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Top Ten Tips For Getting The Right Credit Card
By Max Hunter

Dodging through the Maze and Getting The Best Deal Going

Purchasing any financial product can be a difficult matter. The
marketplace is one fraught with complications and offers are
thrown your way from all directions. Sometimes it can all seem
overwhelming. Who do you buy from? Who do you believe? What is
the right deal for YOU?

To simplify matters, and make it easier for you to get the best
deal possible, we’ve compiled our top ten tips for getting the
right credit card.

1) The first and most important thing to understand before you
consider any financial product, particularly a credit card, is
this: You must have income sufficient to pay your current bills
and overheads PLUS at the very least your credit card minimums
payment each and every month. Ideally you should aim to pay
back as much of your balance as possible month on month. Ensure
that you do, and the ball’s rolling…

2) Consider just how much you can afford to borrow. Credit card
companies operate by pumping up your credit limit until it
reaches the stage where you’re so ensnared by the lure of cheap
finance that you have followed the balance right up to the top.
When this happens consumers can only pay back the minimum
balance – around 2.5 per cent of the overall balance – each
month. Given the high interest rates involved, this can mean
paying back as little as just one of a percent off the balance
each month. It doesn’t take a math genius to figure out the
problems that this can cause. Operate a maximum balance rule
and abide by it. If you’re unsure of whether you’re disciplined
enough to follow it, get the credit card company to lower you
limit accordingly. If you’re sure that you can afford a credit
card in the first place, and follow no other rule – then follow
this one!

3) Boost your credit rating as much as possible before actually
applying for a credit card. The better your credit rating, the
lower your interest repayments and the less money that will end
up in the hands of the lender. You can do this in a variety of
easy ways in the months before you apply for your credit card.
Paying your bills in a timely manner; closing unused retail
store cards, credit cards and old bank accounts with overdraft
facilities all help. Likewise if you have maintained a healthy
and long-standing arrangement with a bank or other lender.
Don’t apply for a stack of credit cards, loans and so on,
unless you’re absolutely sure it’s the right product for you.
It goes without saying that you should never apply for a credit
line unless you use it.

4) If you have or have had credit rating problems, it’s
definitely worth applying to a credit reference agency, like
Experian, and checking it out. As with all companies errors
unfortunately happen all the time. Erroneous reports of missed
payments, referrals to debt collectors and even bankruptcies
can scupper your chances of getting a low rate of interest and
even a credit card altogether. It’s vital that you get rid of
black marks on your credit rating. Query everything and haggle
with credit reference agencies so that only the information
that is listed on your credit history that should be there, is
there.

5) Transferring the balance of your credit card to another one
is a way of paying off your existing debt at a cheaper rate. In
many cases this can be set at 0 per cent for a period of a
number of months, before reverting to a higher rate. By
switching to such a card – and then another at the end of the
interest free term, and maybe even another after that – it
gives you a clear run at reducing your debt, without it
spiraling ever further upwards. Even if you’re still only
paying 2.5 per cent off the balance a month, far better to do
that than knocking off one half of a per cent, or less.

6) If you have no debt obligations, are patient and diligent,
and want to get one over the credit companies while making a
tidy profit yourself, keep reading. Scan the market for credit
cards offering ‘Super Balance Transfers’ – where you can
transfer money into your bank account at 0% for a fixed time –
and take one out. Max it out and transfer it into a high
interest bank account. Don’t touch it. Now, ensure you make the
minimum payment each month and pay the balance off at the end
with the money you’ve banked. When all that’s done, you should
be pleasantly surprised with the nest egg of interest left over
in your savings account.

7) If a bad credit card is all that’s available to you, it is
best that you use it as little as possible and pay off the
balance in full at the end of every month. Don’t use it for big
purchases as interest is likely to be high. By proving that you
are a responsible lender with a high interest credit card, your
credit rating will go up and cards with lower APRs will be made
available to you in the fullness of time.

8) Consumers who spend on a card, but don’t clear the debt each
month should focus on minimizing the interest cost. Search the
market for the lowest purchase rate available, but also keep in
mind the day when you’ll clear the balance in full (e.g. bonus
time; when your bonds mature, etc.) and don’t let the balance
spiral beyond your means.

