The Halloween season is fast approaching and as the month of November draws near, cardholders are advised to be more aware of how they use their credit cards to avoid being tricked.  So how can you make sure that your credit card is treating you fairly and not trying to trick you?  Consider the following tips:

Read the fine print.  The best protection against credit card tricks is to read the fine print.  If you plan to apply for a new credit card, take the time to understand the complete Terms and Conditions.  On the other hand, if you had been using your credit card for quite some time, it is still a good idea to review the rules once in awhile.  This way, you can be informed in case your issuer has increased your rate or made some changes in the conditions.

Watch out for the teaser rate.  A popular trick credit card issuers use to attract new customers is to offer a low interest rate.  Many people are easily enticed to sign up for a card because of the initial low rate.  However, once you signed up, you may be surprised to discover that the low rate is only good for a few months and that the regular rate will be much higher as soon as the introductory period expires.

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Say no to gift card tricks.  Sometimes, credit card companies may send gift cards to their customers to encourage them to spend.  While it may seem like a good deal, you may incur additional charges upon using the gift card.

Dispute unauthorized charges.  Don’t be tricked into paying debts that you did not owe.  As soon as your credit card statement arrives, carefully examine it and make sure that there are no unauthorized or incorrect charges.  In case you discover errors in your bill, call up your credit card issuer immediately.  Typically, credit cardholders are provided with liability protection against unauthorized charges as well as purchase protection so you can make disputes more easily.

Avoid bad credit trap.  Consumers must also be very careful not to get stuck in bad credit this holiday season.  Do you plan to use your credit card to buy things that you need for the Halloween?  If yes, be careful that you do not exceed your budget.

Make a list of all the items you plan to buy before going to the supermarket or to the department store.  This is the best way to avoid unplanned or unnecessary purchases.  If it is not on your list, do not buy it even if the item is on sale.

Calculate the costs of all items and check whether your credit limit is sufficient to accommodate all your charges.  It’s best not to charge all your Halloween expenses to your credit card even if it fits your limit. By keeping your charges minimal, it will be much easier for you to pay off your full balance on time and avoid interest rate and penalty fees.

About the Author
Melanie Mathis is a credit analyst and a writer for 8 years. She has been participating in the programs of http://www.newhorizon.org such as their continuous effort in giving out Free Credit Repair and Building Ebook. NHBS also has a list of recommended Bad Credit Credit Cards

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About Melanie Mathis

Melanie Mathis is a credit analyst and a writer for 8 years. She has been participating in the programs of NHBS, Inc such as their continuous effort in giving out Free Credit Repair and Building Ebook. Connect with Melanie Mathis on Google+