credit card Archives | Page 30 of 40

Nov

2022

All About Gas Credit Cards

By Dan Miller | Credit, credit card, Family Finances | Comments Off

For many people, gas and fuel purchases are one of the biggest parts of the monthly budget. So it’s no wonder that many people look for ways to save on gas. Gas credit cards can be one option to earn a rebate on gas purchases, either in the form of cash back or other types of credit card rewards.

There are many different types of gas credit cards, each with their own pros and cons. Some gas credit cards work only at one particular chain of gas stations, while others offer rewards no matter where you buy gas and may even give rewards on some non-fuel purchases. Understanding the different types of gas credit cards can help you choose the best gas credit card for your specific situation.

Recommended: Average Gas Prices by State

What Is a Gas Credit Card?

A gas credit card is a term that can refer to a number of different types of credit cards. One might be a standard credit card that earns bonus credit card points on all gas purchases. Another type of gas credit card is one that is co-branded with an actual gas station and gives rewards at that gas station. There are also gas credit cards that are designed more for companies with large fleets of vehicles.

How Do Gas Credit Cards Work?

Gas credit cards work in much the same way that any other credit cards work. Most gas credit cards run on a major credit card processing network like Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. That means that even if you might think of it as a gas credit card, it can be used anywhere those types of cards are accepted.

Types of Gas Credit Cards

There are a few different types of gas credit cards put out by various credit card issuers. Here are a few of the most common types of cards to consider if you want to save money on gas.

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General-Purpose Gas Credit Cards

General-purpose gas credit cards are credit cards that earn rewards on a variety of different purchases. They may have gas as one possible bonus category, or they may earn the same high rewards rate on all purchases. The SoFi credit card is an example of a cash-back rewards credit card that allows you to earn cash back on all purchases, including at gas stations.

Gas Station Co-Branded Credit Cards

A gas station co-branded credit card is generally marketed and primarily branded for one particular gas station (BP, Shell, Marathon, etc.). These types of cards are often referred to as “co-branded” because they are branded with both a gas station brand and the brand of the bank that issues it. While these are also usually part of a major credit card processing network like Visa or Mastercard, the rewards they earn are typically targeted to the main “branded” gas station chain.

Fleet Gas Cards

A fleet gas card or fleet fuel card is a different type of gas credit card entirely, and is targeted more toward businesses that have to manage a large fleet of vehicles. A transportation manager can give fleet cards to individual employees, allowing them to pay for things like fuel, repairs, and maintenance without having to pay out of pocket and get reimbursed. The transportation manager can then track and account for all of the disparate charges centrally.

Recommended: What is a Charge Card?

How Different Types of Gas Cards Compare

If you’re choosing a rewards credit card, there are a few questions that you’ll want to ask yourself:

• Ease of use: Is this a gas card that can only be used at one particular gas station, or can it be used anywhere?

• Rewards: Does the reward structure of the card match up with your spending patterns?

• Fees: What kind of fees does the card have? Avoiding credit card fees is an important part of choosing the right card.

Which Type of Gas Credit Card Is Right for You?

Trying to determine what’s the best credit card for gas for you? Here’s a look at who two of the most common types of gas credit cards may suit.

Who Gas Rewards Cards Are Best For

The following types of people might be best served by a general purpose credit card that happens to offer rewards on gas purchases:

• Consumers who frequently shop at multiple different gas stations.

• Infrequent travelers who spend much more in other categories than they do at gas stations.

• People looking to maximize their credit card miles or cash back.

Who Gas Station Credit Cards Are Best For

These consumers might find that the best gas credit card for them is a gas station credit card:

• Consumers who spend an above average amount at gas stations.

• Travelers who frequently fill up at the same gas station chain every time.

• Employees who are given a gas station credit card by their employer and are mandated to use it.

Are Gas Credit Cards Generally Worth It?

For many consumers, gas and fuel purchases are one of the biggest spending categories each month. Just like improving gas mileage, earning cash back or other credit card rewards can help offset some of your fuel cost each month. Just make sure to compare the different gas card options to find the best gas credit card for your situation.

The Takeaway

There are a variety of different cards that can be considered gas credit cards. Some gas credit cards are more general rewards credit cards that happen to give a bonus on gas purchases. Other gas station cards have rewards targeted to one particular gas station brand. Still other gas cards are used by companies with large fleets to help manage their transportation expenses.

One general purpose gas credit card is the SoFi credit card. You can earn cash-back rewards points on gas and all other purchases when you apply and are approved for a SoFi credit card.

The SoFi Credit Card offers unlimited 2% cash back on all eligible purchases. There are no spending categories or reward caps to worry about.¹

Take advantage of this offer by applying for a SoFi credit card today.

