Shoppers are being warned to be wary of seemingly good deals as credit card providers often hide the true cost, according to a financial advisor.

According to Moneyfacts, consumers should consider several things before signing up for a credit card deal including balance transfer deals, fees, incentives, the number of interest free days, repayment order and how interest is charged.

Andrew Britchford, credit card analyst from Moneyfacts, explains: "Providers often dangle one carrot by way of a competitive deal either on balance transfer rates, introductory or standard purchase rates in the hope the consumer will feast upon other facilities, and this is often where providers can earn."

He says the order of repayment is particularly important - it is not always clear whether a partial repayment will pay off a purchase, a cash advance or a balance transfer first – as some will be charged at higher rates than others.

He added: "Only HSBC, Nationwide BS and Liverpool Victoria use the ‘customer friendly’ option and repay the most expensive items first. However, it is important to note that other providers do not actively encourage purchasing on a card designed for balance transfers."

To find out which balance transfer credit card deals you can trust just compare them here on UKNetGuide.