Ten Ways To Spot And Stop Fraudulent Credit Card Orders
by Mike Fletcher
As the longtime owner of a couple of popular online stores, I've learned the hard way - through experience - that online criminals are constantly trying to take advantage of the ease in online shipping to commit fraud.
For consumers whose credit cards are used in online fraud, there's no loss. The bogus charges are almost always refunded. But for online retailers who get conned into processing the orders, there is no relief.
If it's fraud, you get a chargeback. You're out the order, the merchandise you shipped and the online fees charged by your credit card processor.
Those chargebacks are never pleasant. In the early days, I had my share. But after plenty of grumbling, I decided to consider them what financial expert and radio talk show host Dave Ramsey calls a "stupid tax."
Then, I set my mind to learn from them so I wouldn't keep paying the "stupid tax."
I started by making a list of every chargeback I was hit with over a 12-month period. I rigorously examined them, looking for patterns and similarities. As a result, I instituted some security procedures and checklists that have worked well in greatly reducing the fraud losses from my stores.
I still get stung, but very rarely these days.
The one single step that has most helped reduce fraudulent orders for me and my stores is to eliminate shipping to any location other than North America. I know, that's a drastic step. But while I no doubt do indeed do lose some legitimate business from overseas customers, it has been my experience that most fraud originates overseas.
And my experience is not unusual. Once recent study I have seen, from Cybersource, notes that fraud rates on overseas orders are four times the level of North American orders. Thus, not allowing orders from places other than the U.S. and Canada helps eliminate many of the problems.
Still, almost every day, some thief still tries to get through. Most of them are from criminals trying to see if a credit card number they have is still good. They'll place an order and provide a ship-to address in the U.S.
Below are my top 10 suggestions for catching the fraud before you complete the transaction. As many of these flags as you have on an order, the more apt it is bogus:
1) Shipping FedEx overnight is a frequent marker. The thief figures the merchant will move so fast to process the order that there won't be too much scrutiny. A dead give away and cause for you to seriously question the oder is when the overnight shipping costs approximate the item's cost.
2) Look at the phone number and e-mail address provided by the customer. Does the area code match the city and state of the customer? If the customer uses a free Yahoo!, Hotmail, or Google account, does it correspond to the customer's name? Thieves always use these free accounts. So, of course, do many genuine customers. But an e-mail to a domain not associated with free web-based accounts, with a username (the part before the "@" sign) that matches the customer, is usually good.
3) If your store has referrer info on orders, like Yahoo! Stores provides, for example, examine how the customer found you. My store's order info lists the search phrase they used, or the last page they came from. Thieves tend to search on phrases like "international shipping" or "overnight delivery" instead of the category or keywords products are advertised under.
4) Check the IP address. And IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical identifier that much like a house address. In this case, it identifies the computer network that the order came from. Your oder processing software should also show you the IP address that the order was sent from. Check it out. On my Yahoo! Stores, all I have to do is click the address and it does a trace, identifying the network location. If it's overseas, shipping to the U.S., I consider it fraud unless I can call the phone number and talk to a real customer.
5) Beware of mail forwarding operations and shipping to Post Office Boxes. Watch out for mail processing locations. Many thieves order your items from overseas and have them shipped to maildrops. Often, instead of a box number, these locations can be spotted by having a "suite" number under the address line. Miami and Houston have a bunch of maildrops serving South America. Seattle and Los Angeles have them for Asia. New Your City handles Africa and Eastern Europe. If suspicious, run the customer address through Google. Often you'll see it listed to a service for mail forwarding company.
6) Be suspicious if the shipping address and the billing address on the order are different. At the very least, whenever this happens, don't process the order unless you call the customer to confirm the order. Some stores even make it a policy to ship only to the billing address listed for the credit card. I get a lot of orders from parents buying my products for their kids who are away at college so that's not a policy we impose. But we always call when the addresses are different.
7) Always expect fraud when you get multiple orders submitted from the same customer in sequence, using the same credit card, or the same ship-to address.
8) Beware of unusually large orders. You know from your oder processing reports,what the average customer buys. You know what is a big order. Is it over $250? Over $500? Over $1,000? When the norms are exceeded you should carefully examine the order.
9) Be skeptical when you get orders with multiple quantities of the same product. It is common for fraudulent orders to be large quantities of a single item.
10) Look for typos, grammar and punctuation errors. Serious customers make mistakes in filling our your oder forms. But not nearly as often as thieves do.
If I had to boil everything down to a single piece of advice, it would be this: When in doubt, try to reach the customer. If the phone is disconnected, mark it as fraud. If there is no answer, leave a message on the answering machine. Then send an e-mail. If after 24 hours the e-mail and the call are not returned, do not process.