9) If you pay off your balance in full each month then the
interest rate is irrelevant. Focus instead on the gains
available from using the card for spending. The key to this is
the reward scheme offered. Many credit cards offer points
schemes or even cash-back. There’s a huge array of different
schemes, but by picking the right one you can benefit
substantially. It’s often simpler just to go for a Cashback
card, where the benefits are more apparent, but sometimes
reward schemes offer great inducements – particularly when they
offer double points to new customers, and so on.

10) The minute you think you might have a credit card debt
problem, do something to redress it. Help and advice is always
at hand and things are usually less bad than they first seem.

About the Author: Max Hunter is the author of many credit
related articles. If you are looking for help with Home Loans
or any other type of credit issue please visit us at
http://www.creditcardunlimited.com

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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Boosting Your Credit Score To Get The Best Credit Card Deal
By Ethan Hunter

Making Your Credit Rating Work For You

One of the basics of getting the most competitive credit card
deal in the market is to ensure you have the best credit record
possible. Few of us are lucky enough to be earning a six-figure
salary, and many people are likely to have other financial
undertakings that a potential lender will want to take into
account. None of this, however, should preclude you from
getting a top bracket credit rating. Getting a credit score of
700+ may be beyond some consumers, but lifting your credit
rating to a point at which lenders will furnish you with some
of their best deals is not an insurmountable task.

It can be a stressful time applying for a new line of credit.
Many consumers get upset when applying for a new credit card
when they find out their credit score is low, and they have
poor credit.

A lower credit score can impact the amount of money that
financial institutions will lend you. It can also impact on the
rate of interest at which you borrow. In some cases, the
difference between having an excellent credit rating and a poor
one could be getting a 0% deal on your credit card, and paying
an APR that touches 30%. Sometimes financial institutions won’t
even lend you a dime, based on a low credit score.

A variety of factors can impact on your credit score. Generally
speaking, lenders love stability more than anything else. Paying
amounts owed on time is but one of many variables. It could be
that you’ve lived in more than one address over the preceding
three years; or having borrowings with a variety of
institutions. It could even be down to the fact that you’ve got
too much credit already at your disposal.

But just what goes into your credit score? A report by the
analytics experts Fair Issac recently broke credit scoring down
into five categories and assessed their importance on the final
rating.

Most important was how you had paid you bills in the past with
the most emphasis on recent activity. Naturally, paying all
your bills on time is good; paying them consistently late is
bad. Having accounts that were sent to collection agencies is
even worse, though nowhere near as bad as declaring bankruptcy.
Paying your bills in a timely and consistent manner contributed
to 35 percent of the score.

Next most important was the amount of money you owe and the
amount of available credit at your disposal. The assessment of
outstanding debt fell into several categories, and included
credit cards, car loans, mortgages, home equity lines, and so
on. Also given consideration was the total amount of credit
available. If a customer has 10 credit cards that each have
$10,000 credit limits, that totals $100,000 of available
credit. Generally speaking, people who have a lot of credit
available tend to use it. This makes them a less attractive
credit risk. This amounts to 30 per cent of the total credit
score.

Also impacting on credit scores is the length of credit history
(15 percent). The longer a customer has had credit –
particularly if it's with the same financial institution – the
more points they get.

The mix of credit contributes 10 percent to the credit score.
Customers with the best scores have a mix of both revolving
credit, such as credit cards, and installment credit, such as
mortgages and car loans. Statistically, consumers with a richer
variety of experiences are better credit risks. As far as banks
and credit card companies are concerned, they know how to
handle money.

The last important factor taken into consideration is new
credit applications (10 percent). If you’ve applied for several
lines of credit in the past few months this will negatively
impact your credit score.

The antidotes to this are simple. Pay your bills in a timely
manner, particularly in the months leading up to an
application. Close unused retail store cards, credit cards and
old bank accounts with overdraft facilities. Maintain
long-standing and healthy arrangements with banks and other
lenders. Don’t apply for a stack of credit cards, loans and so
on, unless you’re absolutely sure it’s the right product for
you. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t apply for a
credit line unless you use it.

There’s a sixth factor that can contribute enormously to a
negative credit rating. In 2001 it became possible for
customers to get their own credit score in exchange for a small
fee. In the past, prospective lenders were able to keep this
score hidden, and many unscrupulous institutions used this
knowledge to charge a higher APR on credit. By being aware of
your credit score lenders can't lie and say your score was low
and charge higher APR on your credit card.

