Debbie Dragon asked:




With so many consumers looking for ways to rebuild their credit, secured and prepaid credit cards are growing in popularity. Some people swear by them, and others try to avoid them. If you’re new to credit cards, you may have wondered how a prepaid card differs from a secured card, and how either kind can be used to build credit.

Secured credit cards work much like regular credit cards, but with less risk to the card issuer. The cardholder deposits money into an account, which is used to secure a line of credit. Typically, the cardholder needs to deposit enough money to cover 100-200% of the card’s credit limit. For example, a one thousand dollar deposit would result in a credit limit of five hundred to one thousand dollars.

Secured cardholders are responsible for timely payments, just like regular cardholders. This is a good thing, because it teaches good repayment habits and helps to establish a positive payment history – a very important part of rebuilding damaged credit. If a secured cardholder does default on a payment, the card issuer is protected; they can recover their loss by taking it out of the cardholder’s deposit account.

Critics of secured credit cards point out the difficulty of coming up with a lump sum of cash to use as the deposit, and they do have a point; if cash is that tight, perhaps it isn’t the best time to get a credit card of any type.

By contrast, prepaid credit cards are not actually credit cards at all. They look like them, and can be used like them, but they are really more similar to debit cards. The cardholder deposits money into an account and the prepaid card is then used to draw on these funds. No actual credit is offered by the card issuer. Setup fees and small monthly fees usually apply.

Prepaid cards can be issued to minors. These cards are popular with parents of teenagers who want their kids to have access to a credit card, but one with a definite spending limit in place. No large, up-front deposits are required to obtain a prepaid credit card. The prepaid card limit is up to the purchaser, who can load the card’s account with an amount of their choosing.

Prepaid cards can also be used to establish or rebuild credit. Some issuers give out cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo on them, and these cards can be used anywhere those brands are accepted. Setup fees and monthly fees vary by issuer, so do a bit of research to find the best prepaid card for you. You will find that your options are plentiful, and competition between issuers is steep – which is good news for potential cardholders.

Secured and prepaid credit cards are similar in form and function, with a few notable differences. If your credit is damaged or nonexistent, these cards present an opportunity to improve your situation. If you have a teen or young adult with an allowance, but don’t want to worry with cash or checks, prepaid cards can be a safe and convenient way to store their money. Likewise, if you have trouble limiting your own spending, you might want to try one of these cards.

But if your credit is average or better, and you’re able to control your spending and pay off your credit card balance each month, you might be better off going for a standard, unsecured credit card. The interest rate and fees will almost certainly be lower, and you won’t have to worry about putting up a big deposit. There are many available cards to meet many needs. A little research should turn up the card that best meets yours.

secured credit cards

Dan Moskel asked:




The Centennial card is created for individuals with a low credit score. It is issued by the First Premier Bank a member of the FDIC.

There are easy requirements for approval; however it does carry some fees. This includes a one time $95 fee, an account set up fee of $29, and an annual fee of $48.

These fees will be charged against your available credit. Meaning when you are issued your card, you will have these fees on your balance.

It comes with an initial credit limit of $250, and an APR of 9.9%.

It can come as a MasterCard or Visa; you will decide when you apply. Additionally if you apply online you will have a response to your application within 60 seconds.

When making your monthly on time payments you will create a positive payment history on your credit report.

Additionally your utilization ratio is very important. This is the amount of debt you have compared to your available credit. If you can keep your monthly balance at roughly 30% of you limit it will help the most.

If your card has a limit of $250 then you want to keep the monthly balance around $75. After you have paid on time for 6 months you will be eligible for a limit increase.

The First Premier Bank is a member of the Better Business Bureau. They are located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and have issued cards to over 3 million people.

Your card is accepted everywhere the Visa or MasterCard logo is seen. You can qualify for the card if you are over 18 years old and have a valid social security number.

Recently we have seen a rise in interest rates even with prime lending. Some rates have jumped to an outrageous 30% without cause, meaning the customer did not pay late.

In sum we suggest you explore all your options for credit if you have made some mistakes. It may be more cost effective to get a secured or prepaid card, and take other steps to repair your damaged score.



secured credit cards

eHow asked:

Western Union offers prepaid Visa credit cards with no credit check by allowing consumers to pay a Western Union representative to generate a prepaid card. Find out about the large fees associated with Western Union prepaid credit cards withinformation from a registered financial consultant in this free video on credit cards. Expert: Patrick Munro Contact: www.northstarnavigator.com Bio: Patrick Munro is a registered financial consultant (RFC) with outstanding sales volume of progressive financial products and solutions to the senior and boomer marketplace. Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC

visa credit cards

mati n asked:


Also, what is the cost of getting a prepaid Visa card with, say, $40-$50 on it? Where can I get one?
How do I register it in my name and address is the main question.

visa credit cards

Daniel W asked:


I am not underage or anything, I’m just really iffy about putting my credit card information online, the site says that they won’t charge anything, but I’m not willing to take the risk. Anybody know if a prepaid card works works for sites that require a credit card to verify age?
Thanks

online credit cards

Bob Dole! asked:


Ok, Im sure everyone knows about the prepaid debit cards and credit cards that act as a real credit card, just they are prepaid. I am looking for one that:

1. You can use online

2. Has a 3 digit security code (like for online)

3. can be put into my name
4. you can buy/pay for it it through paypal

I have almost $200 in my paypal account, I need to get it out. Also, I bought my mom a computer for her birthday and am trying to help her use it, she wont use her credit card online as she is afraid of being scammed, so I can just give her a prepaid debit card, kill two birds with one stone

online credit cards

Omar Vega asked:




There are some websites you would like to purchase merchandise but you don’t trust the website yet with your credit card information. A solution is in place, Get a Prepaid Credit Card! These plastic wonders help you protect your real credit card information giving you better peace of mind when doing this kind of purchases

Advantages of Prepaid Credit Cards

These Credit Cards provide a reliable way to purchase from somebody you don’t trust yet, since you can control their balance. If you are purchasing a $20 item you can get a prepaid credit card around that price. Also with these Prepaid Credit Cards you don’t pay any interest, saving you lots of money in the long run. Also you can send these out to your kids in college to control their spending. And since its so easy to refill them it makes sending them money a breeze.

Where I can use a prepaid credit card?

You can use a prepaid credit card in every place that you can use a regular credit card. Online purchases, Grocery Stores, gas and convenience stores, department stores, etc. And if You get a pin number with your Prepaid Credit Card you can even get money from a ATM.

These card are normally safer to use than regular Credit Cards because their balance is their maximum expending limit, no overdraft, no having somebody steal it to spend countless amount of money, and no kids expending more than their allowed amouth. Get a little more peace of mind today and get a prepaid credit card for all your online purchases.

online credit cards

okthen79 asked:


I tried to use it to buy some granola bars online and the retailer said my name and address doesn’t match the credit card. I tried to explained that it is a prepaid card and I was hung up on.

online credit cards