Released on January 29, 2019
The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA) is offering advice to students about credit card usage to help them responsibly use their first credit card. When used responsibly, a credit card can help build good credit history which is important when it’s time to buy a car or a house.
“Making late credit card payments or skipping them will seriously harm your credit rating,” FCAA’s Consumer Credit Division Director Cory Peters said. “It’s important to always make your minimum payment on time. Better yet, if you always pay the full balance on time you can avoid interest charges entirely.”
Keep the following tips in mind when getting a credit card:
- Always make your minimum payment on time – At the very least, make the minimum payment by the due date and to avoid interest charges, pay off the full balance on time.
- Don’t share your PIN – If something happens to your account and you’ve given someone your PIN, you are on the hook.
- Avoid cash advances - There often is a fee associated with this and interest is charged immediately.
- Read your statement – Make sure your transactions recorded in the statement are accurate and check for any fraudulent and unauthorized charges. Fraudsters can sometimes gain access to your card without you noticing it.
- It’s not free cash – If you can’t afford to pay it off right away, think twice before buying something with your credit card. Not all credit cards are the same, offering different interest rates, fees and rewards. Make sure to research which one is the right fit for you.
For more helpful information on credit card usage, visit http://fcaa.gov.sk.ca/financial-literacy/youth-parent-educators/credit-card-tips.
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For more information, contact:
Shannon McMillan
Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority
Regina
Phone: 306-798-4160
Email: shannon.mcmillan@gov.sk.ca