These are just some of the fraud indicators and precautions I've learned over the years. They are by no means exhaustive. But I have instructed all my employees to filter our orders through skeptical eyes. As a result, we've diminished our chargebacks to only two or three cases a year.
วันจันทร์ที่ 31 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Receiving Your First Credit Card
Receiving Your First Credit Card
by sas_upena1
Federal law prohibits issuers from sending you a card you didn't ask for. However, an issuer can send you a renewal or substitute card without your request. Issuers also may send you an application or a solicitation, or ask you by phone if you want a card - and, if you say yes, they may send you one.
Cardholder Protections
Federal law protects your use of credit cards.
Prompt Credit for Payment. An issuer must credit your account the day payment is received. The exceptions are if the payment is not made according to the creditor's requirements, or the delay in crediting your account won't result in a charge.
To help avoid finance charges, follow the issuer's mailing instructions. Payments sent to the wrong address could delay crediting your account for up to five days. If you misplace your payment envelope, look for the payment address on your billing statement or call the issuer.
Refunds of Credit Balances. When you make a return or pay more than the total balance at present, you can keep the credit on your account or write your issuer for a refund - if it's more than a dollar. A refund must be issued within seven business days of receiving your request. If a credit stays on your account for more than six months, the issuer must make a good faith effort to send you a refund.
Errors on Your Bill. Issuers must follow rules for promptly correcting billing errors. You'll get a statement outlining these rules when you open an account and at least once a year. In fact, many issuers include a summary of these rights on your bills.
If you find a mistake on your bill, you can dispute the charge and withhold payment on that amount while the charge is being investigated. The error might be a charge for the wrong amount, for something you didn't accept, or for an item that wasn't delivered as agreed. Of course, you still have to pay any part of the bill that's not in dispute, including finance and other charges.
If you decide to dispute a charge:
Write to the creditor at the address indicated on your statement for "billing inquiries." Include your name, address, account number, and a description of the error. Send your letter soon. It must reach the creditor within 60 days after the first bill containing the error was mailed to you.
The creditor must acknowledge your complaint in writing within 30 days of receipt, unless the problem has been resolved. At the latest, the dispute must be resolved within two billing cycles, but not more than 90 days.
Unauthorized Charges. If your card is used without your permission, you can be held responsible for up to $50 per card.
If you report the loss before the card is used, you can't be held responsible for any unauthorized charges. If a thief uses your card before you report it missing, the most you'll owe for unauthorized charges is $50.
To minimize your liability, report the loss as soon as possible. Some issuers have 24-hour toll-free telephone numbers to accept emergency information. It's a good idea to follow-up with a letter to the issuer - include your account number, the date you noticed your card missing, and the date you reported the loss.
Disputes about Merchandise or Services. You can dispute charges for unsatisfactory goods or services. To do so, you must:
- have made the purchase in your home state or within 100 miles of your current billing address. The charge must be for more than $50. (These limitations don't apply if the seller also is the card issuer or if a special business relationship exists between the seller and the card issuer.) and, - first make a good faith effort to resolve the dispute with the seller. No special procedures are required to do so.
If these conditions don't apply, you may want to consider filing an action in small claims court.
Shopping Tips
Keep these tips in mind when looking for a credit or charge card.
Shop around for the plan that best fits your needs.
Make sure you understand a plan's terms before you accept the card.
Hold on to receipts to reconcile charges when your bill arrives.
Protect your cards and account numbers to prevent unauthorized use. Draw a line through blank spaces on charge slips so the amount can't be changed. Tear up carbons.
Keep a record - in a safe place separate from your cards - of your account numbers, expiration dates and the phone numbers of each issuer to report a loss quickly.
Carry only the cards you think you'll use.
by sas_upena1
Federal law prohibits issuers from sending you a card you didn't ask for. However, an issuer can send you a renewal or substitute card without your request. Issuers also may send you an application or a solicitation, or ask you by phone if you want a card - and, if you say yes, they may send you one.
Cardholder Protections
Federal law protects your use of credit cards.
Prompt Credit for Payment. An issuer must credit your account the day payment is received. The exceptions are if the payment is not made according to the creditor's requirements, or the delay in crediting your account won't result in a charge.
To help avoid finance charges, follow the issuer's mailing instructions. Payments sent to the wrong address could delay crediting your account for up to five days. If you misplace your payment envelope, look for the payment address on your billing statement or call the issuer.
Refunds of Credit Balances. When you make a return or pay more than the total balance at present, you can keep the credit on your account or write your issuer for a refund - if it's more than a dollar. A refund must be issued within seven business days of receiving your request. If a credit stays on your account for more than six months, the issuer must make a good faith effort to send you a refund.
