FAQ about credit cards

Credit cards can come in handy in a pinch, but can end up squeezing you dry. Finding the best rates and reading the fine print will save you from falling into a black hole of debt. Here are our most frequently asked questions about credit cards with answers from the Bankrate team of experts.

• What is a good first credit card?
  
  
• How do I get the best credit card deal?
  
  
• Should I consolidate my credit card debt?
  
  
• How do I dispute a credit card purchase?
  
  
• Are there laws capping credit card interest rates?
  
  
• How do I transfer a balance?
  
  
• How do I cancel a credit card?
  
  
• What should I do if someone opens a credit card in my name?
  
  
• How do I keep my ex from running up credit card debts on a joint account?
  
  
• How many credit cards should I have?
  

  
  

• How do credit card companies figure the minimum monthly payment?

• What happens when my credit card payment is late?
  

• What happens when I charge my credit card over the credit limit offered?
  

• If I don't pay off my balance in full, how much will it cost me in interest?
  
  
• What happens if my credit card is stolen?
  
  
• How do cash advances from a credit card work?