Consumer guide

Credit cards for bad credit

Key facts

Credit cards for bad credit
MeasureValueYear
apr disclosure required[1]Card issuers must disclose each periodic rate used to compute the finance charge and the corresponding annual percentage rate under the Truth in Lending Act.2026
card billing dispute note[2]A creditor that receives a cardholder's written notice of a billing error within 60 days after sending the statement must follow the federal billing-error investigation procedure.2026
card billing dispute window days[2]602026
credit card shopping note[3]The CFPB publishes a consumer tools hub on credit cards covering key terms such as APR, how to dispute a charge, and advance notice of significant term changes.2026

Sources

  1. Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute. 15 U.S. Code 1637 - Open end consumer credit plans.
  2. Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute. 15 U.S. Code 1666 - Correction of billing errors.
  3. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Credit cards.

Representative example

Amount borrowed
$1,000
Annual percentage rate (APR)
29.99%
Repayment
12 monthly payments
Payment
$97.48
Finance charge
$169.76
Total of payments
$1,169.76

Example: a $1,000 installment loan at 29.99% APR repaid in 12 monthly payments of $97.48 costs $1,169.76 in total, including a finance charge of $169.76. Illustration only; your lender will disclose your actual APR, payment schedule and total cost before you accept a loan.