Criminals can install theft devices on top of gas station payment machines to steal your credit card information. To help reduce your risk, choose pumps closer to the gas station’s convenience store and check the machine for anything out of the ordinary before putting your card in.
What’s a foreign transaction fee?
Some credit cards charge a fee (typically between 1% and 3%) for every purchase someone makes in a foreign country or through a bank based abroad. If you’re shopping for a new credit card, you may want to consider which ones have foreign transaction fees and which ones don’t, especially if you travel abroad.
Why do I need three credit scores?
There are three national credit bureaus that collect information about you, and they obtain credit data independently. So while you might assume that your three credit reports and credit scores look exactly alike, they can actually differ significantly.
How does my credit score affect me?
Credit scores are important indicators of your financial health. Lenders use credit scores as major tools to determine:
- Whether or not you are a good candidate for a loan.
- What type of interest rate you will pay.
While a credit score is a key determinant of your creditworthiness, lenders also examine the information on your credit report and your loan application. Regularly checking your credit report enables you to:
- Be informed of the most up-to-date information in your credit history.
- Correct any inaccuracies, thus ensuring that your credit data is a true depiction of your credit record and increasing your chances of receiving credit under the best possible terms.