Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Pros and Cons Of A Prepaid Credit Card

By Pauline Go

Prepaid credit cards are becoming increasingly popular among people who are suffering from debts. Some advantages of these cards include convenience, ease of availability, and guaranteed approval. Thus these cards may be the ideal replacement of regular credit cards for some people.

Listed below are some of the advantages of using a prepaid card.

1. Everyone, including those with bad credit, is eligible for obtaining a prepaid credit card. There are no income proof, credit checks, and no employment verification. Approval is always guaranteed.

2. Since prepaid credit is given on the basis of deposited money, you do no need to worry about issues such as increasing debt, late payment fees, and associated penalties.

3. Prepaid credit cards operate in a similar way to debit cards. They are different from a regular credit card, because they do not offer any credit facility. One can spend only the amount that is deposited in the account. Hence, the name "prepaid credit card" is, perhaps, a misnomer.

4. These cards are widely accepted at all merchant locations around the world. They can be used on the internet and phone.

5. The risk of overspending can be avoided. In a way, prepaid cards can increase financial discipline in a person and help build good financial habits.

6. Like regular credit and debit cards, prepaid cards are also protected by a secure PIN number. Transactions on these cards can be tracked online or by using phone. One can use these cards to get instant cash from an ATM machine.

7. Prepaid credit reports are useful in improving the credit history of the borrower.

8. Many companies offer incentives and rewards to customers for referrals.

In spite of all these benefits, prepaid cards also carry certain disadvantages.

1. One needs to pay the bank a nominal flat charge for opening a prepaid credit card account. This charge ranges from $5 to $10, depending on the bank.

2. The fee around 3 percent is levied on every transaction made using a prepaid card.

About Author:

Pauline Go is a professional writer for many website like http://www.easyonlinefunds.com - She also writes other great articles like Settlements For Victims Of Predatory Lending, Benefits Of Business Credit Cards For Startups and Negotiating Bad Debt Settlements

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