In this day and age, more and more people have started to worry about the environment and the people around them. The amount of people giving to charity has increased over the past few years and it seems that more people than ever before are now interested in doing their bit for charity. However, many people simply do not know where to start and that is where charity credit cards come in.

If you own a credit card or if you are looking for a credit card, then you will be fully aware that there are quite a few traps that you can often fall into. A shocking figure shows that 125 increases have occurred in rates and fees on credit cards in the past two months alone. Credit card companies have desperately been trying to get back money that they have lost after the ruling for lower late fees earlier on in the year.

There has been a lot of fuss regarding the new Bread Maestro card lately and so it is no surprise that once again it comes highly recommended. The new card is a prepaid card and whilst it looks exactly like a credit card, the main difference is that you cannot spend more than you have. Just like with a debit card, you spend only what you put onto the card. So just what is the point in that?

In order to beat the debt crisis that has rocked the UK over recent years, many new measures have been introduced. A new scheme that has been launched by the company “Axa” is just one that is set to help out thousands of consumers.

Christmas is almost always a strain on your finances and with so many gifts, decorations and food to purchase it is not hard to see why! However it is an expense that not many people can actually afford and so they end up paying for it on their credit cards.

The Competition Commission has recently announced that your PPI on your credit card could actually be costing you more than your monthly interest in some cases.
An investigation into Payment Protection Insurance by the Competition Commission has shown that potentially thousands of people may be wasting more of their money on the insurance than they are on the interest.

It is no secret that credit card companies having been losing out on money because of the cuts in late payment fees. The ruling earlier on in the year left credit card providers worrying about the huge losses they would face because of the new lower fees. Not able to charge more than £12, the potential losses were quite substantial, but now credit card companies are fighting back.

Whilst the UK debt situation reaches an all time high, you may want to start asking yourself some tough questions regarding your credit card. Do you use it frequently? Do you save it for a rainy day? Do you rely too much upon the card?

If you are thinking of transferring your balance over to a new credit card then you may want to think carefully about it. This is because whilst balance transfer deals were all the rage earlier on in the year, now creditors are starting to gradually introduce higher fees for the privilege.

Not too long ago France was the country which was known to be the worst for UK credit card fraud. However now that buck seems to have been passed to the US where instances of UK credit card fraud have risen quite dramatically.

Credit cards have come a long way since they were first launched within the UK. These days you can get cash back cards, reward credit cards and even charity credit cards.

Over the last year there has been an argument going on between credit card companies and the Office of Fair Trading regarding card protection abroad. The battle has actually been going on for 12 years, but it has only been recently that the case has gone to court.

As more and more people use the internet these days to purchase various items, online fraud is one problem which has gradually built up. The figures that show the extent of the rise in online fraud are actually quite scary and that is why many consumers are now worried about what they are spending and where they are spending it.

When your credit card statement comes through your door, do you actually understand it? Can you look at it and be confident that you know where the money has been spent and how the balance is getting paid off? For the majority of consumers they can’t and that is particularly worrying if you are in debt with your card.

With Christmas fast approaching you may now be starting to think about the financial strain of it all. With presents, decorations and cards to purchase, as well as maybe a tree and outdoor lighting, the cost of it all could really soon start to mount up. That is when many people turn to their credit cards.

The news that more than a million people have had to resort to paying their mortgage or rent with their credit cards will unfortunately not come as a shock to many people. The housing shelter charity “Shelter” has recently conducted the survey that showed that millions of people are struggling

When you look into the trend of credit card borrowing, you will soon notice that there is a big divide between the ages of consumers. You may be forgiven for thinking that the younger generation would be the biggest culprits for borrowing on their cards, but in fact it is the older generation who rely more upon their credit.

The unfair banks charges case has been going on for a little while now. Millions of consumers have filed claims against their banks and credit card providers and thousands of pounds has been lost by the lenders because of it. However, recently the banks managed to put a stop to any future claims until 2008, a move which has enraged thousands of consumers.

This September studies have shown that the amount of money being lent on UK credit cards increased by one hundred million pounds. The sudden increase in borrowing on credit cards is no doubt linked to the fact that there is only 10 weeks left until Christmas.

A new study has shown that millions of people will switch their credit card provider over the next 12 months. In fact the figures are likely to be closer to six million if the study by Abbey has got it right.

