Finance Quick Answers
I was recently approved for a credit card, but the annual percentage rate they quoted me was higher than the rate that was advertised on the application. What happened?
Buried in the fine print of your credit card
application, agreements, and correspondence from the
card company are provisions that can cost you plenty.
Here is one trap to look for in tiny type. You may
notice sometimes the rate you’ve been charged on your
statement is not the attractive rate you were offered.
Some issuers determine the rate you’ll pay after
reviewing your credit qualifications. If you don’t
qualify for the lower rate, you’ll be issued a card at
higher terms. Both rates must be disclosed on the
application but it’s easy to overlook this in the fine
print. When you receive a card for which you’ve applied,
check the card holder agreement with the card to make
sure the interest rate is the one for which you’ve
applied. If it’s higher, call the issuer and cancel
immediately.
If you cancel before you use the card, you won’t be
responsible for any annual fees.
Source: Bottom Line Personal - Oct 15, 1997
Written by:
Sandra McKinnon, Consumer & Family Economics Specialist,
University of Missouri Extension
Cynthia E. Crawford, Ph.D., Consumer & Family Economics Specialist, University of Missouri Extension
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Last update: Monday, July 28, 2008
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