January 2010 Show Me StreetWise Guide to Using Financial Services CashPak The DCU Way StreetWise Scam Alerts Street Smarts By Will DeHoo, DCU Show Me Spokesperson Shopping With Your Credit Card or Debit Card Do you use your debit or credit cards a lot? Whichever card you use, be smart with these tips: Use your credit card for all online purchases. Credit cards give you leverage with a seller if you're not satisfied with a purchase. Using a debit card? Don't trust an ATM to tell you your balance! Check your online statement routinely. If you're shopping with your credit card, check your credit limit and don't go near it when you charge. Charging near your limit can lower your credit rating. Only take one credit card when you go shopping. Take the card that charges you the lowest rate and gives you the most benefits. Tip: That card will likely be a DCU card. Big tip: If you have credit or debit cards from a bank, not a credit union, see if the cards have an arbitration clause. If so, that bank is taking away your legal rights, according to consumer groups. Quit using them. And DCU? Of course, no bad clause! The biggest tip: Look at DCU's credit or debit cards for young people before you start shopping. And check out FoolProof Solo on the right side of the DCU home page to learn more about using credit wisely. Cheers, Will « Previous Main Menu Next »

Have you had a good experience with DCU that you want to share with others? Send us an email at dcu@dcu.org or mail it to: DCU, PO Box 9130, Marlborough, MA 01752-9130, Attn: Marketing Dept. Visit Show Me and FoolProof Solo online for more money management advice and ideas. Visit dcu.org and select "StreetWise" then "Show Me." Images may be from one or more of these sources: ©Jupiterimages, ©Getty Images, ©iStock, ©Fotolia. ©2010 Digital Federal Credit Union. Digital Federal Credit Union PO Box 9130 Marlborough, MA 01752-9130 508.263.6700 • 800.328.8797 • dcu.org • dcu@dcu.org TTY 800.395.5146 (For hearing impaired only) Powered by Priority Integrated Marketing