Monthly statements on unused CC

[newtocredit]

hi guys,

i have about 7 CC.  3 active.

just wondering should i be checking the statements on the ones i don't use?   Its kind of hassle logging into them each month. (i dont get paper)   My only worry if there was some fraudlent activity on it?

or should i just turn paper statements on, so it forces me to review them?

just wondering what you the vets here do.

thanks

[Creditaddict]

---

@newtocredit wrote:

hi guys,

i have about 7 CC.  3 active.

just wondering should i be checking the statements on the ones i don't use?   Its kind of hassle logging into them each month. (i dont get paper)   My only worry if there was some fraudlent activity on it?

or should i just turn paper statements on, so it forces me to review them?

just wondering what you the vets here do.

thanks

---

If you don't use them at all I would log in and set up an alert to e-mail or text you if you have a purchase greater then $1.  Or an alert that a payment is due... however with "Payment is due" alert depending on how good the online system they use is, I get alerts regardless if I have paid already or if no payment due at all which to me defeats the purpose of the alert!

[pizzadude]

For me it's no big deal just to log in to idle accounts once a month right before the statement date.   I just set a calendar alert to remind me to check it.

Honestly I don't think there's an easier way to check, maybe other than calling in or setting an alert as Creditaddict described.

[Quips]

I don't use all of mine - but i do have alerts set for all of them - usually payment due reminders or statement available reminders.

[injustifiiable]

Since you have paperless statements turned on, you should be getting an email reminder anyway.

It only takes a few minutes, really.

Another way that can "force" you to check them is to maybe put a small recurring charge on each one per month...like say a Netflix subscription. At least then there would be at least a little bit of activity...

[newtocredit]

2 of them are these Department store charge cards

American Eagle and JCPenny

I dont even use them.

... i am just worried if i cancel them it will screw up my fico score.

[injustifiiable]

---

@newtocredit wrote:

2 of them are these Department store charge cards

American Eagle and JCPenny

I dont even use them.

... i am just worried if i cancel them it will screw up my fico score.

---

Oh, I see. GE doesn't regularly close cards for inactivity but you should make it a point to charge something to it every once in awhile just to be on the safe side.

If you're really that worried and can't be bothered to log in once a month to check stuff, you can always go back to paper statements. GE will automatically send you paper statements if you don't check your online statements for 3 months or more, anyway.

[john398]

I use Page Once and Mint and a spreadsheet to check mine although I do not think the sites are compatible with all cards

[newtocredit]

mint hasn't been working that well for me lately.. issues syncing. 

with BofA

and with GE!

i think i will shift back to paper.

[2NE1]

I used to have a JCPenney card opened in '07 and never used it, GE closed it in '09. So I think they give you a reasonable time to use it in order to keep it active, I think a two year frame wasn't bad, it would've been nice to get a letter from them though letting me know it was gonna get closed. I simply forgot I had this card.