Make wise moves for your future with Advance, the Bank of Scotland credit card that can help you build your credit score to get closer to your financial goals.

You get helpful tips and guidance sent regularly to your inbox, along with access to short videos to help boost your credit knowledge.

And there's no foreign exchange fees from us when you spend abroad (interest charges still apply).

Plus, one interest rate applies, no matter how you use your card.

Advance can help you learn more about managing credit and feel in control of your spending – all while working towards your financial goals, whatever they are.

You can make the most of your credit score too.

Your score is a number that shows lenders how you've handled borrowing in the past. And gives them an idea of how likely you are to repay any future lending.

Regularly check your score for free in the app, browse your personalised tips and find your next best action to build it, so lenders can see that you're managing your money well.

And you can find everything you need in the app.

See a summary of your spending to know if you're close to your limit and set controls, make payments anytime, anywhere and turn on app notifications, so you're always in the know with your account.

Make your next move with Advance.

Find out more today.

So, how does a credit card work? While a debit card uses money in your bank account, A credit card borrows money, which you'll need to pay back later. The cost of borrowing comes down to two things: interest and fees. Interest is charged on the amount of money you borrow, which is worked out as a percentage and calculated over an amount of time. There are also fees and charges for things like late payments. Everyone gets a credit limit for their card.

This is the maximum you can borrow, and is based on your personal circumstances. Every month, you'll get a statement that tells you your balance, how much your minimum payment is and the due date to pay it by. If you have no borrowing on your credit card and the balance is £0, you won't get a statement. You can see this all in the app. If you pay off the entire balance before that month's due date, you won't be charged interest.

However, if you choose to pay it back over a longer period or make any cash transactions, interest will be added. As long as you pay at least the minimum amount, A credit card lets you change how much you pay back each month depending on your circumstances. So, if your budget is tight, you can just pay the minimum amount. Setting up a direct debit for at least your minimum monthly payment is a smart way to stay in control.

That way, you'll never miss a payment by accident. which can incur charges and be recorded on your credit report. If you regularly pay more than the minimum, you'll clear your balance faster and pay less interest on the amount you borrowed.

That's why it's best to pay as much as you can every month. Using a credit card responsibly can be a wise move. For example, it can help you build your credit score. and with a credit card, if something goes wrong with a purchase, such as a scam, faulty tech or canceled travel plans, then you're covered by something called section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. That means most purchases over £100 and up to £30,000 are protected, and we may be able to help you get your money back. Now that's a relief.

How to Pay Your Credit Card

So how do you pay your credit card every month?

Well, you can choose from a few different options.

The first is just to pay your minimum payment.

You can always make extra payments later on.

But don’t forget that paying just the minimum means you’ll pay interest and it’ll take you longer to pay off your balance.

The second is to pay off a more manageable amount above your minimum payment.

So you’ll clear your balance faster which could help you save money on interest.

You have the flexibility to vary how much extra you pay each month to suit your budget.

The third is to clear your full balance every month.

Paying off your credit card balance every month means you’ll avoid being charged interest on purchases.

But you’ll still be charged interest on any cash transactions.

You can also choose how you pay. By direct debit, online and using the app.

A direct debit is a wise move.

As it means you won’t have to worry about missing a payment.

That means avoiding late payment fees and any impact to your credit score.

And you can choose how much you want to pay and a payment date to suit you.

You can mix and match your options.

For example: You could set up a direct debit to pay off your balance in full every month. And save money on interest.

Or set up a direct debit to pay at least the minimum payment.

Then if you’ve got money left over, you could pay more.

You can do this online or by using the app.

Remember, if you make an extra payment, we may still collect your direct debit and full.

So overall, paying a bit extra can help bring your balance down faster.

And that’s how you pay your credit card.

Think you'd spot a scam if you saw one.

With scams on the rise and fraudsters after your details and your money,

we've got some tips to help you spot the signs...

So what should you watch out for?

Calls that you're not expecting could be a scam.

Fraudsters can pretend to be someone you trust, like your bank.

They'll often sound professional and want you to act urgently.

If you're not sure who you're speaking to - hang up. Don't share personal details, and don't transfer money if someone asks you to over the phone.

Calling 159 can help you check if it really was your bank that called you.

We’ll never, ever send you a link asking for personal or account details by text, SMS or a message platform like WhatsApp.

Fraudsters can be convincing. They might copy  sender's address and even add their message into an existing chain to make it look like part of a genuine chat.

But remember, if a link takes you to a login page, don't enter your details.

Fake websites are designed to steal your information.

There are lots of scams out there, including ones on social media.

But the more you know, the easier it is to stay safe.

Visit our fraud hub to learn about common scams and how to avoid them.

Most credit cards come with an interest rate.

That means when you borrow money on a credit card, you’ll be charged a percentage of what you borrow. And that’s called interest.

Let’s see how that works...

When you spend on your credit card you’re using money that you are borrowing from your credit card provider.

If you pay back that money by your payment due date every month then you won’t be charged interest.

But if you only pay back the minimum amount or part of what you owe, or

make any cash transactions, then interest is added. The higher the interest is, the more expensive it’ll be for you to borrow.

The lower it is, the less expensive it’ll be.

It’s important to note that interest is just the percentage of the money you’ve borrowed.

It doesn’t include any fees or other credit card charges like late payments or charges for cash withdrawals.

You’ll find details of interest rates and how interest is charged on your latest statement, or in the terms and conditions of your account.

So that’s interest covered...

find out what APR means in the next video.

So, what does APR mean?

APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. And it‘s one way of calculating what you pay on your borrowing. APR includes standard credit card fees.

Like application fees and annual fees, as well as the interest you‘ll pay. So it gives you a better picture of how much you could pay across a year.

Because a credit card isn‘t free money. It‘s a tool... and APR is the cost of using that tool over time.

Think of it like this...

When you use a credit card the APR tells you the cost of borrowing.

The higher the APR rate, the more you‘ll pay an interest. And if you don‘t pay off what you owe each month, that‘s called ‘carrying a balance’.

And that‘s when the APR kicks in.  It‘s really important to set up a direct debit to make at least your minimum monthly payment, so you don‘t forget and miss a payment. And that‘s a wise move.

What's a credit score anyway?

A credit score is an important part of borrowing money.

When you borrow, lenders look at several factors to decide if they can lend to you responsibly.

A good credit score usually means: you’ve managed your accounts carefully, made payments on time, and kept well within your credit limit.

The higher your score, the more likely lenders will offer you credit.

You'll potentially receive lower interest rates and higher credit limits.

Credit reference agencies hold key information about you and your financial history.

They use data from public records and lenders to understand more about your credit history.

Your credit score can go up or down.

And there are ways you can help move it up, and reasons why it might go down.

A healthy credit score can open doors to better borrowing rates and help you achieve your goals, like getting on the property ladder or finance for a new car.

And that’s why keeping an eye on your score is a wise move.

Know the score

Check Your Credit Score

Check yours for free in the app.

5 simple steps.

1. Log on to our Mobile Banking app
2. Find Your Credit Score in the ‘Borrow’ tab
3. Register to check your score
4. View your TransUnion credit report
5. Explore the tools available

Register on the Mobile Banking app.

Credit score data is powered by TransUnion. Your Credit Score is available to UK Residents age 18 or over and registered for Internet Banking. Credit report access is subject to T&Cs.