Capital One secured cardholder resources

If you’re building credit, a secured credit card could help you on your financial journey. And because some journeys are better with a guide, Capital One is here with free resources to help secured cardholders reach their destination.

What you’ll learn:

• Paying your statement on time each month is an example of using your card responsibly. 

• Setting up automatic payments with AutoPay can help you avoid late or missed payments.

• CreditWise from Capital One can help you track your progress and monitor your credit.

• There’s also custom account alerts, the Capital One Mobile app, Learn & Grow articles and the Money & Life Program to help you on your journey.

Secured credit cards  are “secured” because they require a refundable security deposit. It’s like putting down a deposit to rent an apartment. And when used responsibly, they can be a great tool to build credit and transition to an unsecured card. 

It’s ultimately cardholders behind the wheel and driving. But as you’ll see, Capital One cardholders have free resources to help them make payments, manage their accounts, monitor their credit and more.

Here are a few Capital One resources to help kick-start your credit journey.

When you know what’s going on with your account, it’s easier to manage it and avoid surprises. Kind of like getting turn-by-turn directions and updates from your GPS. Explore a few ways you can manage it all—whether you’re signed in online, using the Capital One mobile app or adding a browser extension.

• Use the app to manage your accounts anytime, anywhere. 

• Set up email and text alerts to track purchases, balances, refunds, suspicious activity and more.

• Explore other security features and safety tips to provide peace of mind.

• Create virtual cards to keep your accounts secure when you shop online.

If you’re like most people, credit card payments aren’t your only monthly expense. And trying to pay all your bills at once might feel like starting a long road trip with an empty gas tank. 

It might give you more control of your finances if you spread out when bills are due each month. That’s why Capital One lets you choose your payment due date.

With AutoPay, you can put payments on cruise control. AutoPay is simple to set up. And you can pick the amount that works best for you, knowing payments will always be on time. If your finances change or you change your mind, you can hit the brakes by canceling AutoPay.

Monitoring your credit could help you understand how credit scoring works. CreditWise is a free tool that lets you access your credit report and credit score. Think of it like a compass pointing you in the right direction to:

• Keep up with credit reporting. CreditWise will let you know when something meaningful changes on your TransUnion or Experian credit reports, keeping you more connected to credit changes.

• Monitor your personal information. CreditWise scans the dark web for your Social Security number and email address, alerting you to potential identity theft and fraudulent activity.

• Test financial decisions. The CreditWise Simulator uses information from your actual credit report to show you how financial decisions could affect your credit score. You can use the interactive tool to test what might happen if you do things like continue to make on-time payments, pay off your balance, or borrow money to buy a home or a car.

When you’re driving and random lights in the dashboard pop on, your first move might be to check the owner’s manual. It can help you figure out what’s going on and learn a little more about how your car works. 

In the same way, Learn & Grow articles can help you understand credit and finances. There are hundreds of articles to explore—you’re reading one of them right now. And you don’t even have to search through other junk in the glove box to find them.

Learn & Grow articles draw on industry professionals, government resources and Capital One experts to keep you informed. Articles cover all kinds of topics, including how to use a credit card responsibly, how payment history affects your credit, what to know about minimum payments and so much more.

Joyrides are called that for a reason. But when you’re on a journey, it’s nice to know where you’re headed. 

The Money & Life Program is all about connecting your life goals with your financial behaviors. The program offers free self-guided exercises, one-on-one sessions with professional mentors and on-demand video workshops. You can start with whatever feels right for you.

No matter where your credit journey takes you, Capital One will be along for the ride, with free digital tools, ongoing financial education and lots more. If you need more help, Capital One customer service is here too. Find the answers you need with interactive menus and contact information.

And if you don’t already have a secured card from Capital One, you can compare options and see whether you’re pre-approved for card offers before you apply.