Prepaid 'Credit' Cards

Prepaid cards, or secured cards as they are sometimes known, offer many of the benefits and convenience of credit cards without the dangers involved in spending money that you might not actually have.

Before you can use the card, you need to top it up with funds - a process familiar from 'pay as you go' mobile phones.

But why choose a prepaid card over a normal credit card?

No Debt - as you need to load up the card with funds before using it, you can't get carried away and spend more than you should, leaving yourself in debt.

No interest - unlike a credit card, you won't be charged interest on your spending.

Safety - carrying your prepaid card is safer than carrying cash.

Shop online, by phone - a prepaid card can be used in all the ways and places a normal credit card can be.

Guaranteed approval - it's almost impossible to have your application turned down, so long as you can prove your identity and have not been involved in fraud.

Teenagers - can usually be used by people under the age of 18.

No credit checks - no chance of your credit rating being impaired by too many credit applications.