| Credit Education » Understanding Credit Card » How do I find information about credit cards? |
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How do I find information about credit cards? |
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You can find lists of credit card plans, rates, and terms on the Internet, in personal finance magazines, and in newspapers. The Federal Reserve System surveys credit card companies every six months. You’ll need to get the most recent information directly from the credit card company--by phoning the company, looking on the company’s web site, or reading a solicitation or application.
Under federal law, all solicitations and applications for credit cards must include certain key information, in a disclosure box similar to the one shown.
APR for purchases. The annual percentage rate you’ll be charged if you carry over a balance from month to month. If the card has an introductory rate, you’ll see both that rate and the rate that will apply after the introductory rate expires.
Back to disclosure box
Other APRs. The APRs you’ll be charged if you get a cash advance on your card, transfer a balance from another card, or are late in making a payment. More information about the penalty rate may be stated outside the disclosure box--for instance, in a footnote. In this example, if you make two payments that are more than ten days late within six months, the APR will increase to 23.9%.
Back to disclosure box
Variable-rate information. Information about how the variable rate will be determined (if relevant). More information may be stated outside the disclosure box--for instance, in a footnote.
Back to disclosure box
Grace period for repayment of balances for purchases. The number of days you’ll have to pay your bill for purchases in full without triggering a finance charge.
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Method of computing the balance for purchases. The method that will be used to calculate your outstanding balance if you carry over a balance and will pay a finance charge.
Back to disclosure box
Annual fees. The amount you’ll be charged each twelve-month period for simply having the card.
Back to disclosure box
Minimum finance charge. The minimum, or fixed, finance charge that will be imposed during a billing cycle. A minimum finance charge usually applies only when a finance charge is imposed, that is, when you carry over a balance.
Back to disclosure box
Transaction fee for cash advances. The charge that will be imposed each time you use the card for a cash advance.
Back to disclosure box
Balance-transfer fee. The fee that will be imposed each time you transfer a balance from another card.
Back to disclosure box
Late-payment fee. The fee that will be imposed when your payment is late.
Back to disclosure box
Over-the-credit-limit fee. The fee that will be imposed if your charges exceed the credit limit set for your card.
Back to disclosure box
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