Unsecured credit cards offer lines of credit to people with poor credit, or no credit, without the security deposit required by a Secured credit card.

The added risk to the card issuer is generally off-set by higher fees and a higher interest rate on the card. You may be charged fees you'll never see on other types of cards, such as: application fees, account activation fees, monthly account management fees, credit limit increase fees, and other equally obscure charges. Consider the terms and conditions of this type of offer before you apply. Make sure that the benefits justify the cost!

Before you apply - a few important factors to consider...

• People with less-than-perfect credit are easy prey for crooked lenders. Some cards offered charge more in fees than you'll ever see in available credit. Carefully examine all fees and limitations before you even apply for this type of card.
• Beware of "guaranteed" or "pre-approved" credit card offers. These often offer too-good-to-be-true credit terms, but require the payment of fees in advance. If you actually receive a card (you may never actually hear from them again!), it will likely cost you more than it is worth.
• Introductory rates are usually short-term offers, lasting anywhere from a couple of months to a full year. Introductory rates may apply only to new purchases, balance transfers, or if you're lucky, both. Be sure to note any special conditions or fees that may apply to these promotional rates. Also, be aware that the long-term rates shown generally apply only to new purchases; interest rates for balance transfers and cash advances may vary.
• Note whether the APR is variable or fixed. Most cards have variable rates, which means the rate can fluctuate regularly. Fixed-rates can also be raised when interest rates climb, but the changes will not occur regularly and require at least 15 days notice from the card issuer.
• Be aware of annual fees, balance transfer fees, foreign transaction fees, over-the-limit fees, late payment fees, and the myriad of other fees that may apply. Check with your issuer and carefully read the fine print of the offer to determine these numbers and avoid any unpleasant surprises!