FAQ

Is there a credit card only for gas?

There are some gas credit cards that work only at specific gas stations and do not work for other purchases. Other gas cards are branded with a particular gas station’s color and branding (such as BP, Shell, or Marathon) but are still part of a major credit processing network (like Visa, Mastercard, or American Express). That means that you can use the card anywhere those networks are accepted.

What is the best fuel card to get?

The best fuel card to get is the one that maximizes the rewards based on your unique and specific spending patterns. If you always shop at the same gas station, you might be better off with a card that’s specific to that brand. If you shop at different gas stations or want to earn rewards on non-fuel purchases, you may want to consider a more generic rewards credit card that happens to also earn rewards on gas purchases.

Do gas cards help build credit?

Whether gas cards help build credit depends on specifically what kind of gas credit card it is. If it is a store-specific card that is not part of a major credit card processing network, it likely does not report purchases and credit history to the major credit bureaus. In that case, it likely will not help you build your credit history.

Photo credit: iStock/kckate16

Nov

2022

What To Do if Someone Opened a Credit Card in Your Name

By Timothy Moore | Credit, credit card, Family Finances | Comments Off

Has someone opened a credit card in your name? While you might feel panicked and overwhelmed, it’s important to act fast. There are clear steps you can take to stop the fraudster in their tracks and avoid any harm to your credit score and bank account.

In this piece, we’ll outline:

• How to find out if someone opened a credit card in your name

• What to do when someone opens a credit card in your name

• What to do if a family member commits identity theft

Finding Out That Someone Opened a Credit Card in Your Name

You won’t always immediately know that someone has stolen your identity. However, there are several ways to stay on top of potential identity theft and keep it from getting out of control.

Watch out for some of these common signs of credit card fraud:

• Bills in the mail for an unfamiliar account in your name

• Email or text notifications for a new account opening that you did not initiate

• Notification that an account in your name has gone to a debt collections agency

• Notification from an identity monitoring service or free credit monitoring service that a new account has been opened

• Unfamiliar activity while reviewing your free credit report

• An unexplained drop in your credit score

• Credit application rejection because of a drop in your score

Recommended: Credit Card Scams You Should Know About

7 Steps to Take When Someone Opens a Credit Card in Your Name

“Someone opened a credit card in my name. What should I do?”

It’s a question you never want to have to ask — yet it can happen to anybody. In 2021, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received 2.8 million fraud reports from consumers, though it’s likely that many more cases of fraud went unreported.

If your identity has been stolen, it’s important to take a breath but remain focused. Knowing what to do if someone applies for a credit card in your name allows you to act quickly. That’s why we’ve put together seven steps to take as soon as you realize someone has opened a credit card in your name.

1. Contact the Bank or Card Issuer

You may not be a customer of the specific financial institution where the credit card was opened, but that doesn’t mean you can’t call them. In fact, the first thing you should do is contact the credit card issuer’s fraud department and file a report. You can usually find the bank’s customer service information online.

The credit card issuer should be able to close the account during the fraud investigation. But if they won’t, you can ask them to freeze the account until the investigation is complete.

Just in case, it’s a good idea to change the username and password of major online accounts, including your email and online bank logins.

2. Report the Identity Theft to the FTC

The report you file with the credit card issuer is the first of many. Next, file an identity theft report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov . The FTC will create a recovery plan and issue you an Identity Theft Report, which you may need when working with the credit card issuer and credit bureaus. When you file the report online, you’ll even be able to access form letters to send to creditors about the fraud.

3. File a Police Report

The FTC also recommends filing a police report any time your identity is stolen. The police can provide you with a copy of the report, which may be helpful in closing new accounts, disputing fraudulent charges, and working with credit bureaus to repair your credit report.

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4. Consider a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze

To further protect your identity, the FTC recommends that you place a free, one-year fraud alert on your credit report. You should only have to contact one of the three credit bureaus — Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax — and that bureau must coordinate with the other two. Such alerts ensure that lenders are more thorough in verifying your identity before awarding a line of credit in your name.

Victims of identity fraud can choose between two fraud alerts: initial and extended.

• Initial fraud alerts last one year but don’t require evidence of identity theft.

• Extended fraud alerts require the FTC Identity Theft Report and last for seven years. They also remove you from any credit card and insurance offers for the next five years.

You may also want to freeze your credit report with each of the three credit bureaus. To do so, you’ll need to contact each bureau independently. When you freeze your credit report, creditors won’t be able to access it unless you temporarily unfreeze it. This prevents fraudsters from opening credit in your name.

