Having a credit card can be a great way to help manage your finances, so long as consumers use the credit card in the correct way. Credit card holders can take advantage of using their card to help protect them when making purchases and budgeting. So long as they have enough money in their bank account to pay off their monthly credit card balance every month, they can help budget your money.It also gives protection to purchasers when using their credit card under the Consumer Credit Act which can be a great advantage.So long as consumers don’t use their credit cards as a source for money if they do not have the money in their bank account to pay off their monthly balance, they can be a great way to manage your money. But if you are not able to pay off your balance every month you could run into debt problems, and you don’t want that. Make sure you can pay off your monthly credit card bill every month. See our credit cards comparison table for the latest offers. Plus, reading our guides and tips pages can offer consumers more detailed information and money saving hints.
In a study carried out by Saga Insurance it has been found that the younger generation, especially males, are more likely to fall victim to credit card fraud.
Men under 50 are more likely to have several credit cards, making any fraudulent activity much harder to spot. It has also been shown that this sector of the market tend to carry themn all with them in their wallets. A Saga Insurance spokesman felt this was a worrying situation and urged people to take more care over their statements and also where they keep the cards.
He added that the younger consumer was probably less worried about credit card fraud, feeling it would not happen to them. However it has been shown that it can and does happen to people just like them so Saga Insurance are hoping the message will get through.
An American Express survey has shown that identity theft is more of a worry to people now than many physical attacks.
Over half the people surveyed by American Express worry that they will have their identity used by someone else, with the biggest increase being amongst the 18 to 24 year olds, with the concern up by 8 percent compared with last year. Costing over GBP1.3 billion each year identity theft is a very real crime and as our use of chip and pin cards, the internet and technology increases so do the chances of our personal data being taken.
In reality the risk is relatively low, growing lower still if simple precautions are taken. American Express advise internet users not to provide their details to any sites they do not trust, to shred their documents before disposing of them and to make sure their computers are password protected, and not with either birthday or mothers maiden name, which are by far the most common ones used.
