Credit cards offer a flexible means of paying for goods and services. For those who have difficulties visiting high-street branches to withdraw cash, credit and debit cards make it possible to spend without leaving home.

• Credit cards allow you to make secure purchases over the phone, by post and over the internet.
• Credit cards allow payment for purchases to be spread over a period of time. The amount of time you have to settle your bill depends on the card you get; some offer as much as two months interest free credit. After this time you will be charged interest on the outstanding balance. The ability to delay repayment for a set period is useful if you rely on benefits coming in at a certain time each month.
• Your card may give you protection on purchases over a certain amount - typically £100.
• Cards can be used to pay for goods and services overseas - a lifesaver if things go wrong on holiday.
• You will often be given the chance to take advantage of other services offered by the card issuer. For example, holiday insurance is often offered for favourable rates - sometimes even free - if you pay for the holiday with your card.

Application forms can be obtained from your bank or building society. You can also use the phone or the internet. Before they issue you with a card, the card-issuer will evaluate your credit rating. To decide this, they take into account things like your annual salary/income, what other cards you have and the value of your outstanding mortgage. All applicants are judged on the same criteria. Remember to include details of all income, including benefits. Visit Barclaycard for more on credit cards.

According to a recent Which? report, more than three million British adults now shop online regularly. But one in four of them think they're taking a risk when they use their credit card to do so.

Many fraud fears are unfounded. Credit cards are more vulnerable to fraud in the real world - discarded credit slips picked up in a supermarket are an example. However, there are still steps you can take to minimize potential risks.

If you're buying online, then check out the address bar, where the internet address of the web page you're on is displayed and look at the way the address begins. If it begins http://, then it's not secure. If it begins https://, then it is. The fifth letter - s - indicates that it's a secure site. Another check is to look to see if there is a small image of a locked padlock on the bottom of your browser. If there is, you are on a secure page.

The Consumer Credit Act may give you additional protection when you pay by credit (rather than debit) card for purchases between £100 and £30,000. The act makes the credit card issuer jointly liable with suppliers if there is a problem with the goods or services bought. This protection applies within the UK but, if
you're buying from a site that is based abroad, it may not.

• The card's annual percentage interest rate (APR). If you think it is possible that sometimes you might not be able to settle your account within the time allowed, then the credit rate will be an important deciding factor when choosing the card. In general, the lower the interest rate, the better.



• Take time to read the small print. Although disability in itself is no obstacle to getting a credit card, you might find that some of the services offered by the card issuer are not available to those with a disability. Travel accident insurance for example, often lists as a principal exclusion "pre-existing physical defect or infirmity".

  About us Our partners Terms & conditions Jobs at Youreable designed by