more secure your personal information is. How to stay off them:

Contact every financial institution where you do business and tell them that you do not want them to share any information about you without your written permission.

Check the boxes on any application form you fill out, specifying that your information isn't to be disseminated.

Get your name off mailing lists by writing the Mail Preference Service, PO Box 643, Carmel NY, 10512. Cost is for online registration; expect to see results in about 3 months.

Get your phone number off call lists by writing the Telephone Preference Service, PO Box 1559, Carmel NY 10512.

Be aware that grocery store and other "frequent buyer" cards reveal your buying habits and other information you may not want disseminated. Count the cost: is that discount worth it?

Think twice before entering any contests. The information -your name, address, phone number - is almost certain to be sold to marketers. Don't believe it? Enter a contest with a misspelling of your first name or add a non-existent apartment number, and wait and see just how much junk mail you get addressed that way.

C is for Credit. Here are some tips for protecting your credit rating:

Check your credit report at least once a year. Here are the names and phone numbers of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax (1-800-685-1111); Experian (1-888-397-3742), and TransUnion (1-800-916-8800.) Expect to pay about for each report - cheap insurance.

If a credit card bill you're expecting doesn't arrive on time, call the company to find out why - and have them check your mailing address to see if someone has filled out a change of address form without your permission.

Place passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts. Choose a combination of letters and numbers that can't be guessed, and store any records of the passwords securely.

Subscribe to a service, such as Privacy Guard, that provides you with the contact information of each company that accesses your credit report. Abagnale uses such a service, saying, "I consider their annual fee money well spent."

Cancel all unsolicited "pre-approved" credit cards.

When renewing credit cards, bank cards, and telephone cards, always request the security code immediately.

"Don't be surprised if you receive an unexpected call from a credit card company asking about an unusual purchase or series of purchases, even if you haven't lost your card," advises Picraux. "The company is just doing its job of protecting its customers. But don't give out any information if they don't already have your account number - a legitimate caller will already have that information."

Never pay "up-front" for a loan or credit. The FTC warns, "Remember that legitimate lenders never 'guarantee' a loan or credit card before you apply, especially if you have bad credit, no credit, or a bankruptcy."

Carefully look over credit card bills before paying them, and personally reconcile your own bank statements promptly upon receiving them.

A is for Access: and anyone-friend, foe, family, or stranger - who has access to any of your personal documents has you at their mercy.

Take every credit card and every other ID card in your wallet and make a photocopy of front and back (spread several out on the machine and do them at once.) Keep in a locked, secure place in your home or safe deposit box. In addition, do not carry any credit cards or ID cards with you that you don't absolutely need - and never take your Social Security card with you -keep it locked up too.

Report stolen or lost checks, credit cards, medical cards, military ID cards, drivers' licenses, even library cards immediately.

Make absolutely sure in your home that blank checks, bank statements, account information and other data are not accessible to guests, domestic help, tradesmen and repair persons, and others. Consider buying a lockbox with a tamper-proof lock for such documents.

Scrutinize your personal and business check forms. Abagnale says that annual check fraud losses exceed 20 billion dollars. On his site, www.abagnale.com), there is a list of services and check security features that are "must see."

Never mail your bill payments or checks from home. "They can be stolen from your mailbox and washed clean in chemicals," says Abagnale. "Take them to the post office."

R is for Recognize: Be cautious about anyone unknown to you who approaches you to sell (or "give"!) you something, or who wants your private information.

Don't give your Social Security number out on the phone, nor any other personal information to retailers or other strangers.

Don't transact any business over the phone that you don't initiate, and then only to companies you know and trust. Say, "Take me off your call list" to any telemarketer you don't want to hear from again..

Know who you're dealing with. "Walk away from any company that doesn't clearly state its name, physical address, and telephone number," advises the FTC. "A Web site alone or a mail drop box should raise suspicions."

If you buy online, be sure the site is secure by reading its privacy statements before purchasing or giving personal information. Use firewall software, especially if you use high-speed Internet services. Update virus protection software religiously.

To complete the word SCARS, here are specific tips to keep your Social Security number (S) out of the wrong hands:

When asked for your Social Security number, ask questions. Say, "Why do you need that number? What happens if I don't give it to you? Can you accept any substitute?" And if it's mandatory that you supply your number, Abagnale advises you to request that your number be either truncated or obliterated on loan and credit applications, and that "your original credit report be shredded before your eyes or returned to you once a decision has been made." Abagnale says that a lender or retail manager needs to retain only your name and credit score to justify a decision to grant or deny your credit request.

