Credit card anyone?

 

The emergence of electronic age made almost everything possible to people. Determining and curing terminal diseases made convenient, reaching uncharted territories became a possibility, and most of all; everyday life of people is made easy by the technology. We now have more convenient stores, easier means of transportation and a variety of gadgets that makes work and pleasure almost effortless.

 

When it comes to finances, technology—through efficient banking system and services—has given people better alternatives and options how to manage their finances. Among the so many financial management schemes that emerged, one alternative stands out among the rest—the credit card.

 

Credit card, especially to working people and those who live very busy lives, has become an ultimate financial "savior." More than just being a status symbol or an add-on to expensive purses and wallets, credit card has revolutionized the way people spend their money.

 

But, more than the glamour and the convenience credit card brings, there is much more to this card than most people could ever imagine.

 

Credit Card 101
Before indulging much into the never-ending list of the advantages and disadvantages of having a credit card, it is very important for people to first have a brief realization of what credit card really is in order for them to maximize its potentials.

 

In layman's terms, credit card is a card that allows a person to make purchases up to the limit set by the card issuer. One must then pay off the balance in installments with interest payments. Usually, credit card payment per month ranges from the minimum amount set by the bank to entire outstanding balance. And since it is a form of business, the longer the credit card holder wait to pay off his or her entire amount, the more interest pile up.

 

Since having a credit card is a responsibility, only those people who are of legal age and have the capability to pay off the amount they are going to spend through their credit card, is allowed to have one. Actually, most of the adults in the U.S. use credit card because this is very convenient compared to carrying cash or checks every time they have to purchase something.

 

It is also equally important to be familiar with the different types of credit cards before you begin to build up credit card balances and to avoid having a nightmare of debt. Since credit cards are indispensable to most consumers, it is a must that they understand the types of card that include charge cards, bankcards, retail cards, gold cards and secured cards. All of these types come in one of two interest rate options—the fixed and variable. Actually, it doesn't really matter if you decide to have a fixed-rate credit card because the interest rate remains the same. Compared to variable rate cards where rate may be subject to change depends upon the credit card issuer's discretion, fixed-rate carry higher interest rates. Basically, credit card grantors issue three types of accounts with basic account agreements like the "revolving agreement" a.k.a. Typical Credit Card Account which allows the payer to pay in full monthly or prefer to have partial payments based on outstanding balance. While the Charge Agreement requires the payer to pay the full balance monthly so they won't have to pay the interest charges, the Installment Agreement, on the other hand, asks the payer to sign a contract to repay a fixed amount of credit in equal payments in definite period of time. Another category of credit card accounts includes the individual and joint accounts where the former asks the individual alone to repay the debt while the latter requires the partners responsible to pay. The common types of credit cards available through banks and other financial institutions also include Standard Credit Cards like Balance Transfer Credit Cards and Low Interest Credit Cards; Credit Cards with Rewards Programs like Airline Miles Credit Cards, Cash Back Credit Cards and Rewards Credit Cards; Credit Cards for Bad Credit like Secured Credit Cards and Prepaid Debit Cards; and Specialty Credit Cards like Business Credit Cards and Student Credit Cards.

 

Now that you have an idea how many types of credit card there is, it is now time to review your goals before applying for one. Some of the things you should consider is how will you spend with the credit card monthly, if you plan to carry a balance at the end of the month, how much are you willing to pay in annual fees, if you have a strong credit history and is does your credit in need of rehabilitation. Once you have an idea of what you are looking for choose the right credit card for you by researching the information you need that will fit your basic needs. You may also review the credit cards you've research and compare them.

 

Shopping for a credit card?
Regardless of the type of credit card you choose, be sure to discuss your specific financial needs with your financial advisor or accountant before applying for any credit card. It is a must that you understand the benefits of having a credit card like safety, valuable consumer protections under the law, and the accessibility and availability of services. The most popular credit cards include Chase Manhattan Bank, Citibank, Bank of America, BankOne, American Express, Discoverฎ Card, First Premier Bank, Advanta, HSBC Bank, and MasterCard Credit Cards.

