How to check your credit card balance

Every month, you get a statement from your credit card company showing everything you’ve spent and your current balance.

Seeing your balance once a month may not be enough, however. If overspending is a danger, especially if you share an account with someone, it can be a bit late to find out when the statement comes.

If you’re close to your available credit limit, you need to know your current balance before you try to make purchases. And if thieves steal your account information, they could run up your account with unauthorized charges for weeks before you read your credit card statement.

The only way to stay in complete control of your credit card accounts is to always know how much you owe. It’s not hard. Here are ways to quickly check your card balance today.

How to check your credit card balance

Call your credit card issuer

You can check your balance by phone any time, and you won’t even need to wait to talk to a customer service representative.

Enter the phone number on the back of your credit card and follow the automated service instructions. You will be asked for your account number and identifying information. You’ll hear your account balance, as well as other information such as your most recent purchase amount.

Check your online account

If you haven’t used your credit card company’s website before, look for the address on your credit card or statement.

You’ll need to create an account with a secure password, and you might want to bookmark the log-in page. Once you’re all set, you can check your balance, see purchases and payments, and even pay your bill in one place. For security reasons, don’t let your computer save your username and password for your bank.

Use your bank’s mobile app

Download your credit card company’s app on your mobile phone, and you’ll access your account and see recent transactions, payments and balance. You can even make payments or chat with a customer service representative.

Avoid storing your password, and possibly even your username, on your mobile app. Anyone who picks up your phone can access your account if it’s not protected.

Send a text to your bank

You may be able to bank by text, or at least quickly check your balance. For example, if you have a Chase credit card, you can text Chase at 24273, and it will text back your account balance and other information.

Bottom line

Credit card companies report your balance to the credit bureaus at one point during the billing cycle – and chances are it’s not right after you pay your bill. So, you could pay your balance off every month, but your credit report could show you had a large balance on the day your account was reported.

This could hurt your credit utilization ratio – the amount you owe in relation to your available credit. When your credit score matters most, such as when you are planning to apply for a mortgage, check your balance frequently and try to keep your balances below 30% of your available credit throughout the month.