Cool. I'm in a credit counseling program and just got

[Deja Q]

a pre-approved credit card w/ $6500 limit on it.

:wtf:

The CCCS said that, while on the program, I would not be able to get credit.

I know my payments are in good standing.

So why did I just get a credit card offer, which I sure as hell will not call to activate! (My parents said I should have one for emergencies, but I disagree with that assertion. Too easy to use and I've to live within a budget.

[Hello_Kitty]

1. If you do a lot of travelling you need a credit card

For car rentals, airline reservations, and hotels. Sometimes you can use a debit card but not all companies take them. If you don't travel much you can get by without one. If you must travel for work, try to have them set you up with a corporate card. You can only use it for business expenses. I know what you mean about credit. I'm not putting things on plastic anymore. The interest rates are killer. It's such a racket.

[Phillycat]

2. You are ABLE to get credit, you are just not ALLOWED to use

credit. In other words, if any of your creditors get word that you are using other credit (and they will, they track your credit report) you will be removed from the counseling program and your interest rates will go back up to what they were.

That said, if you have a secondary identity, you can open as many credit card accounts as you want.

[AuntieM1957]

3. Watch CCCS

I have a relative that used to work for them -

she told me that they sometimes are slow to pay the actual creditor.

They take your money on time - but may hold it for a while until they pay the creditor.

She felt like they were ripping people off.

I hope that doesn't happen to you - so watch to make sure they are paying the bills with your money!

[miss_kitty]

4. "...why did I just get a credit card offer...?"

Because the list generated to send you promos is based on parameters given the credit bureau by the grantor. If you sign and send the application in, the credit grantor has permission to run a true CBR. It should show you as R8 a code for CCCS, or other like agency

Do a search on Experian, Trans Union and Equifax. One of them gave out your info in response to a request by the grantor. you can contact them online, or by phone. Equifax used to be the best, now it's the slowest and crappiest.

They can give you and idea as to what to do to get off the lists, and verify they show your correct credit standing.

[nine23]

5. You'll find all the answers...

...in Frontline's "Secret History of the Credit Card", which ran three nights ago on PBS. If it's repeated, do yourself a favour and watch it. Study it. Live by it.

I ditched all credit cards eight years ago. I had an epiphany. (translation: "I'm being seriously fucked by Visa and MasterCard through exorbitant fees - mostly hidden, not just interest - my butt hurts, and I shant be taking it anymore." Since then, there hasn't been ONE INSTANCE where I've actually been in a situation in which I've need it.

DO NOT buy into the old "well, it comes in handy..." BS; even some posters here maintain that misleading school of thought. (My partner has a corporate card for her business. Are we tempted to use it for air tickets? No. It's called "planning", not running to the airport and getting on a plane.)

I'm quite well-traveled. I've found that you'd have to travel half-way up the Amazon (go ahead, get a map and have a look) to find a town that DOES NOT have the capability to accept a debit card from an EU/North American/Asia Pacific bank.

But I digress. You'll find all the answers as to why you received "a pre-approved credit card w/ $6500 limit on it" by watching Frontline's "Secret History of the Credit Card".