If you are familiar with the low cost airline “Flybe” then you will know that they are well known for their superb prices to a variety of different destinations. However what you may not know is that the company has just managed to seal one of the biggest airline credit card deals within the UK.

A new website has just been launched in order to help consumers out with their financial needs. Whether you are looking for loans, credit cards, bank accounts or mortgages, www.justmoney.co.za is a website which may be able to help you.

As the students have just gone back to university, one thing is clearly on their minds as they start their new term – money.

The fees which credit cards charge have constantly been under fire for the past year and things certainly show no sign of letting up now. The consumer group “WHICH?” is the latest to attack the fees which the cards charge, after credit card companies have raised their annual fees several times already within the last year.

Charity credit cards have been around for quite a while now, however not everyone has been entirely convinced by their benefits. Many charity cards offer just a small percentage of money that is spent on the card to charity, leaving people to wonder just exactly how much good they are actually doing. After all, what is a few pence for every £10 spent?

If you own a credit card you will be only too aware that the charges on the card are changed fairly regularly. It could be that your monthly bill has come and you now are left wondering why fees were charged for various things.

When it comes to fraud, Southeast London has proven to be one of the worst affected areas within the UK. This is especially true with “card not present” fraud and it includes fraud over the telephone, internet and through mail order.

If you own a credit card or if you have been looking into the different credit cards available, you are likely to know just how much they have changed over time. With advances in technology, now you can shop with your card relatively safely with chip and pin technology and you can even purchase items online too. So with all of the improvements made on credit cards, it does sometimes make you wonder what the future of them will include.

If you are looking for a credit card which gives you a good deal on cash back, then the new credit card from “Abbey” might be just what you are looking for.

Most households could potentially save a lot of money if they were to change just one thing about their lifestyles. This is particularly true in the case of credit cards as there are so many people with cards that are just eating away at their money. This really needn’t be the case as you could easily switch to a card which is better suited to your needs such as a 0% credit card.

Credit cards are readily available almost everywhere you look these days. You see offers on the television, offers in magazines and even offers through your front door. So the temptation to actually sign up and apply for these credit cards can be quite strong.

The internet is a fantastic thing, but sometimes it is possible for it to jeopardise your finances. This is especially true if you use your credit card for online shopping. There are so many fraudsters out there who are looking to steal your details and they do find extremely clever ways of getting to them. This means that it is possible for your card details to potentially be used against your knowledge and that can mean that you end up in a lot of trouble financially.

Fraudsters are extremely clever these days and they are forever finding new ways to get to your credit card details. One particularly common way of stealing your credit card information from you, is to use what is known as a “skimming” device that is attached to ATM machines

The new “Bread Maestro” card has already proven to be extremely popular and it is designed to be on a completely different level to any other type of card. Despite what many people think it is not a credit card. It is in fact a prepaid card that allows you to spend only what you have put onto the card. It is thought that prepaid cards will take over from credit cards by the year 2010.

Online fraud has inevitably increased as more and more people have turned to the Internet to buy their goods.

They say that by upping the age limit on credit cards, it will help to stop the younger generation from getting into so much debt. So just why do younger people have such a problem with credit card debt?

These days banks seem to be constantly introducing new finance options to their customers in order to keep up with the market.

As you are likely to know, Nectar is a well known company within the UK. There are thousands of consumers joined up to the Nectar card scheme which links with hundreds of retail outlets and many are enjoying the benefits

Barclay’s has already made it clear that they intend to release the first ever cashless credit card by the end of the year. Now it seems those plans are being pushed ever further ahead, as the company so far has over 3,000 people on its waiting list for the cards

Studies show that as more and more people are constantly finding it harder to pay off their bills each month, they turn to their credit cards.

Credit cards are well known for tempting us into purchasing the things in life that we cannot afford. Forcing us into thousands of pounds worth of debt, they really can be lethal

Credit cards are used by millions of people in the UK and they are extremely convenient for purchasing absolutely anything that you want, wherever you want. Due to the fact that they are so popular, the internet has made it extremely easy for you to use your credit cards online. Now as great as this is, it can also be potentially dangerous if you live in a house with teenagers.