5. Check Your Credit Reports in Detail

As a consumer, you have access to a free credit report every year from AnnualCreditReport.com , and that increases to two a year if you have an extended fraud alert. Creating accounts with individual credit bureaus may also get you access to free credit reports.

It’s important to comb through your credit report upon becoming a victim of credit card fraud. Doing so allows you to identify any other fraudulent accounts or activity you may not yet be aware of.

6. Dispute Fraud with Credit Bureaus

To protect your credit score and remove fraudulent activity found in your report, you’ll need to contact the credit bureaus. You can dispute the fraud online with all three bureaus:

• Dispute fraud at Experian

• Dispute fraud at Equifax

• Dispute fraud at TransUnion

You’ll need a valid copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report for this process, as well as proof of identity and a letter that details which information on the report is fraudulent. Credit bureaus can then work with creditors on any fraudulent account and block them from sending your information to debt collectors.

7. Remove Charges and Close the Account

Some credit card issuers and banks will immediately remove false charges and close the fraudulent account when you contact them in step one. However, if they could not do that when you first filed, it’s a good idea to get back in touch with them now that you have reports from the FTC and local police.

At this point, you should be able to close the fraudulent account and remove any fraudulent charges.

Recommended: Changing the Name on Your Credit Card

What If a Relative Opens the Card in Your Name?

Because of their close proximity to personal information, family members can more easily commit identity fraud. While we’d like to think a loved one would never steal our identity, it does happen, especially to children and seniors.

In fact, nearly 73% of child identity fraud is committed by a friend or family member with access to the child’s information. Identity theft is also a form of elder abuse — and for that, 60% of the perpetrators are family members.

You now know what to do when someone opens a credit card in your name. But what about when it’s a family member you care about? While it’s ultimately your decision, you risk significant damage to your financial future by not taking action.

Not only will you be on the hook for any expenses in your name and damage done to your credit score, but you’ll also face other future barriers:

• Your lower credit score may make it more difficult to rent an apartment, get utilities turned on, or find discounts on auto insurance.

• You may have issues with government support, student loans, and even tax returns if the family member is using your identity in more than one way.

• You could obtain a criminal record if the family member uses your identity when/if arrested. You also risk being complicit in a crime if you do not report the family member who is committing identity theft.

Ultimately, the steps are the same when reporting a friend or family member, whether it’s a spouse (or an ex), sibling, parent, child, or another relative. You may face one additional task — and that’s confronting the family member before filing your reports.

The Takeaway

Identity theft is a stressful experience and can have lasting effects on your credit and finances. When someone opens a credit card in your name, it’s crucial that you stay calm and act fast by filing reports with the credit card issuer, FTC, police, and credit bureaus. By taking swift action, you may be able to avoid long-term damage to your finances.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

FAQ

What happens if someone applies for a credit card in your name?

If someone applies for a credit card in your name, it’s important to remain calm and act fast. You’ll need to file reports with the credit card issuer, FTC, local police, and credit bureaus. You may want to put fraud alerts and/or freezes on your credit report and work closely with the credit card issuer to remove any fraudulent charges and close the account.

How do I stop someone from opening a credit card in my name?

While identity theft can happen to anyone, you can make it more difficult for fraudsters to open a credit card in your name by freezing your credit report. You can also put a fraud alert on your account and use credit and identity monitoring services to get notifications about any suspicious activity. Reviewing your bills, bank activity, credit score, and credit report regularly are all helpful ways to detect fraud.

Can someone open a credit card with my Social Security number?

It is possible for a person to use your Social Security number to open a credit card in your name. Thus, keeping your Social Security number private and secure is important for protecting your identity.

Photo credit: iStock/Prostock-Studio

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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Nov

2022

No Annual Fee and No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards

By Jackie Lam | Credit, credit card | Comments Off

If you bought something while traveling in a foreign country, you might get charged what’s known as a foreign transaction fee. On top of that cost, you could also pay an annual fee on your credit card, which is essentially a charge just for the privilege of using the card.

Depending on the credit card issuer and the card, there are specific rules around these fees and how much they run. Plus, there are some credit cards with no foreign transaction fees and no annual fees at all.

Opting for a no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee credit card may seem like the obvious choice when selecting a card — and often it is. However, there are some scenarios when avoiding fees won’t be a cardholder’s top priority.

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What Are Foreign Transaction Fees and When Are They Applied?

As mentioned, a foreign transaction fee is a charge that you might pay when you make a purchase on your credit card while in a foreign country. For instance, you might get charged a foreign transaction fee when buying a ticket to visit a museum or dining at a restaurant abroad. These fees might also get tacked on when you take out money from an ATM in another country.

