Getting Credit: What you need to know about your credit Protect your credit from ID theft NYC Department of Consumer Affair's college outreach website	A credit card can be a double-edged sword – a convenient way to pay for school necessities, but a potential hazard if you don’t make savvy decisions. Some college students graduate with serious debt. This can adversely impact your credit history – and a bad credit report can limit your opportunities. Companies use credit reports to decide who gets a car loan, a mortgage, a rental apartment, even who gets a job offer. That’s why the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers “Project Credit Smarts” – a crash course for students on choosing and using credit wisely. Studies show that credit card issuers are marketing to students as young as 16 years old. Students are attracted by low “teaser” rates, but they can be shocked when the rates go up or other charges mount. The first step to avoiding a crushing debt is to educate yourself. The information on this site is designed to assist you in making informed decisions about getting and maintaining credit. Here’s what you’ll find: ~ Did You Know? Want to know what to look out for? You’ve come to the right place. ~ What’s This Term? Credit card terminology can look like “mumbo jumbo” until you learn the lingo. Freshen up your vocabulary so you’ll know what terms like “APR” and “grace period” mean. ~ What’s the FTC doing? See what the FTC is doing to protect and inform you. ~ Want More Info? Here’s our list of links for more information. Don’t lose out, be CREDIT SMART.

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