 

Although having a credit card is synonymous to invincibility, this may also trigger a person's thirst for material things and may lead into the temptation of buying something they don't really need. A credit card bearer should always have in min that having a credit card is a big responsibility. If they don't use it carefully, these may owe more than they can repay. It can also damage their credit report, and create credit problems that are quite difficult to repair.

 

Legally Walk Away From 100% Of Your Credit Card Debt - The Hows And Whys

Author: R.J. Kaminsky

The United States Supreme Court has ruled time and again that banking institutions do not have the authority to lend you credit. Numerous Consumer Protection laws, such as Truth in Lending, Fair Debt Collections, and Fair Credit Reporting, and Commercial and Contract Law define the way banks and lending institutions can legally function.

Federal and state banking laws allow banks to lend money - not credit. They aren't allowed by law to create credit or money out of thin air. They can't lend you something they don't have, and they can't charge you interest on something that doesn't exist!

A true Debt Relief process is founded on numerous Consumer Protection laws, as well as common law rulings of the courts, including the United States Supreme Court. They have ruled time and again that banks do not have the authority to lend you their credit. Federal and state laws allow banks to lend money - not credit. They can't lend you something they don't have, and they can't charge you interest on something that doesn't exist! Are YOU legally allowed to create money out of thin air? NO! Neither can the banks, but they do. . .

Here's how the process works:

You will send a series of letters to the credit card company, banking institution, and/or collections agencies. You will ask them to provide proof in many areas, and tell them your intentions if they cannot provide proof, such as:
1. Do they have the authority to lend you their credit?
2. Do they have the authority to create money or credit?
3. If they don't have the authority, they concealed this fact. This is fraud.
4. You believe you have been tricked into participating in their fraud.
5. You do not wish to be party to their fraud and must stop immediately.
6. Since they didn't disclose to you the fraud, and since they knew about it when you signed the credit application, the contract is illegal.
7. A contract that is illegal at the time of signing is null and void.
8. You inform them that no amount can be owed on a void contract.
9. You request a $0.00 (zero) balance on the account.
10. You will revoke your signature on all documents they may have.
11. Numerous State, Federal, and Supreme Court decisions on the matter are included.
12. Any evidence of a lawful debt or legal agreement must be presented to you in a timely manner, or they will be in default.

They commonly send you a response, stating you signed a contract and you must pay it, or offering you payment counseling, or even reducing the amount you owe and telling you to pay the discounted amount. They often claim to have the proper authority, but they never provide any proof of any authority. If they have the authority to lend their credit, WHY CAN'T THEY PROVE IT?

After a series of letters, you may receive a monthly statement with a $0.00 (zero) balance. They may cancel the debt, and write it off. Often, any unpaid "balance" on the fraudulent account simply disappears. The debt may be charged-off, or sold to a collector. When you receive a letter from the debt collection company, you will then request a validation of the debt, asking them to prove you owe them any money and showing the collector why no claim against you can be maintained. A true Debt Relief Course will also teach you how to stop all of the harassing phone calls and nasty collection notices.

The process can help you avoid the invasive nature of bankruptcy and be selective over which accounts you want to dispute. You can save thousands of dollars, which may not be possible with a debt consolidation program or credit counseling.

If you entered into a loan or credit contract, you may have signed a note or contract promising to pay them back. This contract supposedly qualified you to receive the money or credit. But did they provide 'full disclosure' of all of the terms of this agreement? Answer the following questions and decide for yourself if the bank or credit card company was acting in 'good faith,' that you received 'valuable consideration,' and that your 'signature' on that agreement is valid. Were you told that the Federal Reserve Policies and Procedures and the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) requirements imposed upon all Federally-insured (FDIC) banks prohibit them from lending their own money from their own assets, or from other depositors? Did anyone tell you where the money was coming from?