You don’t necessarily have to be in a foreign country to get charged a foreign transaction fee though. Sometimes, a foreign transaction fee might kick in if you’re buying something from a company that’s based in a foreign country and that processes the transaction in its local currency. For instance, let’s say you buy a pair of shoes from a retailer based in France. If the purchase is processed in Euros, you might be charged a foreign transaction fee.

A foreign transaction fee is typically based on a percentage of the transaction amount. For instance, if your card charged a 2% foreign transaction and you bought an item that cost $100, the foreign transaction fee would be $2.

Foreign transaction fees are a common credit card fee that will show up on your credit card statement, and they can make your travels more expensive. Let’s say you spend $4,000 on a trip overseas, and your credit card charges a 2% foreign transaction fee. In that case, you’d pay $80 extra to cover the cost of foreign transaction fees.

How Much Are Foreign Transaction Fees?

The amount of foreign transaction fees varies depending on the credit card issuer. That being said, most foreign transaction fees range anywhere from 1% to 3% of the transaction amount. Many cards don’t have a foreign transaction fee.

One thing to note: Foreign transaction fees are different from currency conversion fees. In some cases, you might get hit with a double whammy and be charged both. You could also face a credit card convenience fee, depending on where you use your card.

Foreign Transaction Fees by Credit Card Issuers

Let’s take a look at foreign transaction fees charged by the major credit card issuers. On average, here’s how much they can run, depending on which card you’re using and the issuing bank or credit union:

Credit Card Issuer	Average Foreign Transaction Fee
Visa	0% or 3%
Mastercard	0% or 3%
Discover	0%
American Express	0% to 2.7%

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What Are Annual Credit Card Fees and When Are They Applied?

Some cards come with an annual credit card fee. This fee is a yearly charge collected by a credit card issuer in order to use the card. Often, paying an annual credit card fee allows cardholders to tap into special perks and benefits, such as higher credit card points earnings on purchases, extended warranties and price protection, and travel or cash back perks.

The annual credit card fee will turn up on your credit card statement once a year as a single, lump sum charge. Usually you’re charged during the same billing cycle or month in which you initially signed up for the card. Once you pay the annual fee, the next time you’ll get charged is in 12 billing cycles.

You’ll cover a card’s annual fee just like you would any other purchase you put on your card. The fee will show up on your card and get folded into your statement.

How Much Are Annual Fees, Typically?

The amount of an annual fee depends largely on the card, but in general, annual fees can run anywhere from $95 per year to upwards of $500. There are a number of credit cards available that don’t charge an annual fee. And some that do also offer the opportunity to get the fee waived.

Do Cards With No Annual Fees Tend to Also Have No Foreign Transaction Fees?

Whether cards that skip out on charging annual fees will also have no foreign transaction fees really depends. There’s no hard-and-fast rule. In some instances, a card might have an annual fee but no foreign transaction fee. On the flip side, a credit card might have a foreign transaction fee but no annual fee. Or, a card could charge both fees or neither fee.

Before opening an account, it’s important to read the fine print and comb through the terms and fees of a given credit card. This will outline the fees a card might charge as well as the rate of credit card purchase interest charges. That way, you’ll know what you’re getting into with any given card.

Recommended: How to Avoid Interest On a Credit Card

No Annual Fee and No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards: Who They’re Great For

Let’s take a look at when a one-two punch of a credit card with no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee might best benefit you.

Online Shoppers

If you do a lot of your shopping online, particularly through brands that aren’t U.S.-based, you might find a no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee credit card beneficial. That way, if you happen to buy something from a merchant based in a foreign country and credit card processing is done in their local currency, you can save on foreign transaction fees.

Plus, if you have a strong credit score and can snag a card that offers a better-than-average rate of cash-back rewards or points, you might not need to splurge on a card with an annual fee to gain access to added perks.

Recommended: Cash Back Credit Card Study

International Travelers

Foreign transaction fees can rack up quickly if you’re putting purchases on your card while traveling in other countries. For instance, if you spend $5,000 on your credit card while on a trip overseas, and your card charges 3% for foreign transaction fees, that could cost you an additional $150.

To avoid this expenditure, you might be better off looking for a card that doesn’t have foreign transaction fees. You’ll further avoid cuts to your travel budget by skipping out on paying an annual fee.

No Annual Fee and No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards: Who They’re Bad For

If you fall within one of the following groups, you might not find that it’s worthwhile to focus on finding a credit card with no annual fee and foreign transaction fee.