The world today is packed full of stress and our lifestyles have never been more hectic. Work, family and money all contribute to these growing levels of stress and the way in which people deal with it is often to spend.

Whilst you are mainly warned off having more than one credit card for obvious reasons, sometimes it could actually pay off. Providing you use the cards wisely, it can really help to have more than one credit card for more than one thing.

When it comes to advances in technology, Japan is always the Country which leads the way. Now the country has come up with a new way to pay for your purchases safely and efficiently.

With the large amount of confusion that has been shown by consumers regarding their credit card pin security, APACS has decided to release a pin security guide. Launched on the 16th of August 2007, the guide clearly tells you how to keep your pin number a secret from those around you.

It is that time of year when students have now secured their place in university and they are now ready to experience life before they start to study again. A gap year is an extremely popular choice for many young people as it involves experiencing new things and just getting away for a while. However, whilst a gap year is often a fantastic experience, you have to have some way to fund it.

If your child has a pre-paid credit card, or if you have a prepaid credit card that your child could have access to, then you might want to read this. According to The Observer, children today are using pre-paid credit cards to fund alcohol, porn and to gamble online.

With the debt crisis being as critical as it currently is, debt management groups are blaming part of the problem on younger credit card applicants. They say that by upping the age limit on credit cards, it will help to stop the younger generation from getting into so much debt. So just why do younger people have such a problem with credit card debt?

When you have any type of card, whether it is a credit card or a debit card, the main thing that you should always remember is your pin number. We all know the dangers of identity fraud and we have received numerous warnings about protecting our financial details by covering up our pins from praying eyes. However, it seems that some people are just not listening to this advice and their finances are really paying the price for it too.

With the start of the football season now here, banks and building societies have put together some fantastic football financial deals. You can choose from several credit cards and savings accounts that give your favourite football team money every time that you use the card.

When applying for credit cards, PPI (Payment Protection Insurance) is an option that most people used to take out instantly. However, due to a lot of negative publicity recently, PPI has now taken a dent in popularity. But is this negative publicity justified or not?

These days it is hard work trying to make enough money in your life to enable you to have a nice, relaxing retirement. So many elderly people are struggling constantly to get by on the money that they receive from their pensions. It can really cause a lot of problems for them financially and so when a potential way out is offered to them, they instantly take it. That is why so many elderly people today are in so much debt.

If you have more than one credit card debt then it might be a good idea to consider consolidating your debts. This is according to financial experts at Mint Financial Services. According to them, it would be a much better option to take out an unsecured loan than it would be to take out a credit card.

It is thought that couples, who are struggling with a mountain of debt, are more stressed than singles that are also in debt. This is because whilst there may be an opportunity for both partners to work and earn double the money that a single person does, the amount borrowed is often larger. Due to the fact that both partners do usually work, lenders are willing to lend a higher amount of money and many couple’s borrow more than they can comfortably afford.

The Office of Fair Trading is currently looking into ways in which lenders can make their products a little less confusing. Hidden charges often cause many people to become so far in debt that they cannot get out of it. However, one proposed idea to get rid of these hidden charges and introduce a “pay as you go” option is not going down too well with consumers.

Barclaycard has issued a warning to potential new students, to stay away from credit cards unless they can use them wisely.

Long gone are the days where supermarkets only stocked our groceries. These days you can find electrical items clothing, entertainment and even financial products in your local supermarket. It seems that supermarkets know exactly what their customers want and low interest rate credit cards is one of the most common requested products available today.

A new study conducted by Halifax Credit Cards has shown that most people would least like to lose their credit cards, over their mobile phones and their driving license. The UK’s love affair with credit cards has been around for years now and it shows little signs of slowing down.

The fight to become greener has caused millions of people to reconsider how they live their lives. It has also caused many of us to question businesses on how they package their goods and in a way credit cards have also come under fire. There are more credit cards around today than there are people. With so much plastic being used and constantly thrown away, consumers are now starting to question just how green this really is.

When it comes to our pin codes, often we choose the easiest numbers to remember and we stick with them. Now whilst this is obviously the best way to remember our pin numbers, sometimes sticking with the same code can cause you to become a victim of fraud.

The recent floods that have hit the UK have seen thousands of people homeless and they have put them in a financial mess. With ruined furniture, no home to go to and plenty of stress, luckily one thing that they will not have to worry about for 30 days, is their monthly credit repayment.

