填空题

Today, more and more people are using credit cards instead of money to buy the things they need. Almost anyone who has a steady income and a good work record can apply for a credit card. There are many credit cards available: American Express, Master Chafe, VISA, and Diner’s Club are the names of some of the most popular.
If you have a credit card, you can buy a car, eat a dinner, take a trip, and even get a haircut by charging the cost to your account. In this way you can pay for purchases a month later without any extra charge. Or you may choose to spread out your payment over several months and pay only part of the total amount each month. If you do this, the credit card company, or the bank that sponsors the credit card, will add a small service charge to your total bill. This is very convenient for the customer. With the credit card in your wallet or purse, you don’t have to carry much cash. This saves your trips to the bank to cash checks or withdraw cash. Also, if you carry credit cards instead of a lot of cash, you don’t have to be concerned about losing your money through carelessness or theft. The card user only has to worry about paying the final bill. This, of course, can be a problem, if you charge more than you can pay for.
Credit cards are big business. Many banks sponsor their own credit card companies and issue cards free to their customers. Other credit card companies charge their members annual dues. The stores that accept credit cards must pay a small fee to the credit card company — a percentage of the purchase price of the merchandise or service, In turn, the credit card company promptly pays the store for the merchandise or service. Credit card companies make a profit from the fees they charge the store and also from the fees collected from customers who pay for their charges in monthly installments. However, credit card companies sometimes have problems collecting overdue payments from unreliable customers. Also, the use of stolen, lost, or counterfeit credit cards by criminal has become a big headache for the credit card company that’s responsible for the goods and services illegally charged to its customers’ accounts.
(382 words)
How long can the payment be put off without being charged