What is the Fair Credit Billing Act and how does it protect me?
Among other things, the federal Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) requires that a credit card issuer promptly credit your payments and correct mistakes on your…
How can I protect the bank and card accounts I access online?
Change your username and password several times per year. Never use variations of your name, children's names, pets' names, birthdate, address, etc. that could be guessed…
Should I use a credit card or a debit card when shopping online?
Consumers who have both a credit card and a debit card should use their credit card online. Credit cards offer significantly greater protections for consumers…
How can I figure out how long it will take me to pay off my credit card balance?
If you don't pay off your credit card balance in full at the end of the billing cycle (when you receive your statement), you will…
Can I use my credit card outside the U.S.?
Generally speaking, yes, you can use your card anywhere it is accepted, including in foreign countries. You may be charged a currency conversion fee or…
Will a debit card help me build a credit history?
No, debit card activity is not reported to the credit bureaus. Although debit and credit cards look the same, they are very different. With a…
Does a debit card have an expiration date?
Yes. The expiration date can be found on the card, written as XX/XX (month and year). Generally, a card can be used through the last…
I have a checking account and a linked debit card. Do I need a prepaid card?
Probably not. Careful use of a debit card (avoiding overdraft penalties and ATM fees) will nearly always be less expensive than the same spending on…
What is my financial liability if someone uses my debit card without my permission?
Your liability for unauthorized use of your ATM (automated teller machine) or debit card (ATM access plus the Visa or MasterCard logo, which allows you…
Is there a difference between signing for a debit card purchase and using my PIN?
Yes. Many stores allow you to select the debit card payment option you prefer: PIN or signature (pen).
PIN-based transactions: At many stores that have…
Can my prepaid card expire?
Prepaid cards typically display a “valid thru” date, allowing them to be used for online or phone purchases, which require that information. The card becomes…
How would I know if there were an error or fraud on my prepaid card account if I don’t receive transaction statements?
Not all prepaid card issuers issue a monthly transaction record, but all must make your transaction history available. By law, the issuer must let you…
How am I protected if my prepaid card balance is guaranteed by state money transmitter license?
Some states regulate certain financial services providers through “money transmitter” laws. These laws apply to non-bank businesses that facilitate consumer payments, including prepaid card issuers.…
Are all prepaid card balances insured by the FDIC?
Individual bank accounts are insured by the FDIC or NCUA (credit union equivalent of FDIC) for up to $250,000 per account if the bank goes…
Can a prepaid card help someone build credit?
Because a prepaid card can be used only after you load your own money on to it, it cannot help you build credit. To build…
What are the federal and state laws governing gift cards?
Under federal law, the funds on your gift card have to be good for at least five years after purchase of the card. And, if you…
Are there service fees on a gift card?
There can be. Monthly maintenance and usage (transaction) fees are two types of potential gift card fees, though not all card issuers charge them, and…
Can the gift card issuer charge a fee for a replacement card?
Gift card issuers cannot charge a fee for replacing an expired card if the replacement is required so that the cardholder can access the available…
What happens to my gift card balance if my card is lost or stolen?
Many retailers will help you recover your gift card balance, but only if you can prove you purchased the card. That means it’s important for…
Can my gift card expire?
A gift card cannot expire for at least five years after the card was purchased or the last time it was loaded with money (which, in most…
Consumer Action’s annual report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, records the organization’s efforts, activities, accomplishments and partnerships. It also highlights vital statistics about our work, discloses budget and funding information, highlights community-based organizations in our network, and lists staff and board members. Click here
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