More importantly, it’s vital that you get rid of black marks on
your credit rating. Errors unfortunately happen all the time,
and erroneous reports of missed payments, referrals to debt
collectors and even bankruptcies can scupper your chances of
getting a low rate of interest and even a credit card
altogether. Query everything and haggle with credit reference
agencies so that only the information that is listed on your
credit history that should be there, is there.

You can find out your credit history by applying to one of
several companies. Many offer an online service and can furnish
you with the information both quickly and cheaply. Equifax,
Truecredit and Consumerinfo are some of the best such
providers.

Patience is the key to getting a great credit score – and the
best credit deals. You’re never going to make the jump from
having a credit score of 500 to one of 700 overnight, but by
implementing easy to follow and practical strategies, you can
quite easily leverage your credit score to a rating that is
respected by all concerned.

About the Author: Ethan Hunter is the author of many credit
related articles. If you are looking for help with Home Loans
or any type of credit issue please visit us at
http://www.creditcardunlimited.com

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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How To Get The Credit You Need For Your Small Business
By Gregg Hall

Getting credit for your small business can be as difficult as getting personal credit. The first place you want to start is with a bank. Most small businesses have to start with some type of bank loan to cover starting costs. The best way to approach the banker is with a complete business plan. Don't pass over the small things. Start with a mission statement and other documented commitments. Then move into projected profits and secondary plans of action if the first one fails. With a complete business plan a bank is more likely to extend credit.

After establishing credit with a bank under your business's name it is then possible to apply for a business credit card. With a business credit card it is possible to make purchases for things you need in a hurry. You never know what is going to happen from one day to the next and might need to come up with fast money. For example, there might be a day when one of your office machines breaks down and is not fixable. With a credit card it is possible to get a new one with out it becoming a problem. There are some offices that can not maintain a normal working day without a fax machine or a computer.

Many of the credit card companies do offer rewards and incentives to use their card. These can be frequent flyer miles or cash back after spending a certain amount. They can also be a valuable tool for someone who has to be on the road a lot. There are rewards attached to different cards that can get you a discount at certain hotels or cheaper meals. It is not a good idea to carry cash, if a credit card is lost or stolen it is usually easy to replace. Any charges made with the card after it is reported stolen are not put onto the account.

One the best features of using a credit card for a small business is that you get a statement of your spending every month. This is great for the person who doesn't have time to do an accounting of their spending on a daily basis. It is especially handy for multiple card accounts to keep track of what everyone else on the account is spending. These statements can help when it comes to tax time, to figure out the nontaxed business related expenses.

Establishing a line of credit this way is good for a small business. There are some large businesses that will not collaborate with a small business until they achieve a certain credit rating. So get out there and spend, pay your bills on time, and have a successful business.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as business books at http://www.executivebusinessbooksummaries.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Get-The-Credit-You-Need-For-Your-Small-Business&id=336851

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Raise Credit Score - Avoiding Common Credit Mistakes
By Carrie Reeder

The majority of people with a low credit score have likely misused credit. Understandably, some people develop bad credit because of situations beyond their control. These may include sickness, loss of employment, etc. Fortunately, there are ways to raise your credit score. However, to keep a high credit score, using credit wisely is a must. Here are a few tips to help you maintain a high credit rating.

Limit the Amount of Credit Accounts

If you have too much available credit, the temptation to spend money will arise. To avoid this common problem, avoid opening several lines of credit. If you are a student or have good credit, it is easy to get approved for a major credit card. Although credit card companies will generously extend credit, you do not have to accept their offer.




Closing a credit account may decrease your credit rating. If you are unable to exercise self-control and need to close a few credit accounts, it would be better to cancel the newest credit accounts.

Pay More than the Minimum Payments

Carrying a small revolving credit card balance is not harmful. However, if you use your credit card very regularly, it is essential to payoff the balance periodically. The minimum payments barely reduce the finance fees. Thus, to maintain a low credit card balance and a high credit rating, strive to pay more than the minimum payment.

Avoid Credit Card Cash Advances

Most credit cards offer cash advances. With this option, you may visit an ATM machine and withdraw funds from your credit account. Be aware that credit card companies charge high rates and extra fees for cash advances. In this case, minimum payments may increase until the cash advance funds are repaid.

