Years ago, applying for a credit card was a lengthy process. Not only did your application need filled out by hand, but you also had to mail it off to the credit card company and wait weeks before you heard whether or not your application was approved. Once the internet came around, however, the process transformed into an entirely new monster.
Applying Online The Good and the Bad
While the internet has made applying for credit more convenient than ever before, it hasnt come without its fair share of problems. Mistakes are easier to make and overlook, which can have detrimental effects on your application if they go unnoticed. Once you hit the submit button, its too late to turn back around and fix anything that may have been wrong.
If youre planning to apply for a credit card online, its crucial that you approach it carefully. To help prevent any potential mistakes, take a look at these 4 things you should always do when applying for a credit card online. Apply these methods on your next application and you can hit the submit button without a single worry or regret!
#1 Give Accurate Financial Information
Giving inaccurate financial information on a credit card application is something many people do without realizing it. Some will inflate their actual income numbers with the hopes of getting a higher credit limit, while others understate their income to try to reduce their liability should they ever go in default. Both of these scenarios will do little to help you and are asking for trouble instead.
To improve your chances of getting approved, you need to be honest. Providing information that isnt accurate can land you in hot water, so its best to provide your true and actual income if you want your application to go through without any issues or red flags.
#2 Take Your Time
Applying for a credit card online is convenient, but it can also be tricky. Web browsers can freeze up, causing you to submit your app or fields of information multiple times. This can raise issues on the back end and potentially flag your application.
With that said, dont be afraid to take your time as you move through the application process. The more you speed through it without paying attention to what youre doing, the easier it is to make errors and have your application end up in the bin of denials.
#3 Read the Terms
Are you sure that the card youre applying for is right for you? The only way to find out is by reading through the terms of the card. Nothing is worse than forgetting to check the terms of a credit card youre applying for, only to end up getting a card with a higher interest rate than you thought.
Every credit card application has a link to their terms and conditions. Find that link and read through everything to make sure it is to your liking before you submit your info.
#4 Check Everything Before You Hit Submit
Its easy to forget things or make typing errors when flying through a credit application online. Even though most applications will have a step in the process for you to review your information, many people do little more than glance over it quickly before hitting the submit button. Once that button is hit, youre committed and any chance for you to correct your information is long gone.
You should always triple check all of your information to ensure its accurate before you submit an application online. Its the best way to avoid any small mistakes that could come back to haunt you.
Sam Jones, the author, has been looking at 0 percent balance transfer credit cards on uSwitch to try and find the best possible deals for his own finances.
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