For many students debt is a reality that they have to face due to the high costs of university. The fees for accommodation, course fees, course equipment fees and other costs all add up and these days the average debt per student is over £10,000.

Barclaycard has unleashed three new credit cards in its Platinum range. The reason behind the introduction of three new cards is to offer more choice to the consumer. Each card will offer just over a 14% interest rate and they all have their own unique benefits.

For many, credit cards are mainly a tool that can be used to give them the finance that they need in times of need. However, for others they are simply just a status symbol, showing how much money they earn and what they can afford to buy. Split into two worlds, credit cards mean different things to different people and the trend with select credit cards seems to be catching on

It seems that whilst people in the UK know that debt is a big problem, they do not actually realise just how big their own debt problem is. Most people think they owe only half of what they do and that can be a real worry for the future.

With debt being such a big problem here in the UK, it is quite astonishing that many Brits do not actually know what a credit report is. It affects what we can apply for, whether we will be accepted for a mortgage and whether we can get the finance that we need whenever we may need it. So why do so many of us simply not have a clue when it comes to credit reports?

New shocking figures have shown that many people can take up to thirty years to pay off their credit cards. This may sound like an over the top figure, but it is true and it applies only if you pay the minimum amount off your balance each month.

When you give your personal details to a bank or to any other company, you do not expect these details to be easily accessed on the streets. However, the thing is that this is exactly what is happening in some parts of the country and this is a frightening prospect for everyone out there.

Shocking new figures have shown that roughly fifty million pounds has been spent over the past few months on credit card penalties for late payments. This is an extremely high number and it clearly shows just how much financial trouble the UK is in. With more and more people getting debt which they cannot afford to pay back, the amount of missed payments is only likely to increase as time goes on.

We all know about the ever rising debt problem which the UK is facing, yet there is hardly any sign of it letting up. To many experts it seems like debt has become almost like an addiction and many people will move on from debt to debt, until they can no longer afford the repayments.

Despite the many warnings about the ridiculously high charges that many credit card companies charge for using your card abroad, many people still prefer to take their chances. It seems that credit cards are a lot more convenient than traveller’s cheques and so many people are reluctant to stop using them on their holiday.

Due to a super complaint, the UK OFT is now set to help consumers to learn more about credit cards and the cost of having them. With all of the warnings about credit cards and their hidden fees, it is amazing that people still have no idea what those fees involve. So, whilst many will argue that the move is a complete waste of time, for others it could really help them to understand their cards a lot better than they currently do.

If you are looking out for interest free balance transfer credit cards then it would be a wise idea to get a move on and choose the best one for you. This is because lenders are quickly discovering that they are losing a lot of money on these deals and so they are bringing them to an end.

The main reason why most people like credit cards is because they are really convenient to use. They take up very little space in your pocket, they can be used quickly and easily in hundreds of stores and the best part is that you do not see the money that you are spending and so often you feel less guilty than you usually would.

When you have a poor credit history it can often be extremely difficult to get the finance that you need. With banks and other lenders clamping down on the people they lend to, often you can be turned away without luck and that in turn can affect your credit rating

Whilst it may not come as surprising news to many people, studies have shown that our love of credit cards has trebled over the last decade. The study which was conducted by ‘Apacs’ the UK payments Association, showed that last year spending on credit cards made up just under a third of our spending within the UK.

Most people these days would love to give a portion of their money to charity but they never think that they can afford it. However, with a charity credit card it makes it extremely easy to help out the charity of your choice with no real effort. All you have to do is apply, receive your card and spend as you normally would

BT has launched a new credit card which offers its consumers money off their broadband and phone bills. However, whilst they may sound like a good idea, it seems that you do have to spend quite a lot on the card to get a small amount of money off your monthly bills.

There seems to be an endless number of credit card and general debt management websites being launched as time goes on. With debt being at its highest level in the UK, it is hardly surprising that more and more companies are cashing in on this lucrative business. However, whilst many companies are there just to make as much money as possible from you, others are being set up to give you genuine advice.

Studies have shown that many consumers still do not understand how their credit card issuer works out which debts they repay first. It was the Nationwide Building Society which carried out the survey and over 60% of consumers did not give the correct answers as to how their credit card repayments are processed.