Make Regular Credit Card Monthly Payments

Try using one of ABC Loan Guide's Recommended Sources For a Free Copy of Your Credit Report.

Skipping a credit card payment has several consequences. Aside from the credit card company reporting late payments to the three credit bureaus, companies also charge late fees and may increase the interest rate by several points. Failure to repay a credit card will result in a snowball effect. When this happens, it becomes impossible to keep up with the payments.

View our recommended online Credit Repair Services. Also, view our recommended sources for Credit Card Debt Help Online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carrie_Reeder
http://EzineArticles.com/?Raise-Credit-Score---Avoiding-Common-Credit-Mistakes&id=158966

New Credit Card Machines 802

Raise Credit Score - Avoiding Common Credit Mistakes
By Carrie Reeder

The majority of people with a low credit score have likely misused credit. Understandably, some people develop bad credit because of situations beyond their control. These may include sickness, loss of employment, etc. Fortunately, there are ways to raise your credit score. However, to keep a high credit score, using credit wisely is a must. Here are a few tips to help you maintain a high credit rating.



Limit the Amount of Credit Accounts

If you have too much available credit, the temptation to spend money will arise. To avoid this common problem, avoid opening several lines of credit. If you are a student or have good credit, it is easy to get approved for a major credit card. Although credit card companies will generously extend credit, you do not have to accept their offer.

Closing a credit account may decrease your credit rating. If you are unable to exercise self-control and need to close a few credit accounts, it would be better to cancel the newest credit accounts.

Pay More than the Minimum Payments

Carrying a small revolving credit card balance is not harmful. However, if you use your credit card very regularly, it is essential to payoff the balance periodically. The minimum payments barely reduce the finance fees. Thus, to maintain a low credit card balance and a high credit rating, strive to pay more than the minimum payment.

Avoid Credit Card Cash Advances

Most credit cards offer cash advances. With this option, you may visit an ATM machine and withdraw funds from your credit account. Be aware that credit card companies charge high rates and extra fees for cash advances. In this case, minimum payments may increase until the cash advance funds are repaid.

Make Regular Credit Card Monthly Payments

Try using one of ABC Loan Guide's Recommended Sources For a Free Copy of Your Credit Report.

Skipping a credit card payment has several consequences. Aside from the credit card company reporting late payments to the three credit bureaus, companies also charge late fees and may increase the interest rate by several points. Failure to repay a credit card will result in a snowball effect. When this happens, it becomes impossible to keep up with the payments.

View our recommended online Credit Repair Services. Also, view our recommended sources for Credit Card Debt Help Online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carrie_Reeder
http://EzineArticles.com/?Raise-Credit-Score---Avoiding-Common-Credit-Mistakes&id=158966

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Credit Card Debt – Watch Your Credit Report And Your Bill
By Charles Essmeier

Most consumers are aware of the importance of their credit
report. This document, offered to consumers and lenders by the
three major credit bureaus, offers a fairly complete list of
financial transactions and debts incurred by a consumer.
Lenders examine the report, along with the associated FICO
score, to determine whether a consumer is worthy of receiving
additional credit or loans. What many consumers may not know is
that credit card companies regularly check their credit reports,
and unfavorable entries may result in a higher interest rate on
their credit cards.

We have previously noted that many credit card companies employ
something known as a “universal default clause” in their terms
of service. This clause allows the company to raise interest
rates on the customer’s card if the customer pays bills late. A
late payment to the phone company could result in a higher
interest rate on the Visa card. Most companies also allow
themselves the latitude to raise their customers’ interest
rates for any reason at all. With this in mind, the credit card
companies tend to run occasional credit checks on their
customers, often raising rates if they notice any activity
that, in their opinion, makes the customer a higher risk. This
might happen even if the customer has a history of paying his
or her credit card bills on time.

The sorts of things that may create a “risky” client include
taking out additional loans, additional credit cards, or
building balances on existing cards to at or near their limits.
The companies justify this activity by saying that consumers who
do these things create greater risk for the lender, and these
costs must be passed on to all of their customers. The problem
for the customer is that these higher interest rates are often
assigned without warning. The new rate applies to existing
balances, too. An interest rate hike today could mean that the
television you bought last fall has suddenly become more
expensive.

