A little while after we helped my senior citizen father apply for his credit card, he received it in the mail. This article will discuss the ways we helped him use and manage his new credit card.
My dad never used the major department store’s credit card he shared with my mother on his own. My senior citizen mother, before she passed away, would always be the one to use the credit card for purchases and she was also the one to pay the monthly bills. These are the reasons why my senior citizen father needed some help to get accustomed to using his new credit card.
Activating the Credit Card: We told my senior citizen father that he would need to call the number on the sticker that was placed on the front of the credit card to activate the credit card. We explained that to activate the credit card meant that after placing that phone call, he would be able to use the credit card for purchases.
Signing the Back of the Credit Card: We showed my senior citizen dad where he needed to sign his name on the back of the credit card before using the credit card.
Picking a Password: We explained to my senior citizen dad that in order to talk with a customer service representative from the credit card company, he needed to choose a password. He then chose a password, which he has used the few times that he needed to call the credit card company.
Using the Credit Card for Purchases: We told my senior citizen dad that in certain stores he would need to scan the credit card to pay for his purchases and that in some stores he would need to give his credit card to the clerk at the cash register. We mentioned to my senior citizen dad that if he had any trouble scanning the credit card that the clerk would assist him. We told my senior citizen dad to make sure that he always gets his credit card back after the clerk scans it.
Keeping Credit Card Receipts: We explained that it would be a good idea, after using the credit card, to keep all of his credit card receipts in an envelope. This way when the credit card statement arrives in the mail, my senior citizen dad can check to make sure that all of the charges on the statement are correct.
Knowing when the Credit Card Payment is Due: We told my senior citizen father that the payment for his credit card is usually due around the same time of the month. We explained that if the credit card statement does not come in time, he needs to call the customer service number listed on the back of the credit card to get the amount that is due, the due date, and the mailing address to send the payment.
Keeping Track of His Rewards: We showed my senior citizen dad the place on the credit card statement where he can see the amount of his rewards. We told him that whenever his rewards get to a certain amount, he could call the credit card company and request a check. He likes that idea!
We were glad that we helped my senior citizen dad manage his new credit card.
If you would like to read my article describing how we helped my senior citizen dad apply for his credit card, you may click here.