The OFT have recently been accused by website ‘Which?’ of delaying the problems which many consumers have with credit cards. Instead of tackling the problem which people seem to have with issuers who work out interest in a number of different ways, the OFT have decided to do a larger review of the problem.

When it comes to choosing a credit card, what exactly is it that you look out for? Well for most people it seems that the brand name and the reputation of a company is the most important factor to look at, despite the fact that the APR levels may be higher. So why exactly is this?

It seems that some credit card issuers are finding a loophole in the system which states that they cannot charge more than £12 for a late payment. The OFT introduced the new laws earlier on in the year and since then credit card issuers have been doing all they can to introduce new charges to make up for the money lost on late fees.

With the new law stating that credit card fraud can no longer be reported to the police, is it really showing that police are not taking the problem seriously? That is what some consumers think and whilst originally people thought these new changes could be a benefit to the system, now they are wondering what the true cause behind the change actually is.

It is thought that Britons today are a lot more aware of the rip off offers they get through the post. Most seem to opt for credit card offers that they seek out, rather than just accepting any old deal which pops through the post

When it comes to withdrawing money from an ATM, usually we do it with debit cards. The whole point of a credit card is to have money when you wouldn’t normally have it and you do not even have to look at it which makes spending on the card a lot easier. However, there are some consumers who do like to withdraw money from their credit cards and the trouble is, it comes with an exceptionally large interest rate.

As the 20th anniversary of the debit card finally arrives, it is thought that debit cards are now seeming to take over in popularity from credit cards. Just over 40 million people have now got a debit card and that is the highest the number has ever been.

With news of Barclaycard reducing its minimum monthly fees in order to help consumers, it has caused a bit of a stir with debt experts. Now you would think that lowering monthly repayments would be a blessing for consumers, but some debt experts are claiming that it could make the debt problem worse within Britain and the answer is to actually higher the monthly repayments rather than lowering them.

When comparison websites were first introduced they were like a blessing, helping consumers to save as much money as possible. However with so many of them available now it can often be confusing for consumers to find what they are looking for and that is certainly true for those looking for a good deal on a credit card.

Over the last year more and more people have been getting loans and spending on their credit cards for energy efficient home improvements. It is thought that some improvements can add value to the home of up to £5,000 and homeowners are picking up on this and doing their houses up before making a sale.

As summer approaches it is time to start thinking about your annual summer holiday. A week or two of pure relaxation and no work to worry about is most people’s idea of absolute bliss. However, there is one thing that could potentially ruin that blissful holiday you have been longing for over the past year and that is financial protection.

Research which was currently carried out by Barclays has shown that around one in ten households are hiring domestic staff to help them. Most are hiring cleaners and then the rest include gardeners, people who do the ironing and nannies. It just goes to show that Britain is currently suffering from too much work and too little time left over for anything else.

New studies which have been conducted have shown that more then one fifth of credit card users are not happy with their current provider. However, rather than switching it seems that consumers like to stick with their provider for an average of six years.

When it comes to stress most of it is usually caused by money trouble. So many relationships fail because of financial struggles and life can seem pretty miserable. However, new studies have shown that more stress tends to come from being lonely rather than being in debt. So is your stress really caused by credit card debt or are you just looking for a little attention?

It is thought that whilst annual fees are currently just a threat to millions of consumers, by the end of the decade they will be part of everyday life. Banks and credit card companies have lost a lot of profits through complaints and since various fees have been stopped by UK watchdogs.

As surprising as it may seem, Britons do appear to be worried about credit card fraud. With the constant warnings to protect credit card details and to be careful who you give information to, it seems the message finally is sinking in for most consumers. However that does not mean that credit card spending in slowing down

Those of us who use credit cards to withdraw money from ATMs are paying the price for this convenience. Since November 2006 the annual percentage rate (APR) has risen by over 2% from 21.27% to 23.48%. In some extreme cases where customers have poor credit ratings this figure can rise to as high as 46%.

It has been said many times before but could you really be saving money by switching your credit card? People know that it is sometimes better to switch cards but did you know that you could be saving up to £2,500 per year on your credit card repayments? That is a lot of money and no doubt you could be spending it on other, more enjoyable things.