Errors on Your Bill. Issuers must follow rules for promptly correcting billing errors. You'll get a statement outlining these rules when you open an account and at least once a year. In fact, many issuers include a summary of these rights on your bills.
If you find a mistake on your bill, you can dispute the charge and withhold payment on that amount while the charge is being investigated. The error might be a charge for the wrong amount, for something you didn't accept, or for an item that wasn't delivered as agreed. Of course, you still have to pay any part of the bill that's not in dispute, including finance and other charges.
If you decide to dispute a charge:
Write to the creditor at the address indicated on your statement for "billing inquiries." Include your name, address, account number, and a description of the error. Send your letter soon. It must reach the creditor within 60 days after the first bill containing the error was mailed to you.
The creditor must acknowledge your complaint in writing within 30 days of receipt, unless the problem has been resolved. At the latest, the dispute must be resolved within two billing cycles, but not more than 90 days.
Unauthorized Charges. If your card is used without your permission, you can be held responsible for up to $50 per card.
If you report the loss before the card is used, you can't be held responsible for any unauthorized charges. If a thief uses your card before you report it missing, the most you'll owe for unauthorized charges is $50.
To minimize your liability, report the loss as soon as possible. Some issuers have 24-hour toll-free telephone numbers to accept emergency information. It's a good idea to follow-up with a letter to the issuer - include your account number, the date you noticed your card missing, and the date you reported the loss.
Disputes about Merchandise or Services. You can dispute charges for unsatisfactory goods or services. To do so, you must:
- have made the purchase in your home state or within 100 miles of your current billing address. The charge must be for more than $50. (These limitations don't apply if the seller also is the card issuer or if a special business relationship exists between the seller and the card issuer.) and, - first make a good faith effort to resolve the dispute with the seller. No special procedures are required to do so.
If these conditions don't apply, you may want to consider filing an action in small claims court.
Shopping Tips
Keep these tips in mind when looking for a credit or charge card.
Shop around for the plan that best fits your needs.
Make sure you understand a plan's terms before you accept the card.
Hold on to receipts to reconcile charges when your bill arrives.
Protect your cards and account numbers to prevent unauthorized use. Draw a line through blank spaces on charge slips so the amount can't be changed. Tear up carbons.
Keep a record - in a safe place separate from your cards - of your account numbers, expiration dates and the phone numbers of each issuer to report a loss quickly.
Carry only the cards you think you'll use.
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 30 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Avoiding The Pitfalls Of Credit Card Debt
Avoiding The Pitfalls Of Credit Card Debt
by Shirley Bullington
According to experts, the average American family currently owes more than $8,000 in credit card debt. This, coupled with all of the other bills and debt accrued through loans and mortgages, and the every day expenses of living, and it's not very difficult to see how easy it is to quickly fall behind, especially if you're relying on credit cards to help make ends meet.
If, like many people, you have several credit card bills to pay each and every month, you may think that paying off the one with the highest interest rate first is the best move toward avoiding spiraling out of control and into debt. In all actuality, paying off the one with the lowest total amount due first will make the most impact on your finances.
Once the lowest debt is completely paid off, take the money that you would normally be paying, and add it to the card with the next highest amount due. Of course if you have two credit cards with similar amounts due, then choose the one with the highest interest rate to pay off first. With this approach, paying off the smaller debts first will begin to make a real difference in terms of your overall financial picture soon than you may think.
Much like most things in life, people usually have to see real results before they're motivated to continue on with whatever it is they're trying to accomplish. Avoiding credit card debt is no different, as your attitude and the way you think about money in general has a great deal to do with whether or not you'll be able to keep your spending under control, and live within your means.
Here Are Six Tips for Avoiding the Most Common Credit Card Mistakes:
1. Set a strict budget and adhere to it no matter what. Truly look at your spending habits and see what luxuries could easily be eliminated until your credit cards are either completely paid in full, or at least at a more manageable level.
2. It's recommended to never spend more than 50% of your credit card's limit. Doing so not only affects your credit score, but also increases the likelihood that you'll go over the set limit and be charged extra fees.
3. Pay attention to the terms and conditions of your credit cards. Know what the annual fees are, if any, how long the grace period is, and read your statement carefully each month to make sure there are no errors.
4. Introductory offers expire before you know it, and the interest rate you were charged for the first three or six months, depending on the card, could now be considerably higher.
5. If you fall behind, don't be embarrassed or unwilling to call the credit card company to explain the situation. Calling and possibly being able to work out a more manageable payment plan is a far better option than avoiding the problem while the interest rate and fees continue to increase. Most companies will be more than willing to work with you, but only if you're also willing to address the issue and be responsible for your debts.