People Who Want the Most Rewards and Perks

For those looking for the most competitive rewards rate, lucrative travel perks, or a sizable welcome bonus, then a credit card with an annual fee might be their best bet. By taking advantage of these benefits offered by the card, you could still come out ahead even with the annual fee, as the perks can effectively offset the cost of the fee.

Just make sure to do the math ahead of time and ensure you’ll take enough advantage of the available perks before agreeing to a hefty annual fee.

Recommended: Choosing a Rewards Credit Card

Those With Poor or Limited Credit

If you have poor credit or a limited credit history, you might not be faced with the choice of credit card miles vs. cash back when choosing a card. Instead, your options may be pretty limited. For those in this situation, a credit card that charges an annual fee and/or foreign transaction fees may still be their best — or only — available option.

Tips for Save on Credit Card Fees When Traveling Abroad

Hoping to avoid credit card fees while you’re out of the country? Here are some pointers to keep in mind:

• Ask about fees ahead of time. If you’re not sure which of your credit cards does or does not charge foreign transaction fees, it can pay to ask ahead of time. Then, you can opt to avoid using a card with a hefty rate for foreign transaction fees while you’re traveling. Even if you can’t avoid these fees entirely due to the credit cards you have, you’ll at least avoid a surprise when you get home from your trip and be able to spend more strategically.

• Consider getting a no foreign transaction fee credit card. If you have the time ahead of your trip, can weather a dip in your credit, and are in the market for a new card, then getting a credit card with no foreign transaction fees — like the SoFi Credit Card — can make sense. This is especially true if you have a number of trips abroad planned for the future.

• Exchange cash before leaving the country. Another way to dodge fees while traveling is to exchange U.S. dollars for the local currency in the country you’re visiting before you leave. This will allow you to avoid potentially costly trips to the ATM and added fees when swiping your credit card. Just make sure to take safety into consideration before taking out a huge amount of cash.

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The Takeaway

A no annual fee no foreign transaction fee credit card can save you money — especially if it comes with its own set of perks that you don’t have to pay extra for. Plus, you don’t have to keep as close an eye on your spending abroad so you can better kick back and enjoy the sights.

If you’re shopping around for a credit card, the SoFi credit card is an option with no foreign transaction fees. Plus, you can earn competitive cash-back rewards.

The SoFi Credit Card offers unlimited 2% cash back on all eligible purchases. There are no spending categories or reward caps to worry about.¹

Take advantage of this offer by applying for a SoFi credit card today.

FAQ

What does it mean when a credit card has no foreign transaction fees?

A credit card with no foreign transaction fee means that you won’t get dinged with a fee should you make a purchase in a foreign country. Depending on how much you end up spending while traveling, it could save you a significant chunk of change.

Why are no annual fees important?

A credit card with no annual fee means money you don’t have to spend. Plus, you won’t have to work as hard for the annual fee to pay off. In other words, you won’t have to strategize to make the most of any special perks, nor will you need to worry about spending a certain amount to offset the cost.

Is 3% foreign transaction fee a lot?

A 3% foreign transaction fee is on the high end of average. The rate of foreign transaction fees can vary, but they typically run anywhere from 1% to 3%, with some cards not charging any foreign transaction fees.

Photo credit: iStock/RgStudio

Nov

2022

Guide to Paying Property Taxes With a Credit Card

By Dan Miller | Credit, credit card, Family Finances | Comments Off

If you’ve become aware of the benefits of earning rewards with your credit card, you may be on the lookout for opportunities to use your card (and earn rewards). Property taxes can be one of the largest expenses for many homeowners, so it makes sense if you’re wondering, ‘can you pay property taxes with a credit card?’

The good news is that many states, counties, and other local jurisdictions do allow you to pay your property taxes with a credit card. However, in many cases, there is a processing fee associated with a credit card payment. Depending on the fee that’s charged and the card that you use, paying your property taxes with a credit card may or may not be a good idea.

Recommended: When Are Credit Card Payments Due?

Can You Pay Property Taxes With a Credit Card?

Many states and counties allow you to pay property taxes with a credit card. In some cases, they process any payments directly. Other jurisdictions may partner with a third-party processing company to handle payments.

In many cases, a processing fee will apply. This fee is generally around 2% of the payment or higher. For example, Hamilton County in Ohio charges a 2.35% fee for credit card payments, while Cook County in Illinois charges a fee of 2.10%.

Pros and Cons of Paying Property Taxes With a Credit Card

For many homeowners, property taxes and mortgage payments are some of the largest expenses in their budget. So it makes sense that you might try to offset some of the cost by earning credit card rewards on the purchase, which could allow you to pay less taxes.

However, there are potential downsides to paying property taxes with a credit card to take into consideration as well. For one, you may pay a processing fee. You also could owe interest charges and experience effects to your credit score, depending on how you manage your credit card bill.

Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of paying property taxes with a credit card:

Pros	Cons
Can earn credit card rewards	Will likely owe a processing fee
May help you meet requirements to earn a signup bonus on a new credit card	Could raise credit utilization, which could negatively impact your credit score
Could use a 0% introductory APR offer from a new card or by doing a balance transfer to pay your tax bill over time	Can face high interest rates if you don’t pay off your credit card bill in full

Recommended: How to Avoid Interest On a Credit Card

Paying Your Property Taxes With a Credit Card: 4 Steps

Just like paying your mortgage with a credit card, paying your property taxes with a credit card usually takes a few simple steps. While the exact steps will vary depending on your local tax authority, here is the basic flow.

1. Enter Your Property Tax Information

First, you will enter your property information. Many counties have assigned all property into specific parcel IDs. If you’re not sure about your parcel ID, you can usually look that up with your address or other identifying information.

2. Enter or Confirm Any Required Personal Information

Once you have entered in the required information pertaining to the parcel you’re paying property taxes on, you may be asked to enter or confirm some of your personal information. This helps to ensure that you are paying for the correct piece of real property.

3. Choose Your Payment Method and Amount

Next, you will choose the credit card you want to use. Because most jurisdictions charge a processing fee to pay your property taxes with a credit card, you’ll want to be careful about which card you use.

If you have a rewards credit card with a rewards rate that’s higher than the fee you’re being charged, that may be a good card to use. You might also consider a new card on which you’re attempting to meet the spending requirement to earn a signup bonus. If your card has a high spending requirement, paying your taxes with a credit card can help you fulfill that requirement. If you need more time to pay your bill, you might also consider a card with an introductory 0% annual percentage rate (APR) offer.

Once you’ve decided on your card, you’ll enter it into the tax processing website. Similarly to if you were paying bills with a credit card, you’ll likely need to enter your name as it appears on the card, your full credit card number, the expiration date, and the CVV code.

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4. Submit Your Payment

The final step in paying taxes with a credit card is to submit your payment. If a confirmation page is shown, you may want to print it for your records. That can help you in case there’s a dispute about whether your property taxes have been paid. You also may be able to select an email confirmation.

Types of Cards You Can Use to Pay Property Taxes

There are many credit cards that you can potentially use to pay property taxes. Visa and Mastercard are the two most prevalent, but many tax authorities accept American Express, Discover, or other types of credit cards. Check with your local tax authority to see what types of cards you can use in your area.

You may be able to use a debit card as well. While the benefits of credit cards include rewards and other perks, fees are often lower for debit cards than credit cards.

Recommended: What is a Charge Card?

The Takeaway

It’s usually possible to pay property taxes with a credit card, though it depends on the policies and laws in your specific jurisdiction. However, many states and counties charge a processing fee to accept credit card payments for property taxes, and the fees may be higher than the value of any rewards that you may earn. Check with your local tax authority to see what options you have in your specific area.

The SoFi Credit Card offers unlimited 2% cash back on all eligible purchases. There are no spending categories or reward caps to worry about.¹

Take advantage of this offer by applying for a SoFi credit card today.

FAQ

Which states allow you to pay property tax with a credit card?

Where you can pay property tax with a credit card varies widely depending on a property’s exact location. States, counties, cities, and school districts all may have different laws and policies. If you’re not sure if you are able to pay property tax with a credit card, check with your local taxing authority.

Can you get cash back by paying property tax with your credit card?

Yes, one benefit of credit cards is that you can often earn cash back or other rewards with each purchase. It’s likely possible to earn cash back (or other credit card rewards) by paying property taxes with your credit card. However, in many cases, you will be charged a processing fee by your local taxing authority. Make sure that the value of any rewards you earn exceeds the cost of the fees you may be charged.

Will paying property taxes with a credit card raise your credit score?

Paying property taxes will likely not have a huge impact on your credit score if you pay your statement on time and in full. However, if you pay your taxes with a credit card and then don’t pay the bill when it comes due, that could lead to negative impacts on your credit score.

Photo credit: iStock/xijian

¹Members earn 2 rewards points for every dollar spent on purchases. No rewards points will be earned with respect to reversed transactions, returned purchases, or other similar transactions. When you elect to redeem rewards points into your SoFi Checking or Savings account, SoFi Money® account, SoFi Active Invest account, SoFi Credit Card account, or SoFi Personal, Private Student, or Student Loan Refinance, your rewards points will redeem at a rate of 1 cent per every point. For more details please visit the Rewards page. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. SoFi Securities LLC is an affiliate of SoFi Bank, N.A.