Natwest, MINT and The Royal Bank of Scotland have all announced new deals on their credit cards. You can benefit from up to 13 months interest free on all balance transfers and up to 3 months for all purchases.

New studies have shown that many consumers spend up to 15% of their annual income on credit card purchases. This is a large sum of money and often we do not even realise how much we are actually spending.

There are so many credit cards to choose from, how do you choose? APR is obviously critical, and 0% balance transfers may be important to you. But what if you have no need to transfer, and you pay off all your outstanding balance every month, rendering APR unimportant? Well, then you might look at the loyalty schemes on offer to help you make a choice. Here’s a round up of what’s about right now.

If you have a Barclaycard and if you do not use it very often then you should prepare yourself for a small annual fee. The fee of £20-£30 per year is set to be introduced by the company to the minority of its customers who do not use their card frequently enough.

There has been a lot of media attention regarding switching over your credit card company in order to get the best deals and it seems that people are finally starting to listen.

New studies have shown that women tend to carry their personal details and their credit cards in their handbags; risking their identity and leaving them vulnerable to fraudsters.

People across Britain are thought to be in debt because they have no idea what their credit card terms and conditions actually mean.

Barclaycard are targeting those people who have not used their card for 12months or who are not considered to be spending enough on their cards in their attempt to lift profits after banks were forced to cut back illegal penalty charges.

New studies have shown that UK consumers are now starting to be a lot more careful with their credit card payments. After countless warning about the rise in debt levels, it seems many consumers are now starting to listen to the advice which is given to them.

Credit Awareness Week was started to help consumers to get a better knowledge of their finances and to try and help them to understand their debts. Whilst running, it studied consumer’s attitudes and patterns when it came to spending and it seems that more than half of Britons admit that they are terrible with money.

The new Laura Ashley store card has caused quite a stir as many consumers have been wrongly sent the new cards.

Shocking new figures have been released which shows why experts fear for Britons finances. We all know that the level of debt is becoming ridiculous, but these new figures show that unless something changes and soon, we are only going to make things worse for ourselves.

Despite the many warnings which consumers have received, it still seems that many are constantly being conned into really expensive insurance offers.

Whether you prefer to apply online or offline, HSBC have now given you the chance to benefit from a credit card 0% offer. There are two versions of the offer, one for if you apply online and one for if you apply offline. They are both slightly different yet they still offer 0% for a limited time period.

It seems that the hold back on credit card spending after Christmas has now finally ended. With more and more consumers finally feeling safe to spend again, credit cards are becoming more and more popular.

HSBC has become the only bank to offer overseas customers the chance to get a loan and transfer their credit histories to over 25 different countries. Usually people who move to Western countries find it really difficult to obtain credit or even simply open a bank account because they do not have the means of transferring their credit history. So with HSBC offering this new service, it will be a large help to many people.

Although the TK Maxx hacker managed to steal millions of pounds worth of money from consumers, the real damage has apparently been to the retailers.

With all of the talk about global warming and becoming greener these days it is hardly surprising that customers are demanding greener services. Credit cards are one such service which consumers are asking for and they would love to see more credit cards offer green friendly services.

We all like a little convenience but in Japan convenience is part of everyday life. They have created wave and pay credit cards which do not even have to go into a reader for you to pay for an item.

The company VeriSign wants to see temporary passwords placed onto credit cards when we purchase an item. The passwords will replace current security key fobs and they will contain a password for online banking for example.

Everything these days seems to be so complicated and most things that we do are usually picked up on by someone else. There are risks to use everywhere and one of the biggest risks these days seems to be credit card fraud.

Lloyds TSB are delighted to become AIRMILES’ official financial services partner.

A recent major UK fraud scheme based across petrol stations throughout the country has been blamed upon Sri Lankan terrorists. They are said to be using the money to fund attacks in their home countries.

Credit card debt management schemes are fast becoming more and more popular. Offering you the chance to clear your debts and to be more in control of your finances, who wouldn’t want to take advantage of the schemes available?

Credit cheques used to be classed as a convenient way to pay for our shopping. However as the years have gone on, the cheque has become less and less common and now some supermarkets have even stopped allowing the credit cheques altogether.

Natwest and easyJet are set to team up in order to offer consumers better travel rewards. EasyJet is doing this for the first time and it is set to be a really big hit with the consumers!