6. If you discover that you're unable to manage your credit card debt on your own, there are many legitimate credit counseling services that offer viable solutions for helpful people regain control of their finances.
by Shirley Bullington
According to experts, the average American family currently owes more than $8,000 in credit card debt. This, coupled with all of the other bills and debt accrued through loans and mortgages, and the every day expenses of living, and it's not very difficult to see how easy it is to quickly fall behind, especially if you're relying on credit cards to help make ends meet.
If, like many people, you have several credit card bills to pay each and every month, you may think that paying off the one with the highest interest rate first is the best move toward avoiding spiraling out of control and into debt. In all actuality, paying off the one with the lowest total amount due first will make the most impact on your finances.
Once the lowest debt is completely paid off, take the money that you would normally be paying, and add it to the card with the next highest amount due. Of course if you have two credit cards with similar amounts due, then choose the one with the highest interest rate to pay off first. With this approach, paying off the smaller debts first will begin to make a real difference in terms of your overall financial picture soon than you may think.
Much like most things in life, people usually have to see real results before they're motivated to continue on with whatever it is they're trying to accomplish. Avoiding credit card debt is no different, as your attitude and the way you think about money in general has a great deal to do with whether or not you'll be able to keep your spending under control, and live within your means.
Here Are Six Tips for Avoiding the Most Common Credit Card Mistakes:
1. Set a strict budget and adhere to it no matter what. Truly look at your spending habits and see what luxuries could easily be eliminated until your credit cards are either completely paid in full, or at least at a more manageable level.
2. It's recommended to never spend more than 50% of your credit card's limit. Doing so not only affects your credit score, but also increases the likelihood that you'll go over the set limit and be charged extra fees.
3. Pay attention to the terms and conditions of your credit cards. Know what the annual fees are, if any, how long the grace period is, and read your statement carefully each month to make sure there are no errors.
4. Introductory offers expire before you know it, and the interest rate you were charged for the first three or six months, depending on the card, could now be considerably higher.
5. If you fall behind, don't be embarrassed or unwilling to call the credit card company to explain the situation. Calling and possibly being able to work out a more manageable payment plan is a far better option than avoiding the problem while the interest rate and fees continue to increase. Most companies will be more than willing to work with you, but only if you're also willing to address the issue and be responsible for your debts.
6. If you discover that you're unable to manage your credit card debt on your own, there are many legitimate credit counseling services that offer viable solutions for helpful people regain control of their finances.
Take Credit Cards Online The Easy Way - Paypal
Take Credit Cards Online The Easy Way - Paypal
by Landon McGehee
There is without any doubt or question accepting credit cards is an absolute necessity online if you intend to run an online business; we take it for granted but a great deal relies on this now. You can't run an online business by taking checks or money orders; delays in processing the order will make it an nonviable proposition. No-one likes to wait on the Internet otherwise they would shop in a mall; caring about what your customers want is the key to success.
You need to a system to take a payment instantly to get your product or service out the door as soon as your customer orders it. Any professional company that has an e-commerce website will make sure that every type of payment system is in place including the ability to accept credit cards online; these sites aim to please their customers by accepting payment at any time of the day. If you don't take payments this way then you should inquire about having the option of online payments available as soon as you can.
There are now quite a number of methods of accepting credit cards online; this decision is often based on how much a company is willing to spend to run it. Because it is possible to use more than one method to accept credit cards online, many larger internet businesses use more than one system to attract additional customers.
Using Paypal
Often the traditional systems of accepting card payments can be expensive and out of the reach of many small internet businesses; however, a good alternative is to use Paypal to accept your credit card payments. The rise in the popularity of Paypal is partially due to eBay who purchased the company. It is slowly overtime becoming the payment system of choice for many.
All that is needed is a Paypal account to be created which is simple to use; many internet users prefer to use this system over others. The only way to keep customers is by supplying a safe online payment service for them to purchase your products or service; by ensuring your site is secure, your sales will increase and less potential customers will leave.
This means that the transaction is encrypted so that their information is not broadcast around the Internet for those who may take those numbers for their own use. Any website that accepts credit cards online will be a secure site with the first letters of the website address being https://, This provides peace of mind to the user, so if you do not have this facility your customers will go elsewhere. With internet fraud being one of the top concerns on the internet it is your responsibility to make your customers feel safe and secure when they place an order otherwise they will leave and order elsewhere.
by Landon McGehee
There is without any doubt or question accepting credit cards is an absolute necessity online if you intend to run an online business; we take it for granted but a great deal relies on this now. You can't run an online business by taking checks or money orders; delays in processing the order will make it an nonviable proposition. No-one likes to wait on the Internet otherwise they would shop in a mall; caring about what your customers want is the key to success.
