Credit Cards

You probably have a credit card. It’s that little plastic thing you pull out when you don’t have enough cash on hand. But have you ever stopped to think about how it works? When you buy something on credit, your credit card company makes you a loan. That’s right, you have to pay it back. The company essentially buys the item for you until your next monthly bill. When you pay your bill, you’re giving the credit company the money they lent you back. However, if you do not pay it all when you get your credit card statement, you will be charged interest. In addition if you pay the bill late, you will be charged a late fee and the terms of your agreement with the credit card company may change--generally not in your favor. Choose and use your credit card(s) carefully.

Choosing and Using Credit Cards – FTC
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/choose.shtm

Avoiding Credit and Charge Card Fraud – FTC
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/cards.shtm

Credit Cards and Consumer Loans – FTC
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/credit/loans.shtm

Secured Credit Card Marketing Scams – FTC
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/secured.shtm

Credit Card Loss Protection Offers – FTC
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/lossalrt.shtm

What to Do if They’re Lost or Stolen – FTC
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/atmcard.shtm

Credit Cards – Consumer Action
http://www.consumer-action.org/english/articles/credit_cards_what_you_need_to_know

Choosing a Credit Card – Fed. Reserve Board
http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/shop/default.htm

Credit Protection Laws – Fed. Reserve Board
http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/consumerhdbk/

Credit Card Fraud – MD Attorney General
http://www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/tip30.htm

What’s the Catch? – MD Attorney General
http://www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/edge118.htm

Fraudulent Credit Card Offers – MD Attorney General
http://www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/edge101.htm

Disputing a Charge – MD Attorney General
http://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/edge119.htm

Debit Cards - MD Attorney General
http://www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/tip55.htm

Families and Credit Cards – Consumer Action
http://www.consumer-action.org/english/articles/families_and_credit_cards_eng

Preventing Credit Card Fraud – Consumer Action
http://www.consumer-action.org/english/articles/preventing_credit_card_fraud

Recognizing Credit Card Fraud – Consumer Action
http://www.consumer-action.org/english/articles/recognizing_credit_card_fraud_english