Never put your Social Security number on checks, and only put your first initial on them. "Thieves will not know how to sign your checks and may not know if you are male or female," advises Picraux.

Order your Social Security Earnings and Benefits Statement once a year to check for fraud. The Social Security fraud hotline is (800) 269-0271.

And finally, the X-Files warning is appropriate: trust no one. Although most identity theft occurs when a stranger steals your personal information, you can lose as much or more just from friends or family who have access to your records and accounts. Even the bookkeeper or other entrusted person you've treated like family for decades-as Cmdr. Christensen ruefully discovered -- shouldn't be given carte blanche with your personal information, bank statements and bills.

"I've been doing this for 25 years," says Abagnale, "and it's never the person who's worked for you for six months that rips you off for ,000. It's always the long-trusted employee."

IF SOMEONE STEALS YOUR NAME, DOCUMENTS, OR INFORMATION

Immediately do the following:

Report the crime to your local police. Get a police report number.

Keep a written record of all calls - time, date, who you spoke to - and details of your conversations with authorities, financial institutions, anyone you talk to about the crime.

Call your credit card issuers at once. Then follow up with a letter repeating what you said on the phone and including the police report number.

Call your bank immediately and follow up with a written letter.

File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Hotline (1-877-438-4338).

Call the fraud units of credit reporting companies (TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax - see article above) to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number.

The Insecurity of Your Social Security Number - How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

Latayne C. Scott has published hundreds of articles in national magazines, including Military Officer, Today's Officer, Writer's Digest, Guideposts,Texas Business, NFPA Journal, New Mexico Magazine, Albuquerque Journal, Sage and many others. She writes on finances, utilities, retirement, robots, consumer issues, writing and publishing, cults and a host of other subjects. She has also written 13 non-fiction books published by major genre publishers. Visit her website at http://tinyurl.com/cvwdjy for more information.

Pre-approved Unsecured Credit Cards

If you're like everyone else, you've received a letter in the mail saying you're 'pre-approved for a credit card' from the specified company. If you choose to open the sent envelope, the numbers of how much money you'll be granted are large, but the rules and what you're actually getting are small enough to miss. What does this mean to you?

An unsecured card is essentially for someone with good credit, who the credit card company trusts enough to pay off their debt on a monthly basis. Unsecured credit cards are held by a majority of people, and tend to be the most desired option. It allows for the user to make purchases and pay it back in monthly increments set by the credit card company.

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Secured credit cards, on the other hand, are for those with unsteady, erratic and unsatisfactory credit, who have a history of late or not forthcoming payments. With a secured card, the credit card company requires the amount desired to be deposited before the card is issued. Upon receiving the deposit, your credit line is established for that amount. The deposit acts as a safety net, and if payments are not made, the company will take payment from your original deposit.

Pre-approved Unsecured Credit Cards

Unsecured cards do not require a deposit, and the consumer is allowed more freedom with spending and repayment. If the payments are on time, the limit allowed will be increased if desired. If, however, payments are not paid on time, credit card companies will continue to add additional late charges, as well as a certain amount of interest that also must be repaid. The interest varies, but can be as low as single digits and as high as 20% on your outstanding debt.

Pre-approved is another term used to lure in new credit card customers. Credit cards must always be applied for, and involved with this is a listing of the applicant's occupation, income, other debt and similar factors. Once the application is submitted, the credit card supplier will examine the numbers and decide if you will be able and likely to repay your credit card purchases.

Pre-approved means the credit card company has obtained your credit score from a credit bureau such as Equifax and Transunion and already is aware of your good credit. You do still have to go through an application process, and the credit line advertised is not necessarily what you will get, but there is a better chance of being approved in this method than simply applying blindly for a credit card, in general.

Pre-approved Unsecured Credit Cards

The author is owner & operator of several successful bad credit credit card websites. For more info & resources visit: unsecured credit cards today.

Chase BP Visa Credit Card

If you buy gas from BP gas stations, you should be using the Chase BP Visa Rewards Credit Card. You could be saving up to 10% on purchases made at participating BP gas stations! You could also be saving money almost everywhere else that you shop.