You need to a system to take a payment instantly to get your product or service out the door as soon as your customer orders it. Any professional company that has an e-commerce website will make sure that every type of payment system is in place including the ability to accept credit cards online; these sites aim to please their customers by accepting payment at any time of the day. If you don't take payments this way then you should inquire about having the option of online payments available as soon as you can.
There are now quite a number of methods of accepting credit cards online; this decision is often based on how much a company is willing to spend to run it. Because it is possible to use more than one method to accept credit cards online, many larger internet businesses use more than one system to attract additional customers.
Using Paypal
Often the traditional systems of accepting card payments can be expensive and out of the reach of many small internet businesses; however, a good alternative is to use Paypal to accept your credit card payments. The rise in the popularity of Paypal is partially due to eBay who purchased the company. It is slowly overtime becoming the payment system of choice for many.
All that is needed is a Paypal account to be created which is simple to use; many internet users prefer to use this system over others. The only way to keep customers is by supplying a safe online payment service for them to purchase your products or service; by ensuring your site is secure, your sales will increase and less potential customers will leave.
This means that the transaction is encrypted so that their information is not broadcast around the Internet for those who may take those numbers for their own use. Any website that accepts credit cards online will be a secure site with the first letters of the website address being https://, This provides peace of mind to the user, so if you do not have this facility your customers will go elsewhere. With internet fraud being one of the top concerns on the internet it is your responsibility to make your customers feel safe and secure when they place an order otherwise they will leave and order elsewhere.
วันเสาร์ที่ 29 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
What if you Stop Paying Your Credit Card Bills - Good or Bad
What if you Stop Paying Your Credit Card Bills - Good or Bad
by Bryan Burbank
It seems like everyday things are getting more and more expensive and if you are like all of us we are using a credit card to pay for most of our purchases. The problem is we seem to get further and further into debt and most of us are just trying to keep up with the minimum balances. Should you keep paying these high balances and what if your late just one time. The credit card company will up your percentage rate to the maximum rate and it will cost you a lot more money.
Learn How To: Eliminate Debt
If you decide that enough is enough and you stop to pay your credit card bills then you will need to weigh out the good and the bad of doing this. On the good side you will probably be able to sleep better at night and you will always be able to pay a portion of your debt at a latter time. The negative can be that your credit score will suffer greatly depending on how much debt you have. You may also experience a lot of harassing phone call from debt collectors wanting their money.
It is important to know that a debt collector can not threaten to through you in jail, this is illegal. They are also not supposed to contact or harass family members about your debt. They must have permission from you to talk to anyone else about your debt.
Finally it is illegal for the credit card or collection agency to call and harass you at work.
You must look at the Good and the Bad when deciding to Stop Paying your Credit Card Bills
by Bryan Burbank
It seems like everyday things are getting more and more expensive and if you are like all of us we are using a credit card to pay for most of our purchases. The problem is we seem to get further and further into debt and most of us are just trying to keep up with the minimum balances. Should you keep paying these high balances and what if your late just one time. The credit card company will up your percentage rate to the maximum rate and it will cost you a lot more money.
Learn How To: Eliminate Debt
If you decide that enough is enough and you stop to pay your credit card bills then you will need to weigh out the good and the bad of doing this. On the good side you will probably be able to sleep better at night and you will always be able to pay a portion of your debt at a latter time. The negative can be that your credit score will suffer greatly depending on how much debt you have. You may also experience a lot of harassing phone call from debt collectors wanting their money.
It is important to know that a debt collector can not threaten to through you in jail, this is illegal. They are also not supposed to contact or harass family members about your debt. They must have permission from you to talk to anyone else about your debt.
Finally it is illegal for the credit card or collection agency to call and harass you at work.
You must look at the Good and the Bad when deciding to Stop Paying your Credit Card Bills
If You Pay Your Credit Card Bills - What Are The Benefits?
If You Pay Your Credit Card Bills - What Are The Benefits?
by Bryan Burbank
Are you in a situation were you just can't seem to keep up with your minimum credit card payments? Have you ever wondered that maybe I will just stop paying them all together. You think about it and are not sure if it is the best thing to do, should you keep paying them and hope one day they will be payed off or should you say screw it I am not going to keep giving my hard earned money to these guys.
Learn How To: Eliminate Debt
Let take a look at a situation were you stop paying them all together. The first thing that will happen is that you interest rate on your cards will go to the maximum amount that they can charge. Next you will start to receive call from the bank who the card is issued through, then later the calls will come from the debt agencies that the credit card company has sold your debt to.
