Credit cards for people with bad credit

Mainstream lenders typically shy away from people with bad credit history or those new to credit, this is mainly because of the perceived risk of not being able to keep up payments.

However, a bad credit history doesn't mean you can't get a credit card as there are providers who specialise in this area.

The cards they offer are very similar to normal credit cards with the main difference being that interest charges are usually higher; this is because of the risk associated with having a bad credit rating.

Below is a brief summary of such credit cards, visit card issuer's website for full details:

Advantages

1. Access to credit
A poor credit history is meant to be an indicator of bad financial management or irresponsibility, card issuers use it to weed out potentially high risk borrowers. However, the credit score does not always tell the full story; some people end up with poor credit due to mistakes, some can change and become better at financial management.

Credit cards for people with bad credit are a means for those who've had a CCJ, IVA, defaults or other financial difficulties to get access to credit. They're also a good starting point for people who've had no credit before in the UK.

2. Improve your credit rating
The positive thing about credit ratings is that they constantly change; however bad yours is, you can always improve it over time.

The most effective way to improve a credit rating is by exercising financial responsibility, usage of such a card is one of the ways you can prove that you're financially responsible; if you use the card regularly, make at least the minimum payment each month, make the payments on time and never go over the authorised limit, your credit score will go up by a few points each month and might eventually overturn a bad rating.

Alternatives

1. Prepaid cards
These are top-up cards whereby you deposit money onto the card before you can use it for shopping on the internet or on the highstreet.
Prepaid credit cards are an ideal option for people with very bad credit history as they do not require a credit check or even a bank account. The downside is that they can not be used to improve your credit rating, there's no excercise of financial responsibility.

2. Joint credit cards
If a spouse or family member has better credit history than you, you may consider applying for a joint credit card; essentially these are normal credit cards whereby more than one account holder is allowed, most credit card issuers allow joint accounts, even with one of the account holders having bad credit history.

The advantage is that you're likely to get a better interest rate than you would should you apply for a credit card with bad credit individually. It also improves your credit rating just as a singularly held credit card would.

Note:
A joint credit card also means joint responsibility; any mistakes, such as a late or missed payment affects all account holders regardless of who's duty it is to make the payment, therefore it is important to take extra care should you decide to go for this option.

Similar Pages:
Loans for people with bad credit - Bad credit credit cards
Bad credit Loan - Unsecured Loans with bad credit