Either they just see no real need for credit cards and the mess that goes with them, or they may have had it drilled into their head to not have credit cards by parents who have experienced the woes of credit cards.

Some people are definitely on the other side of the story and their wallets are loaded with credit cards. People who have several credit cards are actually borrowing money at a high interest rate, because they rarely pay off their balances every month.

Do you avoid credit cards like the plague, or do you charge so often you forget what shade of green a dollar bill is?. If you’re reading this article, you are probably somewhere in the middle, or most likely you don’t have a credit card but you are thinking about applying for one.

The decision to get a credit card will likely depend on where you are financially and your personality type. We all would love to say that we handle our money perfectly but this is not true.

If you have trouble budgeting your money, getting a credit card should not be your top priority, because you have to be ready for credit. You could likely handle credit if you are on a monthly budget, buying just what you need when it is needed, paying your bills on time and putting money in your savings each month. When you have been able to keep from going into debt, it could be alright to get a credit card, but you should first of all, ask yourself why you want a credit card.

Is it because you can’t afford the life you want to live and want to borrow money to buy what you want?. If these are your reasons for applying for credit, reconsider your finances and do NOT get a credit card.

If it is because you just want to be able to swipe your card and go when you are shopping, you can easily use a debit card from your bank the same way. You will probably be asked if it is debit or credit, and if you choose credit you can sign your name and go just as you do with credit.

A credit card which earns you reward points may work for you if you are confident you can pay off your balance every month, such as a gas reward credit card. These cards will only be worthwhile if you always pay off your balance, or else you’d be canceling out the amount you receive from the rewards and still owe more in interest charges.

When shopping online you have to make sure that the site you use is secure. Such sites are usually denoted by https. This means that when you enter your information the software on the site encrypts the data so that others using the server on the page cannot gain access to your private information. It is also important that when you do enter your credit card information online that you do so on your own computer rather than one that is shared among many users. You should also clear your browser cache from time to time to ensure that someone else cannot see what pages you accessed and try to gain access to your credit card in this way

Always make sure that the site you use for online shopping is secure. These sites will have a privacy statement assuring you that you won’t be endangering your credit card information by shopping on them.  Some of the details of personal information that a fraudulent person can use if he/she does obtain your credit card number is your mother’s maiden name and the three digit number on the back of the card. These two pieces of information could open you up to fraud if you give them to the wrong person.

Only use secure sites when you shop online using your credit card. There are many sites that do not have proper security and your credit card information could become part of the public domain. Before you enter your number to check out with your purchases, check the security and the privacy policy of the site. Some sites, while being secure, so sell or give your information to other sites and this can lead to disaster for your finances

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in the UK has issued warnings about responding to unsolicited phone calls and emails asking for such information. In spite of these warnings, many UK residents have fallen for the fraudsters’ tricks and have given out the requested information. Banks and financial institutions will never call or email you asking for such information. You should be suspicious of any phone calls or emails that require you to give the details of your credit card

The same thing applies to an email that claims to come from the HM Revenue and Customs. UK residents have received such emails telling them that their tax returns have been reviewed and that they are entitled to an additional refund that will be paid to their credit card account. The government will never contact you in this manner and will only do so in writing. Disregard such emails and delete them from your computer