What credit card companies don't tell you.

Little credit card charges that are bad news.

If you see a $1.26 charge to your credit card and wonder when you made such a small purchase, you may not have. Scammers often make a “test charge” on stolen cards at automated machines such as gas pumps. They want to see whether the card works and whether anyone is paying attention. The scammers then make larger purchases. If you notice such charges, call the card issuer immediately.

Tricks to raise your credit score.

If you use national bank credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express—instead of department store credit cards—you will boost your credit score. The reason: Credit bureaus rate payments to bank credit cards more favorably when scoring your credit report.

PLUS...Credit cards that pay you back big time.

If you want a cash-back credit card check the chart below. It has details on four programs that received the top ratings.