Were you told that the contract you signed (your promissory note) was going to be converted into a 'negotiable instrument' by the bank or credit card company and become an asset on their accounting books? Did they tell you that your signature on that note made it 'money,' according to the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), sections 1-201(24) and 3-104? Were you told that your promissory note (money) would be taken, recorded as an asset, and be sold for cash - without 'valuable consideration' given to obtain your note? Did they give you a deposit slip as a receipt for the money you gave them, just as a bank would normally provide when you make a deposit to the bank?

"A national bank. . . cannot lend its credit to another by becoming surety, endorser, or guarantor for him, such an act being ultra vires. . ." Merchants' Bank v. Baird 160 F. 642 There are many more cases to prove that banks are participating in deceptive banking practices, which is why we request a "zero balance due" statement. Many banking and credit institutions discharge or cancel the debt balance because Fraud is a criminal offense.

What is Credit?

Credit is the opposite of money. Money, which is legal tender for the payment of debts, is defined by Congress in 31 USCA Sec 392. This section basically describes all coins and currency issued by the United States Government as legal tender for all debts, public and private. For purposes of this article, we will call money either coins or currency. Also, no effort will be made to argue that Federal Reserve notes are unconstitutional; that is beyond the scope of this article.

Now, if you went to a motorcycle dealer to buy a new Harley Davidson with no money down, you would say that "your credit is good." What exactly does that mean? It means that your promise to pay money is good. In other words, they trust you. You sign a loan agreement to pay the motorcycle dealer a certain sum of money with interest, and you also sign a security agreement in which you pledge the motorcycle as collateral for the security agreement. So, the motorcycle dealer has accepted your credit, or promise pay a sum of money, in exchange for the motorcycle. Consider how different a bank loan is. When you apply for a bank loan, you sign a loan agreement pledging to pay the bank so many dollars, with interest. When the bank accepts your promise to pay in exchange for a loan, it means your credit is good. However, the next question is the most interesting. What does the bank lend you?

The bank will invariably give you a check, which is a promise to pay you so many dollars. In effect, what you and the bank have done is exchange a promise to pay. In other words, you have accepted each others credit, yet no money has exchanged hands!

Now what do you do with the check? Probably one of two things: either you deposit it into your checking account, or you take it to a merchant for instance, a car dealer. In either case, the check, when deposited goes directly to the bookkeeping department where the numbers are transferred from the check and are added to your account as a bookkeeping entry. Once this entry is made a bank will say that its deposits have increased.

How can a transfer of numbers increase the deposits? IT CANNOT! This fictional increase is all on the books as there is no increase in the actual amount of money in the bank's vault. All of these bookkeeping entry deposits are called "demand deposits," which means that the customer can literally walk into the bank and demand the deposit. These figures are placed into the bank's liabilities column as money, which the bank owes people.

So, what are the bank's assets? Interestingly, I've just covered part of that. One type of asset is the "deposit" which actually consists of the check you just transferred to your account. It was a loan, an IOU from the bank. Banks will count the small amount of vault cash on hand as a type of asset, also. But most of the bank's "assets" are all the promises to pay. In other words, its loans.

Thus, both the bank's assets and its liabilities are virtually all on paper. And, this being the case, the expression from the book Modern Money Mechanics, published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, that "deposits are merely book entries" is now easier to understand. Now, it's also easier to understand what the electronic transfer of money is all about. All this amounts to is a transfer of numbers, or book entries, from one bank account to another. The same thing happens when you write a check. Numbers called dollars are transferred as a bookkeeping entry from your checking account to someone else's. When a credit card is used, bank credit or book entries are created and transferred to another person simultaneously!

Hence, our money system can be described as a "debt usury" money system. For every dollar of credit that comes into existence, a debt is created to the banks and interest (usury) is charged. Under our present money system, the Federal Government will never be able to balance its budget, and the national debt will continue to grow by leaps and bounds. However, every bank loan made in the United States today is also completely illegal, as all bank loans are based on credit instead of money.