What can consumers do? Keep an eye on your credit card bill and
your credit report. You can receive a copy of your credit
report, for free, at http://www.annualcreditreport.com. As for
your credit card bill, watch the interest rate. If it abruptly
changes to a higher rate, call your credit card issuer and ask
them about it. They will often reduce the rate if you call and
complain. If not, your only option may be to shop around for
another card.

About the Author: ©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles
Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to
informational Websites, including http://www.End-Your-Debt.com,
a site devoted to debt consolidation and credit counseling.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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Small Business Credit Card Processing
By Thomas Morva

Credit card payment is one of the most popular payment options on the Internet. If you own a small business and do not have a merchant account, you might find it difficult to accept credit cards. However, it is advisable to find a means to accept credit cards on your website because it is the best way to expand your customer base. Moreover, the money transaction will take place within a week.

Small businesses can accept credit cards through 3rd party processors, who will handle the entire processing. For the small business community where cash flow is less or sometimes tight, this is a most welcome alternative. Credit card processing is not very cheap. A standard fee schedule for a small-volume account with less than 1,000 monthly transactions would be a start up fee of around $200, and monthly processing fees of $20.

If you have your own website, secure and encrypted connections are the foremost requirement you need for safe credit card processing. You should also have fraud prevention tools to prevent credit card scams.

Credit card processors whom small business owners can rely on are of several types; banks are the most dependable though. Third party credit card processing companies, independent sales organizations, financial service providers, etc. act as credit card processors. While there are several credit card processing companies, the two important factors that one should look at before setting up an agreement would be "price" and "customer service potentiality" of the credit card processors.

The merchant account provider you sign up with, might require an assurance that you have a thorough knowledge of your business environment, can identify the possible risks, know how to prevent or reduce fraud etc.

Credit Card Processing provides detailed information on Credit Card Processing, Online Credit Card Processing, Credit Card Processing Software, Wireless Credit Card Processing and more. Credit Card Processing is affiliated with Wireless Credit Card Terminals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva
http://EzineArticles.com/?Small-Business-Credit-Card-Processing&id=353160

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Free Credit Card Processing
By Thomas Morva

It is difficult to run a successful e-commerce project without being able to make credit card transactions. Credit card processing involves many things, such as the verification of the consumer's credit card number, expiry date, and other data connected with credit cards.

If you are a beginner in business, free credit card processing services would be an ideal option for you. Unlike regular credit card processing, you don't have to pay for expensive credit card processing software, customer service fees, a secure server, minimum transaction fees, and monthly gateway fees when using free credit card processing.

Most free credit card processing companies charge only a nominal fee per transaction or a monthly percentage fee. Therefore, free processing helps you save a significant amount of money every month. However, this does not work well when merchant accounts are involved. Regular credit card processing involves the payment of a statement fee, a minimum fee, a discount fee, and a license fee, in addition to start-up fees.

If you opt to go with free credit card processing, it is advisable that you visit a credit processing firm to learn what kind of transactions are generally done in credit card processing. Third party credit card processing companies can be a good resource for those who are looking for a less expensive means to accept credit cards online. They normally offer free credit card processing services. Their merchant account doesn?t charge any fee for many transactions, including phone, fax, retail, mail, Internet, or wireless businesses.

Lots of free credit card processing companies do not entail creating your own merchant account. Today, many online businesses make use of free credit card processing. They include CCBill, iBill, V-Share, and ShareIt.

Credit Card Processing provides detailed information on Credit Card Processing, Online Credit Card Processing, Credit Card Processing Software, Wireless Credit Card Processing and more. Credit Card Processing is affiliated with Wireless Credit Card Terminals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva
http://EzineArticles.com/?Free-Credit-Card-Processing&id=353155

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International Credit Card Processing
By Thomas Morva

International credit card processing refers to the processing of multi-currency credit card payments. This enables one to offer products and services in over 169 different currencies and receive payment for them in over 29 remittance currencies. Business firms can thereby expand their business into new sales regions and offer a payment routine to customers from different regions of the world.

Banks and their subsidiaries are permitted to issue International Credit Cards. A single card issued would be valid in all countries where dollar transactions can be made. An international credit card helps one avail of services such as air ticket reservations, car rentals, and hotel reservations abroad. Credit card plans also include insurance coverage for theft and fraud.

