Most of us quickly skim through our credit card statements but that’s not enough. Checking your credit card statement thoroughly is more important than you would have imagined. Here are a few key sections that you should check in your credit card statement:
- Personal information: Start by reviewing your personal information on the credit card statement. Verify that your name, address, and contact details are correct.
- Account summary: The summary section provides an overview of your credit card account. It would be wise to pay attention to the opening and closing balances, as well as any changes in your credit limit.
- Transaction details: Next, you must carefully examine the transaction details section to review all the charges and credits made to your credit card account. Goes without saying, that you should validate against unauthorised or fraudulent transactions.
- Payment information: Check the payment information section to ensure that your payments have been accurately recorded. You may want to verify that the payment amount and date match. If you made multiple payments during the billing period, ensure that they are all properly reflected.
- Fees and interest charges: You must always review any fees and interest charges that may have been applied to your credit card account for any unexplained fees. This can include annual fees, late payment fees, cash advance fees, or any other charges.
- Interest rates and APR: Though no card issuer would do this knowingly, it still is a good idea to double-check the interest rate and annual percentage rate (APR) mentioned on your credit card statement for any discrepancies.
- Rewards and benefits: If your credit card offers rewards programs or benefits, your credit card statement will have these details. You must also check for earned rewards, such as cashback or reward points, and ensure they are accurately reflected.
- Payment due date: Now, this one is more crucial than other details on your statement. It would be wise to note the payment due date mentioned on your credit card statement. You can set up reminders or automate payments to ensure timely deduction of funds.