"Ultra Vires"

The words "ultra vires" are important words. They mean that "a contract made by a corporation beyond the scope of its corporate powers is unlawful." (See Black's Law Dictionary) The courts have consistently ruled that banks cannot lend their credit, but can only lend their money, and that all loans of credit are ultra vires.

Because no bank or credit card company charter gives them (all of which are corporations) permission to lend its credit, and Congress never gave them permission to create money, all such loans of credit are ultra wires, or unlawful. By lending credit they have unjustly enriched themselves. They pay no interest for the use of the credit, but charge their customers the same amount of interest as if they had lent out their own money. It is a racket and con game, to say the least. It is deception and fraud. The collection of interest on credit is in violation of all usury laws. After all, they are collecting interest on money which doesn't exist. It is little wonder that as more Americans are beginning to understand this issue they are suing banks on fraud and usury charges.

Now that you have been informed concerning what the United States Supreme Court has stated and the Fraud the banks are committing, you have a decision to make. Do you want to keep supporting FRAUD? If the answer is "NO" than I can help you find a Debt Relief Course that you can be use to eliminate any kind of unsecured debt where credit was extended such as credit cards, personal loans, and certain student loans.

I have found one company that can take you through this process with integrity. Let me know if you want to know more about them.

I can always be reached at 707-395-0585

or through my website at www.Financial-Freedom-Guide.com

Best Wishes

R.J.

I've been online developing my marketing skills for 10 years now. What a rollercoaster ride. I've marketed everything from vitamins to houses and all kinds of education which is where I find myself today. My successes have had me making $1500 sales in a day to learning great lead generating strategies that have allowed me to continue growing. Presently I own my own business known as Taskmasters "Wealth Education and Investment Strategies". I show you how to keep more of your hard earned money, protect your assets and how to have your money working hard for you rather than working hard for the rest of your life. See http://www.financial-freedom-guide.com

Ready for Your Very Own College Student Credit Card?

 

 

Author: Mario A. Churchill 

College student credit cards are a new marketing phenomenon. Two decades ago, college students never had the opportunity to take their pick of the credit cards currently available today. But with the changing needs of students all across America, it was only a matter of time before college student credit cards became a common medium of exchange.

What makes college student credit cards different?

Their function is exactly the same as that of regular credit cards, except that many credit card companies recognize the special needs of college students and offer certain perks that you normally won't find anywhere else. A student credit card, for example, can offer you a discount for the purchase of school supplies or other school-related materials. It can also come at a much lower interest rate.

Where can I find them?

Everywhere, actually. Your school campus, for one. Each September you'll probably find credit card representatives setting up tables and kiosks on your campus grounds to offer their college student credit cards services. A pretty convenient opportunity if you decide to get your credit card this way. You can also take advantage of the free stuff these companies usually give away with each application.

On the downside, you could be limiting your options to what these credit card companies have to offer. More often than not, many of the college student credit cards that are marketed on campuses don't always have the best rates. They may, in fact, be quite high.

To find the best rates, you might want to call up several credit card companies to see what their interest rates are or go online and shop around. You shouldn't be pressured to get a college student card offered on campus if you could get one with a better APR online.

What good would a college student credit card do for me? A lot, actually. It is a good and safe substitute for cash and is a convenient way to pay for anything you wish to buy. It can tide you over in case of emergencies when money is tight and you can access many services online and off with a simple swipe.

A college student credit card can also give you your first taste of financial independence and responsibility. After all, you will be the one who'll be shelling out the cash to pay for your credit card bill each month. It can give you your first-hand experience in managing your money and teach you some valuable lessons in the process.

Is plastic always fantastic?

You may have heard of the horror stories, but much of the rap that college student credit cards receive is mostly undeserved. College student credit cards aren't innately evil; it's the way they are used that leads a student to a lot of financial trouble.

