ConsumerInfo.Com, A Homestore™ Company CreditCheck Monitoring Service Credit Reporting Products CreditMatters Members

I’ve received a lot of low-interest credit card offers in the mail lately. I’m trying to pay off my debt and am wondering if it’s a good idea to get a card with an intro APR and then dump it in favor of another when the intro APR is up?

Hopping from card to card to get the lowest interest rate can be appealing, however you can risk damaging your credit rating. Every time you apply for credit, lenders will check your credit history. When they pull your credit report, it is recorded as an inquiry and will stay on your report for two years. A lender considering you for a loan will look at how many times you’ve applied for credit and possibly draw some conclusions. A large number of inquiries occurring in a short period of time may be interpreted as a sign that you are overextending yourself or are applying for lots of credit because of financial difficulty. So, it may make sense to take advantage of the best of the offers that can guarantee a low rate for a long period of time. But if you’re planning on applying for a large loan, such as a mortgage, soon, then you may want to consider forgoing any additional low-interest cards in the name of your credit rating.



FREE Email Newsletter
YES! I want to receive the ConsumerInfo.com email newsletter and select special offers.
First Name:
Last Name:
Email Address:
Zip Code:
 
 



Email Newsletter   |   Refer a Friend
Free Online Credit Report   |   3 Bureau Online Credit Report   |   Instant Credit Report
Privacy Notice   |   Contact CreditMatters   |   About Us
CreditMatters Home

Experian Interactive Companies
PriceGrabber.com|LowerMyBills.com|FreeCreditReport.com|ClassesUSA.com

Copyright © 2002 CreditMatters, a ConsumerInfo.Com Site.
All Rights Reserved.

Terms of Service