SoFi cardholders earn 2% unlimited cash back rewards when redeemed to save, invest, a statement credit, or pay down eligible SoFi debt.

The SoFi Credit Card is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A. pursuant to license by Mastercard® International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

¹See Rewards Details at SoFi.com/card/rewards.

Members earn 2 rewards points for every dollar spent on purchases. No rewards points will be earned with respect to reversed transactions, returned purchases, or other similar transactions. When you elect to redeem rewards points into your SoFi Checking or Savings account, SoFi Money® account, SoFi Active Invest account, SoFi Credit Card account, or SoFi Personal, Private Student, or Student Loan Refinance, your rewards points will redeem at a rate of 1 cent per every point. For more details, please visit the Rewards page. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. SoFi Securities LLC is an affiliate of SoFi Bank, N.A.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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Nov

2022

Guide to Credit Card Purchase Protection

By Jackie Lam | Credit, credit card | Comments Off

Among the sea of valuable credit card perks, purchase protection is one that often gets overlooked. If you have a credit card with purchase protection, you can replace an item you paid for with your card should it get damaged, lost, or stolen.

However, there are restrictions on what is and isn’t covered under credit card purchase protection, which is why it’s important to understand how it works. You’ll also want to know the drawbacks and advantages of credit card purchase protection to determine if it’s the right path for you.

What Is Credit Card Purchase Protection?

Also known as purchase insurance or damage protection, credit card purchase protection is a type of credit card protection. If you have a purchase protection credit card, the credit card issuer might help you replace a stolen, lost, or damaged item that you bought using the card.

Purchase protection doesn’t last forever though — there are generally limits on the duration of the protection period and the coverage amounts. Also note that purchase protection serves as secondary coverage. This means that you must first file a claim with your primary insurance, and then purchase protection may kick in to cover any remaining amount.

How Does Credit Card Purchase Protection Work?

As mentioned, purchase protection only applies to items that you paid for with your credit card. Not all instances of theft or damage are covered.

The protection period offered by cards with purchase protection can last anywhere from 90 to 120 days after the purchase is made. Coverage limits and terms also can vary. For instance, a credit card might have $500 cap per claim, with a maximum benefit of $50,000 per account.

Some card issuers extend this credit card advantage to recipients of gifts that you purchased using the card. For instance, if you bought a computer for your son for his birthday, he may be able to file a claim to get it replaced if it’s covered by purchase protection. However, the recipient would generally need to have an eligible credit card with that same card network.

Understanding How to Use Credit Card Purchase Protection

If, for example, the screen on the cell phone you purchased with your credit card shatters, and the incident occurs within your credit card’s purchase protection time frame, you may be able to take advantage of purchase protection.

To get coverage, you’d need to file a claim with the credit card. The claim form is usually found on a credit card’s website or listed under “forms” after you log in to your account. If your claim is approved, it typically takes anywhere from 15 to 30 days for you to receive reimbursement for your claim.

What Does a Credit Card’s Purchase Protection Not Cover?

Here’s what credit card purchase protection typically doesn’t cover:

• Items that are excluded under the policy. Each card issuer has varying items that are excluded from coverage. For example, credit card purchase protection may exclude motorized vehicles, perishable items, antique or collectible items, computer software, and items purchased commercially for resale. There are also usually exclusions on the reasons for why you lost or damaged an item — for instance, items that were lost or damaged due to acts of war or fraudulent or illegal activity aren’t usually covered.

• Items that mysteriously disappeared. If an object ends up missing with no apparent cause and without evidence of a wrongful act, then that item generally will not be covered by purchase protection.

• Items damaged, lost, or stolen after the protection period. If an item you bought with your credit card was lost, damaged, or stolen after the coverage time window ended — usually past 90 to 120 days — then it won’t be covered.

• Items that are used or pre-owned. Many credit card issuers exclude used or pre-owned items from purchase protection coverage.

What Does a Credit Card’s Purchase Protection Cover?

As discussed, the terms, items included, and coverage amounts provided vary by credit card issuer. For the most part, a credit card’s purchase protection covers items that were unintentionally lost, stolen, or damaged within a specified protection period.

You’ll also want to mind the cap per claim and per account. Your coverage limits may apply by account or by year. For example, you might have a cap of $500 per claim, and be limited to making $50,000 in claims per account you own.

Read your credit card’s terms and conditions to see what exactly is included under purchase protection and what coverage limits apply. This can also provide other valuable information to credit card holders, such as how credit card payments work.

Recommended: When Are Credit Card Payments Due?