Many college students fall hard and heavy for the spending power that credit cards give. They go right ahead and charge a lot of stuff they don't really need and can't afford to pay for at the end of the month.

There are serious ramifications for this kind of irresponsibility. If a student allows his bad spending habits to continue, he could rack up a huge credit card bill that he is ill equipped to pay for. It's not uncommon to find a student struggling with a huge credit card debt even before he graduates from college.

On the brighter side…

It's not always a sad relationship. Just like any financial tool, a college student credit card can help you build and establish a good credit history, provided you use it responsibly. Remember that convenience comes with a price. If you have the discipline and can stick to a budget, a college student credit card may just work in your favor.

Mario Churchill is the owner of a credit card website with links where you can apply for a credit card which best suits your needs.

Your Small Business is Big Enough to Accept Credit Cards

Your Small Business is Big Enough to Accept Credit Cards
Author: Jamie Osterman

Small online businesses can get the benefit of credit card processing.

The Internet has become a great place for those people who have always
nurtured the dream of owning their own business. Instead of having to rent
our buy space all one has to do is secure a domain name and sign on with a
hosting service. And with drop shipping, e-store owners don't even have to
maintain inventory.

Indeed, the low overhead that comes with having one's business online also
makes it easier to turn a profit. And that has made the virtual world even
more enticing for the entrepreneur as the financial risks and rewards are
much more easy to juggle.

However, no successful business can become static or things start to erode.
That is why most online business people keep an eye out for anything that
will help their business grow. Perhaps a fancier site design or maybe
switching some items being sold to see if that kicks some fresh energy into
the mix.

One avenue they might pursue is the idea of credit card online processing
services. Some might just like the idea while others have heard about all
the good things that merchant services could bring. Several studies have
shown that an Internet business with merchant services will see increases in
traffic, repeat business, sales and profits. All great things to help anyone's
business grow to the next level and beyond.

However, here is where many online shopkeepers scuttle their own efforts.
They let their assumptions carry more weight than any facts they may come
across as they research the ability to accept payments online.

They assume credit card processing is for bigger businesses.

They assume credit card processing costs will outweigh any financial
benefit.

They assume that there isn't a plan that is structured for a business like
theirs.

And they get wrapped in up in their assumptions that they start to treat
them as facts and they forget about merchant services as a way to build
their bottom line. And that's too bad because assumptions are hardly ever
factual if any research has been added to the mix.

This is why it is so vital, no matter what size business you have that you
are willing to drill down and get some facts before you make any decision
that will affect your business.

It is true that there will be several merchant services providers that might
think you are too small for credit card services – and most banks fall into
this category – but keep in mind that any company that says you aren't big
enough usually means you aren't big enough for them to offer services to and
make a profit.

And that means you have to stay active and keep looking because there are a
lot of great merchant account companies out there who can let you accept
credit cards at a price you can live with. But it's up to you as the
business owner not to be easily dissuaded, because that can mean your
business might not reach the profitability that it potentially could
realize.

So the key things to remember are don't confuse your assumptions with facts,
and that credit card online processing services can help your small business
become a big business.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jim Osterman is a Web content developer with CardAccept.com, a leading
credit card processing company that helps businesses grow by setting them up
to accept payments online.

Even Small Online Business Needs Credit Card Processing

Even Small Online Business Needs Credit Card Processing
Author: Jamie Osterman

Credit card processing is something even small online businesses should take
advantage of.

The other day I saw something that I haven't seen in quite a while, and I'm
not talking about black and television. I found a new online shopping site
and their checkout page had directions on how to send in a check for
payment.

I had two immediate thoughts. First, this might be an old version of the
site because in my experience no one does paper checks online any more. Two,
if it was current I didn't trust it. With merchant services so easy to
establish why would anyone not accept payments online?

