How can I freeze my Credit One Platinum card?

Credit One does not charge an over-limit fee when cardholders exceed their credit limit. Credit One will decline most over-limit transactions, and if a cardholder’s balance somehow goes above the approved credit limit, Credit One will not allow any further transactions on the account. To use the card again, the cardholder will have to make a payment to bring the account balance below the approved credit limit.… read full answer

Furthermore, Credit One may declare an over-limit account to be in default, which is another reason to keep your balance below your assigned limit. If you are found to be in default, Credit One may require you to pay the entire account balance immediately.

Finally, even though spending beyond a Credit One card’s credit limit will not cost you a fee, you will do damage to the credit profile you’re trying to improve. As a general rule, you should maintain a credit utilization ratio of 30% or less across all credit card accounts to avoid credit score damage.

The first thing to do when dealing with a lost Visa credit card is freeze the card through the card issuer’s website or mobile app, if possible. Next, report the lost Visa credit card to the bank or credit union that issued the card, and request a replacement. It usually takes 3-7 business days to get a replacement Visa card, but some issuers may offer expedited shipping, even for free.… read full answer

After that, take a breath. All Visa credit cards have $0 liability guarantees for unauthorized transactions, so you won’t have to pay for any fraudulent charges made with your card before you managed to freeze or report it. Once you report your card as lost, the card issuer will cancel that card number to permanently invalidate the Visa. They will then send you a replacement card. If you need the card within a few days, request expedited shipping when you speak with your card issuer. Just be sure to ask about any fees that may be assessed for rush delivery.

You can also report your lost card to Visa, but it’s not necessary. Visa will make sure that your card issuer is informed and will help you get a replacement card, but this can all be done faster by calling your card issuer directly. However, Visa can also arrange for emergency cash to be available at a bank near you within hours of your bank’s approval. This service should only be used a last resort, but it can come in handy if you’re stuck in a foreign country without a credit card.

Finally, activate your new Visa once it arrives. You can begin using your card immediately after activation. Since the former card number will no longer work, make sure to update your billing information for all recurring payments, so that you don’t get charged late fees.

It is better to keep unused credit cards open than to cancel them because even unused credit cards with a $0 balance will still report positive information to the credit bureaus each month. It is especially worthwhile to keep an unused credit card open when the account does not have an annual fee.… read full answer

Still, there are times when it may be beneficial to close your credit cards, such as to avoid expensive annual fees. And if you’re worried about your credit score, you can use WalletHub’s free credit score simulator to see the potential impact closing a credit card will have

Why It Is Better to Keep Unused Credit Cards

Just keeping unused credit cards open helps your credit by maintaining the total amount of credit you have available and preserving the length of your credit history. If you don’t use a credit card, your account will still get reported to the credit bureaus as being in good standing every month, assuming you have a $0 balance. This will continue to add positive information to your credit reports, helping your credit score.

On the other hand, when you close a credit card, especially if it’s one of your oldest credit accounts or one that has a high credit limit, your credit score will likely suffer a bit.

When It Is Better to Cancel Credit Cards

Despite the potential for credit score damage, it’s important to remember that there are a few situations when it might be better to close unused credit cards rather than leave them open. If your unused credit card charges an annual fee, for example, and you don’t need your credit score in its best shape for a while, it’s probably best to save the annual fee and close the account.

On the other hand, if you want to cancel your credit card because you are concerned about overspending, try locking it away in a safe place first. If that doesn’t work, it will likely work out better for you and your financial future to close the credit card account, even if your credit score takes a hit.