Prepaid credit cards are similar to debit cards—to use the card, you must first load value onto the card via direct deposit or a transfer of money from a bank.

The terms of secured credit cards vary widely between card issuers.

A secured credit card is similar to a regular credit card in all ways but one: it is backed by a deposit you make into a bank account, which serves as security for the card.

Here are some questions to ask when comparing unsecured credit cards.

Once your credit has deteriorated, the rules of the game change, and your options for getting credit are limited.