There may have been a time in the online shopping arena when only
established larger businesses had credit card processing, but that time has
come and gone. Consider the following examples:

a.. A buddy of mine buys and sells baseball cards, working from his extra
bedroom, and he is set up to accept credit cards
b.. My uncle makes holiday ornaments from discarded aluminum cans and he
accepts payments online
c.. The guy next door sells genuine BMW accessories online, working out of
his garage, and he has credit card processing
The lesson here is that small online businesses – even very small online
businesses – can benefit from having credit card services.

First, it makes their business operate more efficiently. Instead of dealing
with the hassle of processing checks, all transactions are done in real time
and organized for easy reconciliation.

Second, it gives people a greater sense of confidence when they deal with an
online merchant. There are enough people that have been burned by sending a
check to a bogus online business – including me – that seeing credit card
services offers a greater sense of confidence when placing an order.

And third, with merchant account services so easy to establish and so
available to e-store owners there just seems that something is not quite
right about anyone who would make the decision not to accept payments
online. At worst they might be crooks – at best they aren't very savvy about
running an online business.

But if you are a small online business wanting to add credit card services
you may be wondering how to best go about making your choice. You may have
even entered "merchant services" into your search engine and found that
there are hundreds upon hundreds of providers. And maybe you're feeling that
you're in over your head.

One way to ratchet down the anxiety is by speaking with other small e-store
operators that have made the leap into credit card processing online. They
can help you navigate the processing of making a decision. Indeed, thy can
show you where they may have stumbled during the process to make sure you
avoid the potholes that can trap rookies.

If you don't have this resource, contact four to six credit card services
providers and talk to them about what you need. See what solutions they
offer and make side-by-side comparisons to see which one seems to be
offering the best fit for your business.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jim Osterman is a Web content developer with Charge.com, a leading merchant
services company that offers innovative credit card processing solutions.

Shopping Online Begs for Credit Card Processing

Shopping Online Begs for Credit Card Processing
Author: Jamie Osterman

The best way to shop if you are doig it online is with your credit card.

In many ways the world of online shopping is not that different from
shopping at the mall or your local strip shopping center. Most of the time
when we leave home to shop we know what we want, we have a pretty idea of
what we're prepared to spend for it and we also know where we'll likely find
what we're looking for.

Where the paths diverge wildly is in the payment process. Let's look at
getting something at the mall. Paying at the real world is easy.

There's always cash, assuming you have enough in your wallet at any given
moment. If cash is not a viable option, you can always pull out your
checkbook and pay that way. And if you didn't bring your checkbook, or are
out of checks, there is always the trusty credit card nestled in your
wallet.

In the online world things are not so varied.

First, you can be Donald Trump of Oprah Winfrey and you still aren't going
to be able to pay for your online purchase using cold, hard cash. It
physically just can't be done and I'll bet that laptops don't make change.

You can pay for your online purchase with a check. Indeed, back in the salad
days of online retailing it was not at all uncommon to fill out your order
form on the computer, print it, attach your check and mail it. That was what
passed for shopping via the Internet back in the day.

And you can still do that, but it slows the transaction down to a crawl
while the merchant waits for the check to arrive, verifies the funds and
then ships the merchandise. Unless….you….like….really….slow….service, well,
this is not really a workable option either.

This leaves us with paying by credit card. The entire credit card
transaction – from the time you enter your information to the time you are
verified as good to go – takes about 15 seconds. And once that approval is
bestowed your order is placed with most vendors shipping the item within 24
hours.

This as compared with paying by check where your first 24 hours, at least,
are spent with your funds still in the mail system.

Given all this is it any surprise that more than 80 percent of all online
purchases are made using a credit card? With that number expected to grow
every year for the foreseeable future?

Just as we have gotten spoiled by certain stores always having what we want
in stock, credit card online processing has spoiled us for any other method.
Indeed, there is not a faster way to transact purchases over the Internet
than by credit card.

So if you are one of those 'net businesses that have not embraced credit
card merchant services, now might be an ideal time to rethink that posture.
You have nothing to lose, but much to gain as more online shoppers will be
showing up on your site, credit card cocked and ready for action.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jim Osterman is a Web content developer with CardAccept.com, a leading
Internet merchant account provider that offers state-of-the-art credit card
processing.