Pros and Cons of Credit Card Purchase Protection

Here’s an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of credit card purchase protection:

Pros	Cons
Built-in protection with your credit card	Coverage limits generally apply
No deductible	May take longer or require more steps than primary insurance

Pros

Let’s dive deeper into the upsides of credit card purchase insurance:

• Built-in protection with your card. Probably the most significant advantage of credit card purchase protection is that it is essentially free insurance that comes with your card. As long as an item is covered under your card’s purchase policy, and you file a claim without the protection period, you typically can get some help replacing a lost, damaged, or stolen item, rather than driving up your credit card balance covering the cost.

• No deductible. Unlike primary insurance, you might not need to pay a deductible to get your eligible claim reimbursed.

Cons

Here are the downsides of purchase protection to be aware of:

• Limits. As insurance usually goes, there are coverage caps per claim and per account or year. You’ll need to check with your credit card issuer to determine the limits for your purchase protection policy.

• May take longer than primary insurance. The time to file a claim and get reimbursed could take longer compared to the turnaround for primary insurance. That’s because purchase protection is secondary coverage, meaning you’ll usually have to go through your primary insurance first, whether that’s homeowners, auto, or rental insurance.

Recommended: What is the Average Credit Card Limit?

Filing a Credit Card Purchase Protection Claim

Here are the steps you’ll need to take to file a claim for purchase protection:

1. Review your card’s policies to see if the item is covered. Before moving forward with filing a credit card purchase protection claim, it’s smart to take a moment to make sure the item qualifies. Also remember that you’ll need to make at least your credit card minimum payment, even while waiting for a response.

2. Fill out a claim form. This is usually found on the credit card issuer’s website or through your account after you log in. It’s recommended to file a claim as soon as you can. Keep in mind that credit cards typically have a time frame in which you can file a claim after the incident, usually within 30 to 90 days.

3. Provide requested documents. When you file your claim, you’ll generally need to provide the following documents:

◦ A copy of the credit card statement that includes proof of purchase

◦ An itemized original receipt showing the purchase

◦ A copy of your insurance claim and insurance declaration page (if you have primary insurance)

◦ A police report (if the item was stolen)

Other Types of Credit Card Protection

Beyond purchase protection, there are other types of protection commonly offered through credit cards. These include:

• Return protection: This perk that some issuers offer allows you to return an item, even when the retailer has a no-return policy. While some cards do offer return protection, other cards have phased it out in recent years.

• Price protection: Should you buy something and the item then drops in price within a specific period, price protection will kick in and match the lower, advertised price. Depending on the card, the time frame during which this applies might range from 30 to 60 days. You might get refunded up to a certain amount for specific types of purchases, though price protection usually has limits per item and per year.

• Extended warranty protection: Instead of hopping on a retailer’s pricey service plan or opting for extended warranty at the checkout register, you might be able to take advantage of a credit card’s extended warranty protection. This protection matches the terms of your manufacturer’s warranty. However, it usually extends protection for up to a year, and some cards will even double the manufacturer warranty.

Beyond these protections, credit cards can offer an array of other perks, such as credit card travel insurance and credit card rental insurance, among others.

Recommended: Can You Buy Crypto With a Credit Card?

The Takeaway

Credit card purchase protection is a valuable perk to take advantage of if a card offers it. The built-in insurance offered by purchase protection can save you should an item you bought with your card get lost, stolen, or damaged.

If you’re looking for a new credit card that offers a myriad of perks, consider the SoFi Credit Card. SoFi’s credit card offers cell phone protection and Mastercard ID theft protection. Plus, you can lower your APR through on-time payments and earn generous cash-back rewards on eligible purchases.

Apply today for the SoFi credit card!

FAQ

Do all credit cards offer purchase protection?

Not all credit cards offer purchase protection. In fact, cards offering this perk have become less common in recent years.

How do you get your money back from a credit card purchase?

You’ll need to file a claim and provide requested documents, such as a receipt, a copy of your credit card statement, and in some instances, a police report or proof of primary insurance. Once your claim has been approved, you can expect reimbursement within 15 to 30 days.

Is there a time limit on credit card purchase protection?

Yes, there’s a time window after you’ve made the purchase during which purchase protection applies. This is usually 90 to 120 days. There’s also a time limit as to when you can file a claim after the incident, which can be anywhere from 30 to 90 days. It’s best to file a claim as soon as possible.

Photo credit: iStock/filadendron

¹See Rewards Details at SoFi.com/card/rewards.

SoFi cardholders earn 2% unlimited cash back rewards when redeemed to save, invest, a statement credit, or pay down eligible SoFi debt.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

The SoFi Credit Card is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A. pursuant to license by Mastercard® International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

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