Processing an international credit card involves authorizing credit cards, withdrawing funds and placing funds in the merchant?s bank account. For this processing, the merchant needs an international merchant account. The international merchant account is an agreement between a credit card processor and the merchant that establishes the rules for accepting credit card purchases and transferring funds. A description of how it works would be appropriate in this context. Imagine that a merchant in USA wants to sell products to a buyer in Europe. The merchant uses the credit card processing company for sale of pictures. The products are sold to the buyer for Euro and remittance will be made in dollars.

Some international credit cards are American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa, etc. Processing of credit cards is done automatically using appropriate software program. The service of an international credit card processing company can also be utilized for processing international credit cards. The credit card processor provides the expertise and merchant account to help businessmen accept credit cards from buyers of other countries. These companies provide Internet merchant account also so that the merchant can accept credit card online. There are several companies that offer credit card processing services anywhere in the world.

Credit Card Processing provides detailed information on Credit Card Processing, Online Credit Card Processing, Credit Card Processing Software, Wireless Credit Card Processing and more. Credit Card Processing is affiliated with Wireless Credit Card Terminals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva
http://EzineArticles.com/?International-Credit-Card-Processing&id=353156

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Identity Theft: Don't Be A Victim!
By Matthew Keegan

Moments after stepping out of the taxi, Rachel plunged through the entranceway of the hotel lobby eager to put behind what had been a terribly exhausting day. Flight delays due to weather had caused her LAX-MDW-BWI trip to take nearly eleven hours to complete. All she could think of was taking off her shoes to relieve her aching feet and dipping them into soothing, warm bath water.

The line at the front desk was mercifully short. One clerk caught Rachel's attention and signaled her forward — she gave him her reservation information and then dug out her American Express card for payment. As he stepped away to verify its authenticity Rachel's eyes surveyed the lobby. "They've updated everything since I was last here", she thought. Her concentration, clouded by fatigue, was now on the mission style tables, chairs, and light fixtures, which had replaced the heavy, wooden furniture previously occupying the lobby. "Here is your card and room key, ma'am," the clerk interrupted minutes later. Quickly, Rachel stuffed her card back into her wallet, gathered her bags and whisked away to her room.

Rachel was a victim of identity theft that night, but did not know it at the time. Had she kept a watchful eye on what her clerk was doing instead of studying the lobby, she might have noticed him switching cards on her. At the very least, she would have seen that the card handed to her beneath her room key was not her own.

Identity theft is an exploding problem that has increased exponentially in this technological age. Particularly since the early 1990s thieves have been taking advantage of what we would consider every day transactions: writing a check at the grocery store, ordering merchandise via the internet, applying for a credit card, using your cell phone, and more. Each transaction requires you to share personal information: your bank and credit card account numbers; your income, your Social Security Number (SSN); and your name, address, and phone numbers.

An identity thief will lift some piece of your personal information and appropriate it without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft. One of the most common methods is when the identity thief uses your personal information to open a credit card account in your name.

The Federal Trade Commission is the arm of the federal government tasked with overseeing the problem of identity theft. A special hotline number (1-877-IDTHEFT) was created for consumers to call to place your information in a database which is accessible with other law enforcement agencies and private entities, including any companies about which you may complain. Additionally, an ID Theft Affidavit — a form you can use to alert companies where a new account was opened in your name — can be filled out and given to the company. This affidavit is available online to consumers.

Identity thieves can get your personal information in a number of ways:

* They steal wallets and purse containing your i.d. and credit and bank cards.

* They steal your mail, including your bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, telephone calling cards and tax information.

* They complete a "change of address form" to divert your mail to another location.

* They rummage through your trash, or the trash of businesses, for personal data in a practice known as "dumpster diving."

* They fraudulently obtain your credit report by posing as a landlord, employer or someone else who may have a legitimate need for — and a legal right to — the information.

* They get your business or personnel records at work.

* They find personal information in your home.

* They use personal information you share on the internet.

* They buy your personal information from "inside" sources. For example, an identity thief may pay a store employee for information about you that appears on an application for goods, services or credit.

Identity thieves will then take the personal information they have obtained about you and use it in a number of different ways:

* They will call your credit card issuer and, pretending to be you, ask to change the mailing address on your credit card account. The imposter then runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to the new address, it may take some time before you realize that there is a problem.

* They open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth and SSN. When they sue the credit card and don't pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report.

* They establish phone or wireless service in your name.