The 10% in rebates does only apply to the first 2 billing cycles/months. During that 2 month introductory period, the Chase BP Visa Credit Card can also save you 4% on eligible travel and dining purchases and 2% rebates on other purchases.

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After the 2 month introductory period, the rebates are cut in half. So you would get 5% on BP purchases, 2% on dining & travel and 1% on all other eligible purchases. Get out a calculator and estimate how much you would save each month.

Chase BP Visa Credit Card

One exception is that purchases made at competing gas stations are not eligible for rebates with this credit card. With some discipline you could limit yourself to just buying BP gas. You could also get a different rewards credit card for non-BP gas purchases.

Once you accumulate at least in rebates, you decide how and when to redeem your reward. Redeem for your choice of:

oA BP Gift Card

oA check made payable to you

oA donation to The Conservation Fund, an environmental charity

There is also no limit to the number of rebates that you can earn. So you could use the Chase BP Visa Rewards Card almost everywhere you shop and save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Plus the card has no annual fee! As an added bonus there is a 0% APR for the first 6 months on purchases and balance transfers.

This credit card is a must have for anyone who regularly buys gas at BP gas stations. Gas prices are at an all time high. Fight back with the Chase BP Visa Rewards Card. Apply today.

Chase BP Visa Credit Card

Fill out a BP credit card application at GasolineCreditCards.net Apply for a gas credit card online today and start saving. Also click for more cash back credit card applications.

Beacon Credit Score Explained

If you want to check your beacon score so that you can buy a house of get a loan for a business, you will need to check with all o the three credit bureaus which are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

They each follow variations of the FICO credit scoring system. The beacon credit score is used by the Equifax bureau and this score is based on certain factors of your life including jobs, income, changes of address, enquiries and debts.

Credit

The reason that banks will want to see your beacon credit score is that they can assess how able you are to pay back the loan that they give you. This score will also determine how much the interest rate will be on that loan.

Beacon Credit Score Explained

The credit scores range from 300, which is bad, to 850 which is brilliant, but most people range between 600 and 800.

To get a favorable bank loan and good interest rate, you beacon credit score must be above 750. This can save you so much money per year because of the amount of interest that you will have to pay.

The beacon score can be higher with low interest rate banks wanting you to have a beacon credit score of 640, and middle to high interest rate bank wanting a score of at least 540. A perfect score would have to be close to 850.

Even though this can be difficult to achieve, the banks do use all three models to ascertain the loan that they give. The factors that are looked at are arranged in the following percentages.

The timeline of your bill payments will count for 35 percent and includes late payments, and missed payments. Outstanding credit is 30 percent and can differ depending on how much the installments are compared to the loan amount.

By reshuffling your money, you can improve your credit score dramatically. The amount of time that your credit has been active is 15 percent and this means that you should not close any accounts if you are in debt.

Just pay them off and keep the account active. They want to see that you have been using your account for more than a year to get better credit results. The type of credit that you have counts for 10 percent so always use a reputable source and do not open too many small finance credit cards.

Acquisition of new credit can lower your beacon credit score so do not open too many credit cards in a short space of time.

If you want to assess your beacon score you can find many places online where you can do that and have the results in less than 24 hours.

You can also find calculators that will let you determine your score and help you to improve it before you approach any banks and lenders. The trick to keeping a high credit score is to only take out a loan when it is absolutely necessary and to pay it back on time.

Beacon Credit Score Explained

Is your beacon score higher than the national average? Get your free report and credit score by visiting: Free Credit Report And Score.

A Credit Card For People With Bad Credit - $10,000 Guaranteed Starting Credit Line

The recent financial crunch has caused many would be credit issuers to tighten up on approvals for those consumer applicants with less than perfect credit. Even new credit seekers who do not have poor FICO scores, but also have not had the opportunity to establish a good credit profile as of yet are being turned away and treated as high risk applicants.

The problem for people who fall into either of these categories is that they have a legitimate need to either establish or re-establish their good credit profile and raise their FICO score, however without easy access to credit card approvals their ability to accomplish this necessary task is extremely difficult. Ironically, it's these same card issuers who would like their applicants to have established solid credit histories who will not approve them in the beginning to help them prove that they are worthy of a new card approval. This vicious credit circle affects over half of the households in American today.

Credit

A few companies have recently stepped in to fill the credit needs of this growing consumer segment and offer instant online approval credit cards for people with bad credit or no credit history at all. These credit providers will typically issue new credit cards without a credit check and regardless of the applicants past or present credit history. Some of these cards are issued as major brand logo credit cards, prepaid debit cards, secured credit cards and online catalog shopping cards which allow the card holder to purchase household and gift items from the credit grantors web based store.

