What Are Prepaid Credit Cards

Before using a prepaid credit card you have to pay for it, thus the self-explanatory identification on the card.A deposit or prepaid specific amount of money which is sometimes called a “security deposit” will be have to be placed by the card aplicant into the bank of the card issuer.In most cases the required amount is between $200 and $500.00 and your credit limit is equal to the amount of your security deposit.

With traditional credit cards, you apply for credit and receive approval or you are denied based on your credit rating, then if approved, you are issued a credit card with a specified line of credit.If you have a weak credit rating or if you have no established credit, you may be denied by traditional banks.

The closely enforced credit rating requirements that most traditional lenders go by may be eliminated on prepaid credit cards as sometimes they may not even do a credit check or verify your employment.The security deposit you prepaid to gain access to the line of credit will ensure that the issuer receives repayment if you should happen to default on your credit card’s monthly payments.The prepaid credit card can help establish credit or repair bad credit because the security deposit assures the card issuer of payment and most people are eligible.Although you may get instant approval on these prepaid credit cards, there could be restrictions, such as having to be at least 18 or 21 years old or you may have to be a citizen of the U.S..

Prepaid credit cards can be used just as you would use traditional credit cards, anywhere that VISA and MasterCard is accepted these cards can be used with ease.You can use prepaid credit cards online and offline, you can pay bills online and over the phone, and you can withdraw cash from ATM machines with them.

Some of the advantages of prepaid credit cards include the ability to establish or rebuild a good credit rating and help to avoid making late payments.Other advantages to the prepaid credit cards are that your check can be directly deposited onto your card and it may also eliminate the need to write money orders and checks and go to the post office.

There are some definite disadvantages to the prepaid credit cards; such as frequent high interest rates, a monthly maintenance fee, and higher over the limit and late fees.The prepaid credit cards may not be accepted by the car rental agencies and the required security deposit before the card can be used by you can also be some of the disadvantages of prepaid credit cards.

It is of utmost importance for you to be on time with your payments and you must not go past the preset credit limits on your credit card agreement when you are trying to establish or rebuild your credit.Prepaid credit cards were added our list of financial sources to help us learn to keep track of where our money is going and how we can control what we are spending.

It can be too easy to get caught up in the late payment trap and before you know it, you are 60 to 90 days behind and the fees are continuing to add up.When you have made payments on time and in a consistent manner, most card companies will increase your credit line and may return your deposit with interest.

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One Response to “What Are Prepaid Credit Cards”

  1. Credit Crunch » What Are Prepaid Credit Cards Says:

    […] [Technorati] Tag results for credit wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptWhat Are Prepaid Credit Cards Before using a prepaid credit card you have to pay for it, thus the self-explanatory identification on the card.A deposit or prepaid specific amount of money which is sometimes called a “security deposit” will be have to be placed by the card aplicant into the bank of the card issuer.In most cases the required amount is between $200 and $500.00 and your credit limit is equal to the amount of your security deposit. […]

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