Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this really a regular MasterCard®?
A: Yes. This is a standard unsecured MasterCard and is accepted at millions of locations.

Q: Will you report my account to credit bureaus?
A: Yes, we will report your payment history with us to all three major credit bureaus.

Q: What are the qualifications to apply for a credit card?
A: In order to apply for a Continental Finance MasterCard, issued by First Bank of Delaware, Wilmington, Delaware: 1.) You must be at least 18 years of age (age 19 in Alabama and Nebraska), 2.) Have a valid Social Security Number that can be verified with a consumer reporting agency, and 3.) Permanently reside and have a valid address in the U.S. The Continental Finance MasterCard, issued by First Bank of Delaware, Wilmington, Delaware, is not available to New York or Wisconsin residents. Credit approval may be determined upon review of a current credit bureau report and other information bearing on your creditworthiness.

Q. How do I apply?
A. Simply complete and submit the online application. It’s safe, secure and fast. If you satisfy our credit criteria and we can confirm your identification, you may get an approval within seconds from the time you provide all of the required information.

Q: Am I guaranteed to receive a credit card?
A: No. By applying for this credit card, you authorize us to verify the information provided on your application. You must meet certain minimum qualifications to apply and be considered for credit.

Q: How long does it take to decision my application for the Continental Finance MasterCard?
A: Decisions will generally take just a few seconds, if we are able to verify your application information. If not, you may be asked to send us documentation to verify your identity and/or proof of residence.

Q: If I’m approved for a Continental Finance MasterCard, how do I activate my credit card?
A: In order to activate your credit card, you MUST call us from the home phone number you provided us on your credit application. If you cannot call us from the home phone number you provided us on your credit application, we will be unable to activate your credit card. As a result, your account will be closed, all of your upfront fees will be reversed and you will have no remaining financial obligation to us.

Q: When will I receive my new Continental Finance credit card?
A: If approved, you will generally receive your new Continental Finance MasterCard and the associated Cardholder Agreement within 10 business days. If we are unable to approve your application, a declination letter will appear on the screen explaining why the decision was reached.

Q: Why are there fees to open this account?
A: This program was developed specifically for individuals with bad credit or those who had a previous bankruptcy. It is riskier, and consequently more expensive, to issue credit cards to individuals with a poor credit history. The fees are necessary to protect the company against potential losses that could result from defaults. If you have a good credit history this card may not be for you.

Q: Can I increase my credit limit?
A: Your Account will be reviewed periodically for a Credit Limit increase. Unless you opt out of automatic Credit Limit increases as provided below, you can qualify for Credit Limit increases, beginning with the sixth month your Account is open by satisfying our credit criteria at that time which may include criteria such as your record of timely payments and staying within your credit limit. After the first Credit Limit increase, you can receive additional increases as often as every one hundred eighty (180) days. Each Credit Limit increase will be $75.00, subject to a maximum Credit Limit of $2,000.00. Each increase will appear on your Account no later than one (1) month after you have qualified for such increase. At the time of each Credit Limit increase, a $25.00 Credit Limit Increase Fee, which is a FINANCE CHARGE, will be charged to your Account. If you do not want to be eligible for automatic Credit Limit increases, you must notify us in writing at Continental Finance, P.O. Box 8099, Newark, DE 19714-8099 or call us toll free at 1-800-518-6141. In addition, you may decline a Credit Limit increase, and avoid the $25.00 Credit Limit Increase Fee, by notifying us in writing at the address shown above, or by calling us toll free at 1-800-518-6141, within thirty (30) days of the date of the Billing Statement on which the Credit Limit increase appears on your Account, as long as you have not used any part of the increase for any Purchases or Cash Advances. We may change the criteria applied to determine your eligibility for a Credit Limit increase at any time in our sole discretion. In addition, we may elect, in our sole discretion, to modify or discontinue the practice of granting Credit Limit increases.

Q: What is the minimum monthly payment?
A:

• If the New Balance shown on your Monthly Billing Statement is less than or equal to $35.00, the Minimum Payment Due equals the New Balance
• If your New Balance exceeds $35.00, the Minimum Payment Due equals the greater of 5.00% of the New Balance or $35.00, plus any Overlimit Fee and/or Late Payment Fee assessed in the current Billing Cycle

Q: Is there an online payment option for this credit card?
A: Yes, by visiting www.ezCardinfo.com you can make your payment online. We also offer several other payment options. For information about these options, call 1-800-518-6141.

Q: When I make a payment, do you place a hold on the payment for a specified period of time?
A: All payments made are promptly posted to the Customers account when received, but depending on the type of payment, the funds may not be immediately available for use. Payments made by guaranteed funds (money orders, debit cards, credit cards, cashier’s checks, MoneyGram and Western Union) we will increase your credit availability on the day your payment is posted so there is no hold period. For all other payments, the credit availability will not increase until we are assured that the payment has not been dishonored. This payment hold will take at least seven (7) days.