Online Credit Card Processing Expected by Internet Shoppers

Online Credit Card Processing Expected by Internet Shoppers
Author: Jamie Osterman

Today people shopping online want to find merchant services.

Retailing experts will tell you that changing a consumer habit can be hard.
Even in the online shopping world we tend to find what works for us and
stick with it. We are not resistant to change, but often we are slow to
embrace it. But once that change is embraced it becomes rock solid.

In the early days of the Internet shopping by computer resembled shopping
from a catalogue. You picked out what you wanted, printed out your order
form and mailed it in with a check. Or there was a toll-free number you
could use to call in and order using your credit card. The virtual shopping
cart did not exist as we know it today.

And it took some time for this to catch on, in part because this happened
during a time when we still accessed the Internet through a phone modem,
which had to be purchased separately from our computers. As a group we
barely understood the 'net much less how to use it to shop.

Fast forward to today and things are as different as night and day. Most
people have access to some form of high-speed connection and there is hardly
a household in America that does not have access to the online community.
And we have formed solid new Internet shopping attitudes and habits.

First, we know that we can find just about anything we're looking for,
usually at a decent price. Second, we have dozens of choices. And last but
not least -- to turn a phrase – we now expect every site we are going to do
business with to have credit card processing when we pay. And that last
point is set in stone.

Due to that shift in online consumer shopping habits it is either folly or
fatal for anyone to have a business on the 'net that does not have merchant
account services. More than 80 percent of everything bought in this country
over the computer is paid for with a credit card and that number is rising
steadily.

Because of this – and the number of sites available – when people don't find
what they are looking for on a certain site they click away. And they don't
come back. Any business consultant will tell you that losing a customer in
this fashion has to be avoided at all costs because trying to recover
someone who has left because of disappointment is nearly impossible.
However, there is a simple solution to this and that is adopting the mind
set that you as the e-business owner will be doing everything you can to
make as many of the people happy as often as you reasonably can.

That means there is a lot of money to be made by 'net businesses that are
savvy enough to have online credit card processing. But for those businesses
that have not added the merchant account option there is still time to jump
on the bandwagon. Thanks to competition it has never been easier to apply
for accredit card services, and several e-businesses are running their first
credit card transactions within 24 hours of being approved.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jim Osterman is a Web content developer with CardAccept.com, a leading
merchant account provider offering innovative credit card processing
solutions.

How to Avoid Credit Card Fraud

How to Avoid Credit Card Fraud
Author: Richard Greenwood

Credit card security has always been a concern, especially since the rise of
online shopping over the past decade. Find out the measures in place that
the best online stores use to keep your details safe and how to avoid
letting your details fall into the wrong hands.

Credit card fraud in the US is a rising problem. Up to 10% of Americans have
been the victim of card fraud according to finance website bankrate.com.
It's easy to assume from the stories you see in the media that most of this
fraud is the result of highly organised gangs using sophisticated techniques
but the reality is the risks may be closer to home. Most card fraud cases
are one off and may be conducted by someone you know such as family or
friends. It's crucial that you take some basic steps to keep your details in
the right hands.

The biggest step you can take toward your own credit security is to pay
attention. Do you know when your monthly statements arrive? If not, find
out. One very common trick is for a thief to change the statement address to
something other than your home, and then start charging. You don't know
anything's amiss because you're not getting the statement. And if you don't
even know when it's supposed to arrive, you're just setting yourself up for
trouble. Read your statement when it comes and immediately report anything
suspicious to your bank or lender.

Online security is important, too. Never access even a trusted website from
a link in an unsolicited e-mail. These can be "mirror" sites set up to look
identical to a trusted merchant's, but in reality nothing more than
data-mining sites that will take your credit card information and run with
it. Go to a website through a Favorite or by typing the website manually
into the address bar in your browser.

