Credit Card shopping mistakes, (Beware) ,

because when shopping, we can easily make mistakes because we are not always paying attention to what or who is around us and inadvertently make mistakes. This could be because of our excitement to be shopping,  it could be because we get caught up in all the hype of shopping, also you never know when people behind us could be looking over our shoulder’s trying to see our card info., etc., etc., (just to give an example).

Let’s start by talking about;

Shopping Online at Unsecured Websites

Whenever  shopping online, it’s best to stick to Stores, Companies, and Big Name Retailers,  you know and trust. When using your credit card,  for a  purchase, double-check that the URL (address) of the website starts with “https” and not just “http” The letter “s” lets you know it’s a “Secure Website”. Also check for the “Lock Symbol”  next to the LEFT of the URL, which also lets you know your transaction is secure.

Opening Department Store Credit Cards

Remember,  Each time you open a new store card, a “hard inquiry” is generated on your credit report, knocking down your credit score (FICA). Besides, department store credit cards usually have higher interest rates than national cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. Be mindful of this, If you’re in the mall and a nice lady behind the counter asks, “Would you like to save 20 percent off your purchase?” it may seem like a wonderful  idea to say yes. But in reality, she’s trying to get you to open a department store credit card for that discount. This is a bad move, especially if you do it frequently. Remember this “Hard Inquiry” fact, => it knocks  your “FICA SCORE” down!

Buy Extended Warranties

If you’re buying  electronics or a tech item, you may be asked whether you want an extended warranty. It’s usually a wise decision  to decline retailers’ insurance: It’s often too costly and provides only limited coverage. So don’t get influenced by the salesman to do so. Please!