No, they have rules to follow. They cannot call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. your time. They also should not call you at work if you tell them your employer doesn’t allow it. If you tell them in writing to stop calling you, they must stop (except to tell you about a specific action, like a lawsuit). Keeping a log of their calls can help if they break these rules. You have rights to peace and privacy.

Be very careful about closing old credit cards, especially if they have no annual fee. A big part of your score is based on the length of your credit history and how much credit you use compared to what you have available. Closing an old account can shorten your history and raise your credit usage. It’s often smarter to keep the account open. Just use the card for a small purchase once or twice a year to keep it active.

Pay your statement balance in full and on time, every single month. This is non-negotiable. The goal is to build credit without costing you money. When you pay the full balance by the due date, you pay zero interest. It turns your credit card into a powerful tool for your credit score instead of a debt trap. Setting up automatic payments from your bank account is a great way to never forget.

If you can’t pay the full amount, always pay at least the minimum payment by the due date to avoid late fees and credit score damage. Then, stop using the card immediately. Create a plan to pay off the remaining balance as fast as you can. Contact your card company; they might be able to help with a payment plan. This is a signal to spend less until the card is paid off.