A secure website will often begin with "https" rather than the standard
"http". You'll often see a small icon that looks like a padlock down near
the bottom of your browser windowthough even those can be faked these days.
Once you have finished shopping online you should close the internet browser
down fully. And consider cleaning out your browsing history on a regular
basis. In Windows, this can be done via Tools, then Internet Options. In the
General tab, click Delete in the Browsing History section to eliminate the
addresses of recently-visited websites.

Never, ever respond to an unsolicited e-mail or telephone call requesting
your personal information. Banks and other merchants never request this
informationremember, they should already have it on hand.

Protect your Personally Identifiable Information, or PII. NEVER give out
your Social Security Number to an unsolicited phone call! If someone is
asking for personal information and you didn't call them you should hang up
immediately.

If you should become a victim of credit card fraud, immediately contact your
card issuer. Their number should be on your statement (which you've been
checking every month of course?), but it's a good idea to keep it in your
address book, Day Planner, or PDA, as well. Your card issue needs to cancel
your account with immediate effect and then set you up with a new account
with the correct balance. You will likely have some forms to fill out. Make
sure you take the time to complete and return the forms as the information
you provide can be a huge help in helping the police and fraud investigation
team from your card issuer to track down the thief and secure a prosecution.

Keep your card in a safe location (your wallet is generally a bad idea),
never give out your PIN number or write it on the card, and check your
statements every months. With a few simple precautions you can greatly
reduce your risk of becoming a victim of credit card fraud.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Article by Click4Credit director Richard Greenwood. Click4credit.com.au
allows consumers to compare credit cards and visa debit cards from a range
of issuers. The site is part of the Click 4 Group - a network of finance
comparison sites allowing banking products to be compared side by side.

The Cost Of Acclaim Cards

Although some accept to blitz into accepting a acclaim card, they commonly do so after getting acquainted of the costs. A lot of acclaim cards out there appear with hidden costs and charges, and you should consistently be acquainted of this afore you apply. In a lot of cases, these fees and accuse won’t get noticed by the user until it is too late.

Credit agenda holders who aren’t acquainted of any hidden costs could calmly end up paying possibly bags of dollars at the end of the year - and not even apprehend it. If you accept a accolade acclaim card, your rewards could calmly be destroyed by these hidden costs. Although some acclaim agenda users may apprehend it, there are abounding out there who aren’t acquainted of these costs at all.

The aboriginal agency for hidden costs is begin in the adroitness period. The adroitness aeon is the added time you accept to pay your bill after accepting added fees added to your bill. Even admitting this can be abundant for paying your bill, it can bound advance to a pitfall if you let it. To abstain any blazon of costs or hidden fees, you should pay your bill as anon as it arrives. This way, you won’t accept to anguish about your adroitness aeon or the absorption that can accumulate from absolution your bill get after and later.

The backward fee is addition agency with acclaim cards that is generally disregarded by acclaim agenda users. Backward fees are accepted with acclaim cards, although their abeyant for costs is generally overlooked. Some humans accept to pay it and be done with it, blind of the actuality that these costs can absolutely add up in no time at all. To be on the safe side, you should consistently apperceive what the backward accuse are and how fast they can add up.

The easiest way to abstain any blazon of hidden fees or costs is to pay your bill on time - as anon as you accept your bill. You should aswell pay added than the minimum, as this helps to pay your bill off faster and ensure that you pay the bill and not just the interest. Paying your bill backward is never a acceptable thing, as it can calmly abort your acclaim report. If you abide to accomplish backward payments, your aggregation or coffer can access your absorption rates.

No amount what you do, you should consistently pay your acclaim agenda bill on time. Hidden fees and costs are out there - it’s up to you to abstain them. Acclaim agenda companies and banks won’t acquaint you what the hidden fees are, unless you ask them. To assure yourself and your acclaim - you should consistently be acquainted of the costs - and how to anticipate them from accident to you.