A Credit Card For People With Bad Credit - ,000 Guaranteed Starting Credit Line

One such card offered with no credit check is a new Platinum Card that boasts a huge beginning limit of ,000 for all of its approved applicants, even those with poor credit or no history at all. As long as the applicant is at least 18 years of age and has a valid U.S. checking or savings account, the applicant will be approved. The Platinum Card also features 0 % interest on any unpaid balance and there is no employment verification required for approval. The card does require a minimal initial membership fee, however once the new member is approved, the card issues each user a whopping ,500 bonus to use towards unpaid balances in addition to the generous starting limit of ,000.

For consumers who are having trouble getting approved for a traditional credit card with strict income and employment requirements, this particular card for people with bad credit may be a valuable option to acquire a high limit credit card with no credit checks or employment verification.

A Credit Card For People With Bad Credit - ,000 Guaranteed Starting Credit Line

Christian T. Rogers has been working in and writing for the sub-prime financial market for the past 12 years. He has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine and has been a consultant for Fortune 500 companies specializing in the sub-prime financial markets. You can find out more about the credit card profiled in this article at Credit Cards for Bad Credit

Credit Card Collection Agencies Secrets

Have you ever wondered why collection agencies keep calling you more often? There are numerous situations that credit collectors use to get the money you owe.

But let's start from the beginning when you get your credit card. Obviously everyone knows that you need to pay your credit card on time. However, situation is not always the same when it comes repaying your credit card debt.

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Once you are late on your credit card, Credit Card Company will alert you and give you a chance to work with them to pay off your debt. This is the best chance ever, if you credit card company is willing to work with you. In most cases you will receive late notices and your credit score will start to take a hit. If you are one day late on your credit card payment, your credit card company will report this late as 30 days late on your credit report. Afterwards; you may receive another notice to call their credit department to help you out with your situation or work out some re-payment plan.

Credit Card Collection Agencies Secrets

If there is no action from you or credit card Company, your unpaid balance may end up in collector's hands. Collections agencies are commission based most of the time. They have pre-arranged profit negotiations with credit card companies and typically credit card companies will take 40%-60% from your balance you own. If collector is able to collect more from you, they keep larger chuck of the profit for themselves.

Credit card companies are very serious about privacy of their data and most of the time dictate how your information should be transferred before collector can view your name, address, SSN number, etc.. Some of the top requests are SSL (Secure Server Locket), 128 bit encryption, FTP encryption and password, etc. With all of this and more, there are few credit collection agencies that spend money on more sophisticated software as it is very costly for them.

Once your data is opened or extracted from credit card company list, collection agencies use their own scoring model to determine how quickly you are able to repay your debt if they call you. They look into your credit score, how many tradeline you have, balances, late payment if any and so on. Upon all the data, their own credit scoring model will give them number as how quickly you are able to repay your debt.

But did you ever wonder why they keep calling you more and more? Collection agencies will more likely call more those will higher credit scores than those will lower credit score. If you have a good credit score, you are a high candidate for a repayment or settlement. You are more likely to settle than someone with lower credits score. However, if you have good credit score, collection agency will settle around 40% of the balance, as you owe them 60%. When someone with low credit score and same balance may be able to settle at 60%, as they will owe them 40%.

If you have a good credit score, you are more willing to maintain your credit rating. Collection agency knows this and offers you only around 40% settlement as well as they will call you more often to collect.

Once you have a low credit score, collection agency will try to reach you few times but eventually gives up on you for a few months as they know that you will not repay it back quickly for them to claim a profit.

Most financial professionals will tell you that maintaining your credit score is very important, however collection companies exploit that and use it against you. Yes, they are willing to even settle at 60%, but they will not do it as they will loose their profit. This is a game with numbers and profits.

If you have a good credit and fall behind, work with your credit card credit department and make sure they will not turn your unpaid balance to collection agencies, otherwise you will face numerous phone calls for a credit you build so well.

Credit Card Collection Agencies Secrets

Martin Lukac represents RateTake Refinance marketplace. RateTake matches consumers with multiple lenders offering low rates. Got too much credit debt? Get Debt Relief and you'd be surprised what we can do together.