If you have recently moved to the UK and you are finding it hard to find the right bank account and credit card provider to suit your needs, then TSB may just be the answer.

A new survey created by Halifax Credit Cards has shown that around £13.5 billion is being spent a year on furniture and furnishings on our credit cards. Broken down into average individual terms that is £531.50 per household. So do you spend your credit card balance on furniture?

Due to many of its customer’s demands, Barclaycard is set to go green in order to help to reduce global carbon emissions. The new credit card will offer good incentives to its customers in order to help to persuade them to go green. But will it work?

It is the end of the month and that feeling of dread is starting to build. It is time for your monthly credit card statement to pop through the door. Most people are not looking forward to seeing how much they owe and so when the statement does eventually fall through the door it is tempting to just hide it and pretend like it is not even there.

Together with the Co-operative bank, Shelter has launched a credit card where 25p of every £100 spent goes to the charity. It is the latest in a long line of charity cards, but is it really worth it?

According to a study done in America, the most common place where 40% of identity theft is found is in restaurants. Now here in the UK a lot of identity theft is also started in restaurants, after all – it is when you are at your most relaxed and you are enjoying your evening. That is when the identity fraudsters strike and you are left with a very empty bank account.

Over the Easter period people generally decide to go away on holiday in order to get away from it all. However, whilst they are there, they also tend to mount up a lot of debt on their credit cards.

A new study has found that one of the main reasons why teenagers are in so much debt is because they simply have no clue when it comes to their cards.

If you are a consumer who frequently uses a credit card for in store purchases, you may have been worried lately about just how safe your credit card details are when you are paying at the counter.

Due to the increase in credit card fraud, APACS has recently announced new rules for reporting credit card fraud straight to your bank.

Do you know your credit score? If the answer is no then you are certainly not alone. However, this could potentially be causing you several problems and it can in fact cause you to get yourself into debt. So how do you find out your credit score?

It has been known for months now about the TK Maxx hacking problem, yet it is only now that the true damage to UK customers have finally been revealed.

Customers have long been annoyed by the often ridiculously high credit card interest charges and now Which? the consumer watchdog has launched a super complaint.

It has been reported previously that various credit card companies and banks were going to get tougher on people applying for their credit cards. Well now figures show that around three million people have been turned down in the past six months – a figure which is only likely to rise.

Millions of people have one these days, yet it seems that there are some who are still pretty clueless when it comes to their credit cards. They do not bother to find out what APR means or what they are paying and they generally just spend on the card without thinking about it. This can cause problems however, so just why are some people still clueless when it comes to their credit cards?

New measures were introduced in 2005 which meant that credit card companies lost out on various charges. However, these measures made these companies think of alternative ways in which they could make money and one of those ways included charging high costs for cash withdrawals.

Card fraud losses fell by three per cent in the past year, says UK payments association APACS. In the past two years, card fraud has fallen by nearly £80 million to £428 million. There has been a 13 per cent decline in UK domestic fraud and a reduction of more than £45 million in mail non receipt and lost and stolen fraud.

Credit card providers are looking for new ways to maintain their income and they are making changes to their cards to do so, says Moneyfacts analyst Michelle Slade.

New Studies have shown that Britons borrow a massive £360 million every single day with £36 million a day being spent on people’s credit cards. If you split this down to individuals, it seems that each person in Briton with a card is gathering just over £5 a day onto their balance.

Even though credit card usage is on the rise, new studies have shown that many people still prefer to pay using cash, and notes in particular are proving to be extremely popular.

Lloyds TSB are set to introduce a new fraud alert service where an automated message rings you when fraud is suspected on your account.

More and more people are feeling the effects of fraud each and every single day. Now it seems that the fraudsters have managed to clone cards and use them abroad.

It seems that where you live tends to have an effect on whether you take advantage of credit card royalty schemes. In London the people there are the best consumers for taking out royalty credit cards and they gather back roughly just over £300 worth of cash back or vouchers.

According to figures just released, credit and debit card fraud fell by 3% throughout 2006.

Ever since 2005, consumers had to cope with no complimentary travel insurance from their credit card providers. However, now it seems that that is about to change and some people do actually have travel insurance on their cards without even realising it.