The truth is that you can always send a cease and desist letter so you can stop the phone calls from coming in. Also you must know what your rights are and find out what the credit card companies are allowed to do. They are not allowed to threaten you in any way and it is illegal for them to talk to a family member and threaten them as well.
If you can get into a situation were you can negotiate the debt, then you can pay the credit card company off at a fraction of what the original debt is. Also it is important to know that the statue for credit card debt is 4 years.
You need to be informed when deciding to Pay your Credit Card Debt or not.
by Bryan Burbank
Are you in a situation were you just can't seem to keep up with your minimum credit card payments? Have you ever wondered that maybe I will just stop paying them all together. You think about it and are not sure if it is the best thing to do, should you keep paying them and hope one day they will be payed off or should you say screw it I am not going to keep giving my hard earned money to these guys.
Learn How To: Eliminate Debt
Let take a look at a situation were you stop paying them all together. The first thing that will happen is that you interest rate on your cards will go to the maximum amount that they can charge. Next you will start to receive call from the bank who the card is issued through, then later the calls will come from the debt agencies that the credit card company has sold your debt to.
The truth is that you can always send a cease and desist letter so you can stop the phone calls from coming in. Also you must know what your rights are and find out what the credit card companies are allowed to do. They are not allowed to threaten you in any way and it is illegal for them to talk to a family member and threaten them as well.
If you can get into a situation were you can negotiate the debt, then you can pay the credit card company off at a fraction of what the original debt is. Also it is important to know that the statue for credit card debt is 4 years.
You need to be informed when deciding to Pay your Credit Card Debt or not.
วันศุกร์ที่ 28 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
What Major Banks Offer Secured Credit Cards?
What Major Banks Offer Secured Credit Cards?
by Tom Tessin
When you're in the hunt for a new credit card, some people find that they have had great luck with other banks and card carriers. If you're currently in the hunt for a secured credit card because of bad credit and/or you're looking to re-establish credit, you're probably unfamiliar with the banks that issue these types of cards.
A lot of banks generally shy away from the bad credit region because of the past of just because people don't learn their lesson when they are looking to rebuild their credit leading this people once again to not pay their bills off in time hurting the credit card companies and the industry. So, the questions we look into today are what banks are offering secured credit cards and who would I recommend?
There are three banks that should come to mind when you start to think of bad credit and these banks love to specialize in this area because they love to help America and people with credit problems. Surprisingly, most people that have had bad credit in the past have learned their lesson and want to turn their lives around. Unfortunately, some people don't learn this lesson and this is where the previous paragraph comes into place and this is one of the big reasons big banks shy away.
Three of the bigger banks that offer secured credit cards are Bank of America, New Millennium, and Orchard Bank. While some of these banks sound familiar, some may sound completely foreign to you. The reason why some banks are unfamiliar when it comes to credit cards is because they tend to specialize in the bad credit field. You can rest assure that these banks are legit and are willing to help when you're in need.
Does a bank matter?
This question gets brought up a lot and it's really up to the consumer. Take anything you buy in life and take a note at where you purchase that particular item from. Why do you purchase this item from that particular store? The same will go with a bank. If you're unfamiliar with all of the banks offering a card, I would recommend that you either do a little research online or ask around to family and relatives and see what they have to say about the bank. Sometimes you'll get great feedback and other times you'll still be lost.
If you can't find the right information about the particular bank you're applying for, it's always best to just compare the cards itself and see which one satisfies you the most. If you end up not liking the credit card, simply cancel it and apply for a new one but chances are you'll like the bank because most banks when it comes to credit cards run the same. Unless you run into a rare occasion where you don't like the customer service or how the card works, your experience with a secured card should work for you so that you can re-establish your credit history.
by Tom Tessin
When you're in the hunt for a new credit card, some people find that they have had great luck with other banks and card carriers. If you're currently in the hunt for a secured credit card because of bad credit and/or you're looking to re-establish credit, you're probably unfamiliar with the banks that issue these types of cards.
A lot of banks generally shy away from the bad credit region because of the past of just because people don't learn their lesson when they are looking to rebuild their credit leading this people once again to not pay their bills off in time hurting the credit card companies and the industry. So, the questions we look into today are what banks are offering secured credit cards and who would I recommend?
There are three banks that should come to mind when you start to think of bad credit and these banks love to specialize in this area because they love to help America and people with credit problems. Surprisingly, most people that have had bad credit in the past have learned their lesson and want to turn their lives around. Unfortunately, some people don't learn this lesson and this is where the previous paragraph comes into place and this is one of the big reasons big banks shy away.
Three of the bigger banks that offer secured credit cards are Bank of America, New Millennium, and Orchard Bank. While some of these banks sound familiar, some may sound completely foreign to you. The reason why some banks are unfamiliar when it comes to credit cards is because they tend to specialize in the bad credit field. You can rest assure that these banks are legit and are willing to help when you're in need.