Credit Card Statute of Limitations in Pennsylvania

Credit Card collection lawsuits are on the rise across the country. We especially notice the increase in claims here in Pennsylvania based upon the volume of phone calls and emails that I receive on this topic.

One of the biggest questions that I receive is "What is the Statute of Limitations for Credit Card Debt"? The quick and easy answer is four (4) years. (Unless the contract is under Seal, which makes the SOL 20 years. Most Credit Card contracts are not under Seal).

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The next question that must be answered on this topic is "When does the Statute of Limitations begin to run"?

Credit Card Statute of Limitations in Pennsylvania

Generally, it starts on the date of the default, which is typically 30 days after you have made your final payment. However, the date of default is not always the same as the start of the Statute of Limitations. Let's look at a fact scenario to explain this. Joe has a credit card account with Superbank. Joe makes payment for several years, then misses 3 payments. That will constitute a default. The Statute of Limitations begins to run with the default. Then, Joe makes 3 more payments and stops, creating a second default. The Statute will begin to run from the second default, not the first, so the Statute of Limitations will be 4 years from the date of the second default.

As a separate issue on this topic, we must discuss what the Statute of Limitations means to you. This law does not prevent a credit card company or collection agency from suing you. I tell my clients that anyone can sue you for anything at any time. What the Statute of Limitations does is give you a defense to the lawsuit, meaning that you have to affirmatively raise this defense, in writing, to the court. The court will then look at the facts involving your case, including the date of default, and then determine whether the claim against you has been timely instituted.

Credit Card Statute of Limitations in Pennsylvania

Greg Artim is a Consumer Attorney based in Pittsburgh, PA. He handles Lemon Law and Credit Card Defense matters in all of Pennsylvania. For more answers to your Pennsylvania Credit Card Law questions, please visit his website at PA Credit Card Defense Attorney.

Credit Card Q&A In QuickBooks

Sometimes new users of QuickBooks have questions about how credit card work in the software. Here are some helpful bites of information about this subject.

Aren't Credit Cards Expense Accounts?

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No. In the Chart of Accounts, liability accounts represent amounts of money owed to others. Credit cards are liability accounts, because every time we use our credit cards, we owe money to the credit card company. One nice feature of QuickBooks is that it allows us to set up a special type of account for credit cards, called, not surprisingly, "Credit Card."

Credit Card Q&A In QuickBooks

But make no mistake: this type of account is a liability, and not an expense. When you buy something with a credit card, you are paying for it with borrowed money, and the money is borrowed from the credit card company. This is why credit cards are considered liability accounts.

So When Are Expenses Recorded?

When using the credit card, the expense is recorded in the Record Credit Card Charges screen, in the lower half of the screen, in the Expenses tab. Let's say you went to Office Depot and bought some computer paper with your credit card. Two things happened when you did this:

1. You incurred an expense for Office Supplies

2. You went into debt to the credit card company

When using the Enter Credit Card Charges screen, both of these events are recorded on a single screen.

How Does This Relate to Double Entry Accounting?

This above transaction is an excellent example of double entry accounting. Remember this and it will help you a lot in QuickBooks: every transaction in QuickBooks is double entry - it records two events with a single transaction. If you grasp this, and understand what those two events are in each screen, it will save you a lot of time and trouble in the long run.

Credit Card Users, Credit Card Accounts. . . How to Set Up in QuickBooks?

Even if you have multiple credit card users for a primary account, my suggestion is to have a single account set up in QuickBooks for all users. An alternative is to set up sub-accounts under a parent account, one sub-account for each credit card user. But I think the single account will be easier to manage.

The only reason to set up sub accounts is for some internal, management reason - do you really need to track the separate liability balances and expenses by credit card user? How useful will that information be? The extra work to keep track of it this way needs to be offset by the usefulness of the information.

Keep in mind, too, that three separate payments will need to be paid for each of the separate sub-accounts - this will ensure that the liability balances in QB will stay correct. My suggestion is to keep life simple and only use a single credit card liability account in this situation.

Credit Card Q&A In QuickBooks

About the Author: Jennifer A. Thieme is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor who loves to write about QuickBooks issues. She brings unique insight, clear instructions, and over ten years of experience to all of her QuickBooks articles. Owner of Solid Rock Accounting Services, Jennifer's clients enjoy these same benefits on a personal and regular basis. You can too - visit http://www.jenniferthieme.com and contact Jennifer today.