Your request is being processed.

Please wait.

<meta property="cq:wcmmode" content="disabled"/><meta property="articleFeedData" content="{"baseUrl":"/articles/credit-education","bottomArticles":[{"date":"Wed Apr 27 16:43:40 PDT 2022","imagePath":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/images/articles/2022/04/220270_CM_NegCCBalance_SEOA_FIN.jpg","author":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/content-fragments/authorbio/marc-klein/jcr:content/data/master","previewDescription":"A negative credit card balance is when your balance is below zero, appearing as a negative amount. While this may seem like a bad thing, it\u2019s actually quite the opposite. This means that your credit card issuer owes you that amount of money instead of the other way around.","title":"What is a Negative Balance on a Credit Card Statement?","pagePath":"/articles/what-is-a-negative-balance-on-a-credit-card-statement","imageAlt":"A woman looks confused with something on her credit card bill.","tags":["creditonebank:CreditBasics","financial_education","credit-one-central-topics:credit-card"]},{"date":"Tue Mar 29 14:54:47 PDT 2022","imagePath":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/images/articles/2022/03/220209_CM_CCActive_SEOA_Final.png","author":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/content-fragments/authorbio/marc-klein/jcr:content/data/master","previewDescription":"To use your credit card to make purchases, it must be active and in positive standing.","title":"How to Check if Your Credit Card is Active","pagePath":"/articles/how-to-check-if-your-credit-card-is-active","imageAlt":"Close-up of someone calling the number on the back of their credit card.","tags":["creditonebank:CreditBasics","credit-one-central-topics:credit-card"]},{"date":"Tue Mar 29 00:00:00 PDT 2022","imagePath":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/images/articles/2022/06/220295_CM_CCFraud_ART.jpg","author":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/content-fragments/authorbio/sean-p-egen/jcr:content/data/master","previewDescription":"Do you get emails from addresses that you don\u2019t recognize? How about text messages from unfamiliar phone numbers? These are common phishing tactics made by fraudsters trying to get your credit card information, and these tips can help you protect yourself and your information.","title":"Preventing Credit Card Fraud","pagePath":"/articles/preventing-credit-card-fraud","imageAlt":"Tips for Preventing Credit Card Fraud","tags":["creditonebank:CreditBasics","credit-one-central-topics:financial-tips","credit-one-central-topics:identity-theft","credit-one-central-topics:fraud"]}],"authorArticlesMobile":[],"topArticles":[{"date":"Wed Aug 24 00:00:00 PDT 2022","imagePath":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/images/articles/2022/08/220480_CM_WhenUStopCC_SEOA_FINAL.jpg","author":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/content-fragments/authorbio/marc-klein/jcr:content/data/master","previewDescription":"Oftentimes, when it comes to credit cards, questions revolve around the ins and outs of using your card and the many different topics that come from that use, such as credit utilization ratio or card limits. ","title":"What Happens if You Don\u2019t Use Your Credit Card?","pagePath":"/articles/what-happens-if-you-don-t-use-your-credit-card","imageAlt":"An hourglass projects the shadow of a dollar sign, signifying that a credit card has not been used in a long time. ","tags":["creditonebank:CreditBasics","credit-one-central-topics:credit-card"]},{"date":"Mon Aug 08 00:00:00 PDT 2022","imagePath":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/images/articles/2022/08/220471_CM_DoesPQAffectScore_SEOA_FINAL.jpg","author":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/content-fragments/authorbio/jim-holborow/jcr:content/data/master","previewDescription":"If you find yourself tempted to \u201csee if you pre-qualify\u201d on a credit card company website, but you\u2019re concerned about impacting your credit score, don\u2019t worry. No, submitting a pre-qualification request does not affect your credit score.","title":"Does Pre-Qualification Affect Your Score?","pagePath":"/articles/does-pre-qualification-affect-your-score","imageAlt":"Bird\u2019s-eye view of a man checking his laptop to see if he has pre-qualified without affecting his credit score","tags":["creditonebank:CreditBasics","credit-one-central-topics:credit-card","credit-one-central-topics:credit-score"]},{"date":"Wed Aug 03 00:00:00 PDT 2022","imagePath":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/images/articles/2022/08/220465_CM_DoPACCAffectScore_SEOA_FINAL.jpg","author":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/content-fragments/authorbio/jim-holborow/jcr:content/data/master","previewDescription":"If you\u2019ve received a pre-approved credit card offer, you\u2019ll be happy to know that no, it doesn\u2019t affect your credit score. ","title":"Do Pre-Approved Credit Card Offers Affect Your Credit?","pagePath":"/articles/do-pre-approved-credit-card-offers-affect-your-credit","imageAlt":"A pre-approved credit card offer letter, which does not affect your credit score","tags":["creditonebank:CreditBasics","credit-one-central-topics:credit-card","credit-one-central-topics:credit-score"]}],"lastPageNumberMobile":0,"currentPageNumber":3,"lastPageNumber":10,"articlesTopics":["financial tips","fraud","credit score","credit card","identity theft"],"currentPageNumberMobile":3}"/>

FDIC-Insured - Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government

Accept Mail Offer
See If You Pre-Qualify
For What's Ahead
Customer Service

Credit One Central

Credit Education
Personal Finance
Life Events
Financial Planning
Glossary

Credit Education
Personal Finance
Life Events
Financial Planning
Glossary

Home
Blank

Credit Education

An hourglass projects the shadow of a dollar sign, signifying that a credit card has not been used in a long time.

What Happens if You Don’t Use Your Credit Card?

Oftentimes, when it comes to credit cards, questions revolve around the ins and outs of using your card and the many different topics that come from that use, such as credit

Bird’s-eye view of a man checking his laptop to see if he has pre-qualified without affecting his credit score

Does Pre-Qualification Affect Your Score?

If you find yourself tempted to “see if you pre-qualify” on a credit card company website, but you’re concerned about impacting your credit score, don’t worry. No, submitting a

A pre-approved credit card offer letter, which does not affect your credit score

Do Pre-Approved Credit Card Offers Affect Your Credit?

If you’ve received a pre-approved credit card offer, you’ll be happy to know that no, it doesn’t affect your credit score.

A woman looks confused with something on her credit card bill.

What is a Negative Balance on a Credit Card Statement?

A negative credit card balance is when your balance is below zero, appearing as a negative amount. While this may seem like a bad thing, it’s actually quite the opposite. This means

Close-up of someone calling the number on the back of their credit card.

How to Check if Your Credit Card is Active

To use your credit card to make purchases, it must be active and in positive standing.

Tips for Preventing Credit Card Fraud

Preventing Credit Card Fraud

Do you get emails from addresses that you don’t recognize? How about text messages from unfamiliar phone numbers? These are common phishing tactics made by fraudsters trying to

This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor, attorney or financial advisor. Readers should consult with their own tax advisor, attorney or financial advisor with regard to their personal situations.

Recommended Articles

Credit Cards

Browse Credit Cards
See If You Pre-Qualify
Accept Mail Offer
Application Status

Deposits

Jumbo Deposit Products
High-Yield Jumbo CD
Bump Up Jumbo CD
High-Yield Savings

Support

FAQs
Contact Us
Accessibility
Keys to Credit

About Us

Company
Partnerships
Community
Careers
Testimonials

Credit One Bank Mobile App

Privacy
Terms of Use
Security & Fraud
Card Agreements

© 2026 Credit One Bank, N.A. All Rights Reserved. Member FDIC. This is a secure site.