Checkmyfile Warns `Check The Small Print Before Betting Online With A Credit Card`

Released on: September 9, 2008, 3:25 am

Press Release Author: Credit Reporting Agency Ltd

Industry: Financial

Press Release Summary: Checkmyfile issues credit card warning to online punters

Press Release Body: Checkmyfile is warning UK consumers to check their credit card
provider\'s small print before using a credit card to bet online.

Richard Goedegebuur, from the leading credit check website, says consumers face
losing their shirt on credit card fees as well as on the horses since a number of
credit card firms have targeted fees at online gambling transactions.

He also advises that consumers may be better off using their debit card instead.

Recent changes to some credit card terms and conditions have seen the use of credit
cards on internet gambling sites labelled as a \'cash advance.\'

Richard adds, “One of our customers recently pointed out that Egg had changed its
terms and conditions on its credit card. It notified customers by wedging the
crucial change about fees for online gambling transactions between a number of very
dull bullet points in a terms and conditions update letter.”

Consumers whose credit card provider treats internet gambling transactions as a cash
advance will not get the same interest free period that they enjoy if they pay off
their credit card balance in full. They will also be charged at a significantly
higher interest rate than the card\'s purchase rate. For Egg credit card users that
is a difference of 8 per cent from the moment the transaction is made. For most
cards, cash advances carry a fee, typically 2 to 3 per cent of the transaction with
a minimum of up to £3.

“Consumers placing bets online with a credit card should check their credit card
statement carefully for these charges, and switch to a new card if they find any.
There is a strong possibility they could get a much better deal by switching cards
or simply by using a debit card instead.”

Consumers can get their credit card frustrations off their chest by completing the
checkmyfile annual banking and credit card survey. It takes just a couple of minutes
to fill out and you could win a new 3G iPhone on 02 Pay & Go or a Sony 32” flat
screen TV.

Ends.

checkmyfile is fully independent and was the first in the UK to provide consumers
with online access to their credit files, to offer consumers the ability to check
their own credit score for free, to give plain English explanations of how credit
scoring works and to help consumers protect themselves from identity theft.
It has 1.5m registered customers and is visited by over 20,000 unique new visitors
every day.


Web Site: http://www.checkmyfile.com

Contact Details: Contact Richard Goedegebuur
01872 308616
richard.goedegebuur@checkmyfile.com
Credit Reporting Agency Limited – Registered Office: Chynoweth House, Trevisomme
Park, Blackwater. Truro TR4 8UNRegistered in England no 3719598

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