CREDIT LAND MINES - FROM consumerinfo.com (Experian)

Possible land mines

Your sense of financial well being can be obliterated easily by any number of land mines that lie in wait for the unsavvy user of credit. Here are a few of them.

The cost of cash advances

Getting cash from your credit card is one of the most expensive ways to put money in your pocket. There is usually no grace period on cash advances. That means you're charged interest the second the ATM spits out the cash. And lenders often charge a higher interest rate for this "convenience." So on top of the fee you'll pay to get a cash advance - typically around 2% of the total - you'll pay a higher interest from the day you get it. With all of this in mind, you might want to reserve cash advances for true emergencies.

Short or non-existent grace periods

If you'll be paying your bill in full every month, you'll want a reasonable "grace period" in which to pay the bill before interest charges start accruing. Look at the disclosure information to see when interest is charged on new purchases, and make sure you pay your bill on time. If your payment is one day late it will almost certainly trigger interest charges. Also, if you carry a balance over months, chances are you'll have no grace period for new purchases.

When dealing with debt consolidation and finance companies, consider that you may end up with one monthly bill, but you might end up paying quite a bit of money for a long time for that convenience. If you use a home equity loan to consolidate, you are using your home as collateral.

Low minimum monthly payments

The minimum may only be 2% to 3% of the balance, a number that sounds low enough to some people. However, the price of any given item will be relatively steep over time and it may take years before you finally pay the bill in full.

Low APRs

If you'll be running a balance, the interest rate or APR annual percentage rate) will be an important consideration. Find a card with a low APR, but do keep in mind that the lowest APRs (around 2.9%) are "teaser rates." Teaser rates go up sharply as soon as the introductory period expires. Read the fine print to see when the rate will go up and the maximum rate that can be charged. If you're not prepared to pay your balance in full by the end of the teaser period, don't fall for the pitch. Instead, find a regular card with the lowest rate for which you qualify. Be sure to check with as many creditors as possible and shop around for the best rates.

Are you considering an advance-fee loans? These are almost always a bad deal. You pay a fee of hundreds of dollars for a company to guarantee you'll receive a credit card or personal loan. Legitimate creditors will not guarantee a loan and will not ask for payment until the consumer has received the loan.

Unauthorized use of a credit card

A dishonest person can use a consumer's name, card number and expiration date to order items over the phone, the Internet or through a catalogue. If a credit card has been lost or stolen, notify the card issuer immediately. Pre-approved card offers can be stolen from a mailbox without the knowledge of the intended recipient and redirected elsewhere. If not shredded, information containing credit card numbers and names can be taken from trash containers. In addition to fraudulent charges, identity theft - a much more severe problem - can result.

Credit report misinformation

Check your report at least once a year to make sure information is being reported correctly. While inaccuracies that affect your creditworthiness are rare, it can happen. Credit bureaus like Experian® can help you make sure everything is correct.

Mistakes on a credit card bill

Study your monthly bill carefully and compare the charges against sales receipts. If you have any doubts about a charge, call the credit card company and ask them to provide more information. Make sure the APR listed on the statement is correct, especially if you have a low APR as a promotional offer. Check to see if returned purchases were correctly credited to your account.

Impulse buying

With the power of plastic, it's certainly tempting to indulge in purchases you don't necessarily need. Such purchases can add up fast and generate a balance that takes you by surprise. When you're contemplating an impulse purchase on credit, take a second to think about the check you'll be writing to cover the cost a month down the road.

This article is provided for general guidance and information. It is not intended as, nor should it be construed to be, legal, financial or other professional advice. Please consult with your attorney or financial advisor to discuss any legal or financial issues involved with credit decisions.