Does a bank matter?
This question gets brought up a lot and it's really up to the consumer. Take anything you buy in life and take a note at where you purchase that particular item from. Why do you purchase this item from that particular store? The same will go with a bank. If you're unfamiliar with all of the banks offering a card, I would recommend that you either do a little research online or ask around to family and relatives and see what they have to say about the bank. Sometimes you'll get great feedback and other times you'll still be lost.
If you can't find the right information about the particular bank you're applying for, it's always best to just compare the cards itself and see which one satisfies you the most. If you end up not liking the credit card, simply cancel it and apply for a new one but chances are you'll like the bank because most banks when it comes to credit cards run the same. Unless you run into a rare occasion where you don't like the customer service or how the card works, your experience with a secured card should work for you so that you can re-establish your credit history.
Establish good credit habits with a student credit card
Establish good credit habits with a student credit card
by Susan Slobac
Young people starting out in today's marketplace need a couple of items to succeed. One is a bank account that offers credit and savings privileges. The other is a student credit card. Earning money and setting aside a portion each month for savings is an excellent way to utilize the money a young person earns. But in order to build a credit history, cash purchases are not enough. Banks require a credit history before you will be allowed a loan for the purchase of a car or a house.
A good way to develop a credit history is through the responsible use of a student credit card. By establishing a regular pattern of making purchases on a student credit card and then paying them off conscientiously, it is possible to build an impressive credit history. Good credit provides greater future purchasing power through increased lines of credit.
When you are looking for a new credit card, instant approval can take all the waiting out of the approval process. This will enable the credit card company to issue the card much sooner than using normal processes, and gives you the opportunity to use your new card sooner rather than later.
Under normal circumstances, if you are a new borrower and have no credit history, you might be required to have a cosigner in order to get a student credit card. Some banks that offer credit cards will reduce their risk by requiring you find an adult with a good credit history to sign your credit card application with you, with the understanding that if you default on the card, the cosigner would be responsible for paying the balance. It can be difficult to find an adult that would be willing to cosign, so you will want to examine each credit card offer for their requirements prior to applying.
Bank of America offers a student credit card that requires no cosigner, however. Once you have that credit card, instant buying power is yours. The student card from Bank of America also comes without an annual fee, and offers the convenience of online banking as well.
To be eligible for a student credit card, you will need to be enrolled in some kind of educational institution and be older than eighteen years of age. A credit card, when used reasonably by a student, can be a great tool to help you build your credit history so that it reflects well on you.
by Susan Slobac
Young people starting out in today's marketplace need a couple of items to succeed. One is a bank account that offers credit and savings privileges. The other is a student credit card. Earning money and setting aside a portion each month for savings is an excellent way to utilize the money a young person earns. But in order to build a credit history, cash purchases are not enough. Banks require a credit history before you will be allowed a loan for the purchase of a car or a house.
A good way to develop a credit history is through the responsible use of a student credit card. By establishing a regular pattern of making purchases on a student credit card and then paying them off conscientiously, it is possible to build an impressive credit history. Good credit provides greater future purchasing power through increased lines of credit.
When you are looking for a new credit card, instant approval can take all the waiting out of the approval process. This will enable the credit card company to issue the card much sooner than using normal processes, and gives you the opportunity to use your new card sooner rather than later.
Under normal circumstances, if you are a new borrower and have no credit history, you might be required to have a cosigner in order to get a student credit card. Some banks that offer credit cards will reduce their risk by requiring you find an adult with a good credit history to sign your credit card application with you, with the understanding that if you default on the card, the cosigner would be responsible for paying the balance. It can be difficult to find an adult that would be willing to cosign, so you will want to examine each credit card offer for their requirements prior to applying.
Bank of America offers a student credit card that requires no cosigner, however. Once you have that credit card, instant buying power is yours. The student card from Bank of America also comes without an annual fee, and offers the convenience of online banking as well.
To be eligible for a student credit card, you will need to be enrolled in some kind of educational institution and be older than eighteen years of age. A credit card, when used reasonably by a student, can be a great tool to help you build your credit history so that it reflects well on you.
Instant Approval Credit Cards: How They Work
Instant Approval Credit Cards: How They Work
by Ed Vegliante
Everything moves faster in today's world. Credit card companies recognize that consumers expect fast results, and they have responded accordingly. You can now apply for what is known as the instant approval credit card. How does this type of card work? And just how "instant" is it? Here's the run-down on instant approval credit cards and how to decide if one is right for you.
