Smart Spending Tips discusses credit card fraud, steps to avoid it and what to do if it happens to you. In the Apple TV+ show “The Big Door Prize,” a mysterious machine offers residents of a small town a chance to learn their true life potential for a few quarters. Once inside the booth, they’re also asked for their fingerprints and Social Security number. “Scam alert!” my brain yells as actor Chris O’Dowd and others enter their SSN and put their hands on the blue, glowing screen without questioning why. Identity theft and credit card fraud are next, I warn…

There’s a new member of the elite 2% flat-rate cash back club. Launched on Oct. 10, 2024, the $0-annual-fee Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards Plus Credit Card earns an unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases. The credit union also offers the older and similarly named Navy Federal Credit Union® cashRewards Credit Card (no “Plus” in the title), which earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Some existing holders of that card will automatically be upgraded to the new cashRewards Plus version. Upgrade eligibility will be based on the cardholder’s credit profile and relationship to the credit union, Navy Federal…

Smart Spending Tips on credit card mistakes and how to avoid them. Mistakes happen, and they can often be forgiven. However, make a mistake using your credit card and you may not be forgiven easily. Some issues could cost you money and cause your credit scores to fall. Here are some of the biggest mistakes to avoid with your credit cards. 1. Not paying on time Not paying any of your bills reported to the credit bureaus can hurt your credit score, but not paying a credit card bill on time can hurt in a few other ways too. By…

AccessibilityThe Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card is one of the most accessible credit cards we’ve seen, making it a great option for those who haven’t been able to get a line of credit. The only requirements: Firstcard applicants must be U.S. residents, at least 18 years old and have a government-issued ID. You don’t even need a Social Security number — but in lieu of that, you’ll need passport or visa information.Your credit scores don’t matter either, as Firstcard doesn’t require a hard credit check on applicants.In order to use the Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card, you’ll need to transfer…

Smart Spending Tips on how preparing for a date with your new credit card includes more than selecting the right card. Sometimes, applying for a credit card can seem like a long series of bad first dates (read: awkward conversations and a nice dose of rejection—ouch). And trust us, finding your dreamboat credit card is tougher than ever. In 2022, the average American FICO score was 714. There is no concrete rule around the credit score you need for a successful credit card application. However, card issuers check your credit score as part of the application process, and a low…

Imprint is a New York-based financial technology company that offers co-branded credit cards, “buy now, pay later” plans and rewards checking accounts. Founded in 2020, Imprint is not a bank or issuer itself, but rather partners with brands to design, launch and manage co-branded credit card programs. The company’s cards are issued through First Electronic Bank. Imprint partners with a combination of widely- and lesser-known travel and retail brands: from Turkish Airlines and Holiday Inn Club Vacations to Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer and Horizon Hobby. Notably, Imprint’s cards feature a preapproval process that won’t affect credit scores initially. Once an…

Smart Spending Tips’s consumer finances 2023 year in review list ten factors influencing overall financial health in 2023. 2023 had more plot twists than a Knives Out movie. Some problems were resolved, some got worse, and others sprang up unexpectedly. Many of the past year’s developments affected consumer finances, creating an odd mix of good and bad news. This kind of mixed environment calls for consumers to be aware and agile. They need to be mindful of how economic developments affect them and agile enough to adjust their financial habits accordingly. Ten key events affected consumer bank accounts, credit cards,…

The Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard, a co-branded card for U.S. consumers issued by Synchrony, launched in September 2024. As its name implies, the $99-annual-fee card earns rewards for Virgin Red, the rewards program for the Virgin Atlantic airline, Virgin Hotels and Virgin Voyages cruises.Here are five things to know about the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard.1. You must be a Virgin Red memberIn order to apply for the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard, you must be a Virgin Red member. If you’re not, you can first join the rewards program, and then apply. Note that Virgin Red is different from the Virgin…

Smart Spending Tips with a few basic suggestions on where to start with credit cards for beginners. If you are new to credit cards and perhaps building credit, you may benefit from a nudge in the right direction. Even consumers who are well-versed in credit need reminders from time to time. We’re here to help you begin or continue your own credit journey. This is a general outline of where to begin the credit journey with some general credit card tips, and how to make the process of maintaining credit a tad bit easier. Understand credit products know your spending…

Capital One’s popular no-annual-fee dining and entertainment credit card is getting a new name: Savor. Wait … isn’t there already a Savor card? There was, and now there is again. Allow us to explain. Up until July 2024, Capital One was offering two cash back credit cards with rewards structures that focused on dining and entertainment. One had a $95 annual fee, and one had a $0 annual fee. The one with the fee was named “Savor”; its top rewards rate was higher, and it offered a larger sign-up bonus. The one without the annual fee was the “SavorOne.” However,…