It is that time of year again where charity work is encouraged and everywhere is gearing up to raise money for causes such as Children in Need and Comic Relief. There are so many ways in which people can get involved and one of those ways is through a charity credit card.

Shocking new studies have shown that Britons know more about groceries than they do about their credit cards. When asked, only 6% of the people taking the survey said that they were confident in their knowledge regarding their financial products. However is it really that much of a shock?

The Bank of America must have known that when it announced that its new credit card may be tested on illegal immigrants, it would cause quite a debate. The obvious risks that it presents have sparked outrage and critics have even suggested a boycott.

Many credit card companies have been using unfair tactics to con more money out of their customers. Not many people realise that their credit card company could be making a fool out of them and forcing them to pay more than they should have to. However if you have ever noticed that your bills sometimes are arriving a little late, making your payments slightly overdue through no fault of your own, then that is one of the ways in which you are being conned.

If you are currently unhappy with your credit card provider and you are thinking of switching, do you know the right way to go about it? You may think that it is a simple procedure where you just tell the company you are moving and that is all that there is to it, but in fact it can be a little more complicated than that!

In January there seemed to be a slight decline in credit card application and it seems that the decline has not yet ended.

Lloyds bank is set to make its customers extremely unhappy by charging those who do not use their credit cards as much as others. It is thought that a £35 charge is going to be given to those people who do not use the cards very often.

In America parents have come up with a new way of helping their children learn all about the responsibilities of money, and that is through a credit card!

Credit card debt is a big problem throughout the world and the UK has seen a record number of bad debts rise over the past year alone.

Cities around America are preparing to launch a new vending machine which is credit card friendly. This is set to help the millions of people who constantly try and find loose change to put into the vending machines, but who find that they don’t actually have any.

A new credit card reader is set to be launched within the UK in the hope that it will cut down credit card fraud.

UK banks are set to announce that their profits have risen substantially over the last year. Despite bad debts, banks have still managed to make a huge profit and Barclays alone are celebrating a £7 billion profit within the last year.

In January 2007, more than one million people failed to pay off their credit card bill from their Christmas spending. Christmas is a busy period and people are thought to spend at least £300 on their cards for presents as well as for festive food and drink.

It seems that our credit cards are used everywhere these days – even the local pub! With more and more people opting to carry cards over cash, they risk becoming seriously in debt due to overspending.

According to new studies, where you live could actually affect your chances of falling victim to credit card fraud. This could be for a number of reasons but whatever those reasons are, if you live in a credit card fraud risk area then you will have to be extra careful with your personal details!

It seems that the levels of bad debt have finally forced many credit card companies and banks to consider what they are offering. Many have decided to change the way that they lend money due to the ever rising levels of bad debt around the UK.

Let’s face it, when we go around spending on our credit cards we can often lose track of what we are spending. Those little things here and there really can add up and then at the end of the month a large bill gets dropped through our doors which we just do not recognise.

You would think with all of the bad debt within the UK today, that credit companies would start being a little bit stricter with their credit cards. However, it seems that creditors simply do not care about their consumers as they constantly fail to check people’s credit records when they apply for a credit card.

New figures show that by missing just one single payment on a 0% balance transfer credit card could cost as much as £278.

Over the past few years people have started to wake up to the fact that pensions these days are not usually enough to get by when they retire. This is mainly down to the fact that people just do not have enough money to save throughout their lives, especially when in order to lead a comfortable life, you need to put away most of your annual salary.

Evidence from independent comparison site uSwitch.com shows 89% of people applying for credit cards last year were not required to show any proof of income and 96% did not need to show their outgoings causing further concern that banks and building societies are offering people credit cards without any regard to whether they can actually cope with repayments.

In Washington, democratic lawyers have challenged credit card lenders over their late fees and other price rises. They say that these high price rises are predatory and they are trying to put a stop to it before it gets out of hand. So is this what the UK needs to be doing in order to solve our debt crisis? Well, it seems that it could well be worth thinking about!

Credit cards have once again come under fire due to the fact that they fail to tell consumers exactly what it is that they are letting themselves in for. Most people simply do not have a clue what they are applying for as the creditors do not inform them about certain traps that are hidden within the agreement.

A credit reference agency is urging people not to panic if they have gone a little overboard this past Christmas. It is thought that around £11.4 billion was