* They open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.

* They file for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they have incurred under your name, or to avoid eviction.

* They counterfeit checks or debits cards, and drain your bank account.

* They buy cars by taking out auto loans in your name.

Fortunately for Rachel, American Express covered her losses. Although she didn't find out about the theft until she reached her home in California, American Express suspended her account when a number of suspicious charges appeared and she couldn’t be reached by them to verify the charges. Their fraud department left a message on her phone answering machine instructing her to call them and, when she did, Rachel was notified that someone else was using her card. When she explained that she had the card in her possession, she checked her purse and found a card for someone else instead.

Visa, MasterCard and American Express absorb the cost of fraud as long as they are notified by the consumer [certain restrictions may apply — check with your card issuer for specific details]. Had Rachel used a debit card, the story might have been much different. Unlike a credit card, the debit card takes a direct hit on your bank account, meaning that you will have to absorb the loss.

So, all is well with Rachel, right? Sure, American Express overnighted a new card with a new account number for Rachel to use on her next trip, but the problem could very well have continued — and deepened — had she not taken three more steps recommended by the Federal Trade Commission:

First, contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus. Tell them that you are a victim of identity theft. Request that a "fraud alert" be placed in your file, as well as a victim's statement asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts. This can help prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts in your name.

At the same time, order copies of your credit reports from the credit bureaus. Credit bureaus must give you a free copy of your report if your report is inaccurate because of fraud, and you make that request in writing. Review your reports carefully to make sure no additional fraudulent accounts have been opened in your name or unauthorized changes made to your existing accounts.

Second, contact the creditors for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Creditors can include credit card companies, phone companies and other utilities, and banks and other lenders.

Third, if possible, file a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. Get a copy of the police report in case the bank, credit card company or others need proof of the crime. Even if the police are unable to catch the thief, the report can be helpful when dealing with creditors.

In summation, identity theft is a problem that is causing businesses and consumers billions of dollars per year. As a result, higher interest rates and an increase in the cost of goods and services is passed on to consumers. So, do not be a victim — protect yourself from identity theft by remaining alert especially when a third party is handling your personal information.

Matthew Keegan is the owner of a successful web design and marketing company based in North Carolina, USA. He manages several sites including the Corporate Flight Attendant Community at http://www.corporateflyer.net and the Aviation Employment Board at http://www.aviationemploymentboard.net This article originally appeared in the Summer 2002 issue of the Flight Attendant News.

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Credit Card Rights - What Rights Do You Have?
By Joseph Kenny

So you've thought about getting a credit card, but all you've heard about from parents, friends, co-workers, and the like is that they are just trouble. Horror stories of over limit charges, finance charges, late fees, mysterious charges, telemarketers, and missing bills dance through your head like sugar plumb fairies in children on Christmas Eve. It’s important to know, going into your first, or even your fifth credit card experience, that as a credit card holder, you have certain rights that go along with your responsibilities.

Here’s a rundown of some your credit card rights:

Prompt Credit for Payment:

Your creditor is required to post payment received within twenty four hours of receiving it. In order to insure that this system goes smoothly from your end, make sure that you make yourself familiar with the payment procedures for your card.

Refunds of Credit Balances:

If you overpay your credit card bill, that is the total amount, not a specific monthly bill, you have a right to receive a credit on your account. You can also request that the credit card issuer send you a refund of the over-paid balance. This only applies if you have completely paid off the total amount, and have issued additional payment. It does not apply to an overpayment of a monthly minimum. If you overpay your balance, your creditor will automatically credit your account the additional funds, which you will not be required to re-pay, as it is your money. However, if you submit written request for a refund of the balance, they must issue you a refund within seven days of receipt of your request.

Resolution of Errors:

If you feel as though there is an error on your billing statement, you must submit a written complaint within sixty days of the error's occurrence. An investigation must follow within two billing cycles, and no later than ninety days of receiving the complaint. This is federal law, and for more information you can contact the Federal Trade Commission.

Removal of Unauthorized Charges:

If your card is lost or stolen, report it immediately. Following a lost or stolen report, the cardholder is not liable for any charges. If you find fraudulent charges on your account, you can be held accountable for up to fifty dollars per card. However, fifty dollars is the most you will owe for unauthorized charges, even if the thief uses your card to access an ATM machine. The best way to avoid any payments on your behalf for stolen goods is to report a missing or stolen card as soon as you discover it missing. This way, the company will cancel the card and you will not be held responsible for any charges.

