Fred O. Williams
CreditCards.com
Washington, DC, United States
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Past articles by Fred O:
Mandatory arbitration: Most credit cards allow a way out
A CreditCards.com survey of large credit card issuers finds most offer a way to avoid mandatory arbitration clauses that strip consumers' legal rights → Read More
Credit card billing cycles: How long can they be?
There's not a limit to the number of days a monthly billing period can have, so you may end up having unusually long billing cycles. However, that doesn't mean you'll pay more interest in a year. → Read More
Cash advance: Can interest charges continue indefinitely?
If you don't want to pay interest on a cash advance indefinitely, make sure to pay the cash advance balance on your monthly statement in addition to the minimum payment. → Read More
Mastercard announces real-time bill payment
Mastercard announced a system coming in 2019 to pay bills almost instantly using new bank-to-bank payment infrastructure. → Read More
Crowdfunding credit card debt: Pros, cons
You can crowdfund your credit card debt online, but the success rates are low and there are quite a few rules and risks to consider. → Read More
Credit card debt: Making a payment doesn't stop collection lawsuit
Why making a payment on an overdue debt is the wrong thing to do when facing legal action. → Read More
Equifax breach one year later: What has changed, how to protect yourself
September 2018 marks the first anniversary of Equifax's massive breach, which prompted calls for tougher security. Continuing hacks, however, prove that breaches won't cease. → Read More
Credit card company asking for my income: Why, what you should do
Telling your income is mandatory on a card application, but voluntary once you have been approved. However, card issuers need income information to offer you a credit limit increase under Credit CARD Act rules. → Read More
Credit card rewards and cardholder satisfaction statistics
Rewards are key factor in cardholder satisfaction, with cash rebates being the most popular form of reward → Read More
Credit card payments: How quickly they should be reflected on your account
Bank regulations dictate that banks should post your payment on the day they receive it. However, payment methods and bank policies determine how quickly that can happen. → Read More
Privacy rights: As banks talk with Facebook, time to review opt-out options
With Facebook seeking customer data from banks, federal privacy protections let you opt out of some data sharing by financial institutions. → Read More
J.D. Power Satisfaction Survey 2018: Discover reclaims top rank
Rewards programs are a top factor on people's satisfaction with credit cards, JD Power's annual survey found. In 2018, Discover reclaimed the top position, with American Express in close second. → Read More
NY Fed: Credit reports show fewer debts in collection
Implementation of tighter credit reporting standards has meant a steep drop in collection demerits and an average 11-point increase in credit scores, says a New York Fed study. → Read More
CareCredit expansion: High-rate medical card reaches new markets
CareCredit, a popular medical card, is expanding to new markets, but with a 26.99 percent standard APR, consumers might be better off considering other financing options, experts say. → Read More
Banks tighten standards for card applicants, says Federal Reserve
Banks made it harder to get a credit card in the second quarter of 2018, according to the Federal Reserve's survey of bank loan officers, with subprime borrowers facing tighter approval standards. → Read More
Credit card issuers supervised by the CFPB
Concerned about anti-consumer practices related to your credit card? Rest assured – if your card was issued by a major institution, it is supervised by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. → Read More
Online sales top cause of complaints – credit cards can protect you
Internet sales are the fastest-rising consumer gripe, according to a Consumer Federation of America report. Credit cards remain the safest way to pay on the web, the report also found. → Read More
The Fine Print: Can a credit card charge interest after death?
A credit card issuer can continue to charge interest after death. However there are specific rules in place for estate that protect heirs. → Read More
ABA's Credit Card Market Monitor Q1 2018
A report by the American Bankers Association says new cards fell in first quarter of 2018 for the first time in nearly seven years. → Read More
Minimum payment: How it appears on credit card statements
On a statement, the interest-plus-1-percent formula might look like interest is counted twice -- but it actually speeds up repayment → Read More