Be Careful! Don’t Get Into New Credit Scam Trap!
By: BrittanyGillen | Posted: 22nd January 2008
Credit card marketing is constantly growing. More and more opportunities are appearing to get a credit card. Today you can get a new credit card even without living your home: apply for a card online and that’s it, you are a cardholder. But what if there is a faster way to get a credit card? Many consumers see the ads that promise to provide them with credit cards just after a free toll telephone call. But be careful! It is just a one more scam trap!
Federal Trade Commission has already taken steps to expose all the scam companies advertising fast and easy ways to get credit cards just for dialing a telephone number. But we consumers can protect ourselves as well.
Let’s see how scammers trick our money out. My brother John was taken in by this ad trick. Several years ago he decided to get his first credit card. While watching TV, he saw an ad that promised him a good credit card despite the fact that he had no credit card history: Get the credit card offer of your dream fast and easily! Just dial the number you see on your screens and you are sure to get a secured or unsecured credit card!
Of course John bought it! He called that “free” number that actually cost him $45 – as he found out later. The lady told him that he was required to pay the application, security deposit and processing fees and asked him to dial another number - at additional charge - to find out more. This “free toll” call cost John $200 and he never got the promised secured credit card. That is the end of the story.
So, what can you do to protect yourself from scammers? Keep in mind the following tips about them:
• They always offer easy-to-get and guaranteed approval credit cards. Mind no one can guarantee you a credit. You will get a credit card only in case you are approved for a credit by a credit card company. The rule is, the better your credit report – the more chances you have to be approved for a credit card.
• Scammers usually promise credit cards after a simple “free” phone call. Don’t get into the trap! They will only trick money out of you! You are sure to pay for the calls and some services, but you will hardly get anything in return. Don’t waste your money on these calls!
• They often promise to improve your credit report by cleaning up your credit history with a small remark for a certain fee. Don’t believe them! Credit repair is a long process that demands patience and discipline. The only way to improve your credit history is to use your credit card wisely.
So, if you don’t want to be fooled by credit scammers, be careful. Don’t believe their promises! Mind the tips and you are sure to avoid their traps.
About the Author
Brittany Gillen is a known financial specialist that works with credit card offers. She helps people with bad or no credit.
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Tags: screens, consumers, scammers, telephone number, credit card company, federal trade commission, cardholder, credit report, watching tv, security deposit, credit card offer, unsecured credit card, approval credit cards, secured credit card, scam companies, credit card history