It is best, going into any new experience, to understand your rights and responsibilities. Request a written copy of these rights from your credit card company, and feel free to call them with any questions or concerns. Make sure that you arm yourself with information, and you will never be caught unawares.

Joseph Kenny writes for the Personal Loans Store and offer more information on secured loans and other loan topics available on site.

Visit Today: http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk

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The Main Reasons Credit Cards Expire and Top Tips for Easily And Quickly Renewing Them
By Tim Gorman

Aside from the long string of numbers that serves to identify your account, a short series of numbers makes up the expiration date of your credit card. Many people are unaware of the expiration date of their credit card but the credit card approval network knows exactly when credit cards expire.

There are several reasons that credit cards have expiration dates and some of those reasons are mentioned below:

*Credit cards expire because the magnetic strip attached on the back of each credit card will eventually wear out. Once your credit card's magnetic strip wears out, credit card terminals and ATMs will not be able to read your card and process your transactions.

*Credit cards have expiration dates so credit card companies can get in touch with their customers in a timely manner. This time can be used by the company to inquire about any issues or complaints that the customer has. If your credit card were about to expire, you would receive a reminder from your credit card company with an option to renew with them.

*Credit cards expire for the security of cardholders. An expiration date allows the credit card companies to make sure that you are who say you are and that there have been no fraudulent activities associated with your credit card. With identity theft on the rise, this is not a bad thing. There have been instances when credit cards have been opened in someone's name without him or her knowing and charges made on the card. If your credit card expires, your credit card company will get in touch with you and alert you about current fraud trends.

*Credit card companies may also use the time before the expiration dates of credit cards to remind clients of their existence. This is especially for people who don't make use of their cards very often.

If your credit card is about to expire, renewing it isn't hard at all. You would most likely get a new one in the mail about a month prior to your current credit card's expiration date. If you are a frequent traveler, make sure you check your credit card's expiration date. It might expire while you are away. If your credit card expires while you are traveling, you won't be able to use it in your transactions or emergencies. So before you go off anywhere, call your credit card company and request they send you a new card before you leave.

As soon as you get your new credit card, read the literature that comes with it. You don't want to miss any new features such as new and improved terms of use. However, if you discover that there have been changes to your terms and they are not good, get into touch with your credit card company right away. Refrain from using your new credit card until your request for changing the term is approved. If the credit card company denies your request, you can simply cancel the card. You'll easily find a credit card company with better terms.

For more important and helpful information on credit cards to include bad credit - credit cards, cash back and reward credit cards and instant approval credit cards visit BestOnlineCreditCards.com

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Low Cost Credit Card Processing
By Thomas Morva

Low cost and efficient credit card processing is very important to the success of any online or offline business. Low cost credit card processing involves a cheaper means to accept credit card numbers, apply them to the merchant's account, and obtain payment from the creditor for the amount. A business?s success or failure depends on whether or not it accepts credit card orders.

Low cost credit card processing is indispensable to raise the profitability of your business. Many people waste considerable amounts of money on extravagant processing. Often, processing statements are so difficult to read that it is virtually impossible to estimate how much money you are actually paying. Low cost credit card processing helps you run a more successful business operation.

In the United States, the cost of credit card processing is about $10 to $20 (per month) in flat fees, plus a small percentage of your sales, known as a discount rate. The discount rate is as low as 1.69% for an offline business, while discount rate for mail order and online merchants is about 2.19%. Using a low cost credit card processing technique, the transaction fee averages only about 25 cents for all merchants.

Low cost credit card processing falls into three types. The first is using a virtual terminal that allows manual addition of mail. The second employs a simple integration technique that connects your website directly to the credit card and bank system. The third type uses an advanced mechanism for custom-linking your system to other more composite systems using a transaction gateway server.

Lots of card processing companies offer you reliable, low cost and comprehensive credit card processing. A reliable low cost credit card processing service uses modern encryption technology to ensure security.

Credit Card Processing provides detailed information on Credit Card Processing, Online Credit Card Processing, Credit Card Processing Software, Wireless Credit Card Processing and more. Credit Card Processing is affiliated with Wireless Credit Card Terminals.

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