Where to Find Them
Applications for instant approval credit cards are not likely to show up in your mailbox. You can, however, find them online by going to a credit card website. They are often listed in a section of their own. Some can be found in other categories, such as low interest rate cards or cards for those with poor credit.
What "Instant" Means
Most companies advertise that you will know whether or not you've been approved for the card within 60 seconds. This means that after you fill out an online application and send it in, a response will be e-mailed to you in less than a minute. The process is incredibly faster than sending in an application through the mail.
Getting approved for a credit card does not mean that you can begin using it right away. You will have to wait for the actual piece of plastic to arrive in your mailbox. In most cases, this takes between five and seven business days. Once you have the card in your hands, you'll need to call a number to authorize that you have received it. Then you're free to swipe it as you wish.
How the Process Works
Just how do companies instantly know if you can handle a credit card? In most situations, companies run a quick check on your credit. They usually have access to your FICO score. FICO stands for Fair Isaac & Company, the corporation that develops credit scores for consumers. The numbers range from 300 to 850. The higher your score is, the more likely you are to get approved for a credit card.
When the credit card company receives your score and approves the application, it then does a more thorough check. It reviews your credit and makes a final decision based on that. While the instant approval is not a 100% guarantee, in most cases the answer you first receive is the correct one.
Having your private information sent through the Internet may seem scary. But there is hardly a need to worry about fraud in the instant approval process. Credit card companies use the latest data encryption available to make sure that your information remains secure. If you are unsure of a site, check for a padlock on the screen. This indicates that they use the latest security technology.
At one time, instant approval credit cards mostly targeted consumers with good or excellent credit. Today, however, competition between credit card companies has increased greatly. This has resulted in more options for you, the consumer. Even if your credit is poor, you can find cards that offer the instant approval feature.
Regardless of the card you choose, you'll want to read through the fine print before you apply. Also review the other benefits and rewards that are included. Once you've chosen the one that's right for you, the application process takes only a few minutes. You'll soon have another credit card to add to your wallet.
by Ed Vegliante
Everything moves faster in today's world. Credit card companies recognize that consumers expect fast results, and they have responded accordingly. You can now apply for what is known as the instant approval credit card. How does this type of card work? And just how "instant" is it? Here's the run-down on instant approval credit cards and how to decide if one is right for you.
Where to Find Them
Applications for instant approval credit cards are not likely to show up in your mailbox. You can, however, find them online by going to a credit card website. They are often listed in a section of their own. Some can be found in other categories, such as low interest rate cards or cards for those with poor credit.
What "Instant" Means
Most companies advertise that you will know whether or not you've been approved for the card within 60 seconds. This means that after you fill out an online application and send it in, a response will be e-mailed to you in less than a minute. The process is incredibly faster than sending in an application through the mail.
Getting approved for a credit card does not mean that you can begin using it right away. You will have to wait for the actual piece of plastic to arrive in your mailbox. In most cases, this takes between five and seven business days. Once you have the card in your hands, you'll need to call a number to authorize that you have received it. Then you're free to swipe it as you wish.
How the Process Works
Just how do companies instantly know if you can handle a credit card? In most situations, companies run a quick check on your credit. They usually have access to your FICO score. FICO stands for Fair Isaac & Company, the corporation that develops credit scores for consumers. The numbers range from 300 to 850. The higher your score is, the more likely you are to get approved for a credit card.
When the credit card company receives your score and approves the application, it then does a more thorough check. It reviews your credit and makes a final decision based on that. While the instant approval is not a 100% guarantee, in most cases the answer you first receive is the correct one.
Having your private information sent through the Internet may seem scary. But there is hardly a need to worry about fraud in the instant approval process. Credit card companies use the latest data encryption available to make sure that your information remains secure. If you are unsure of a site, check for a padlock on the screen. This indicates that they use the latest security technology.
At one time, instant approval credit cards mostly targeted consumers with good or excellent credit. Today, however, competition between credit card companies has increased greatly. This has resulted in more options for you, the consumer. Even if your credit is poor, you can find cards that offer the instant approval feature.
Regardless of the card you choose, you'll want to read through the fine print before you apply. Also review the other benefits and rewards that are included. Once you've chosen the one that's right for you, the application process takes only a few minutes. You'll soon have another credit card to add to your wallet.
วันศุกร์ที่ 21 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Banks Controlling Credit card Purchases
Banks Controlling Credit card Purchases
by Joseph Wehner
It was the day before March Madness 2008 begins so I kept some time open to examine the brackets and make a small wager on teams I like, that was, until my credit card was denied.
I just contacted Household Bank, my credit card company, in regards to their denying my $100.00 deposit into an online sports wagering site. I spoke to a customer service representative who told me that several credit card companies have blocked using credit cards for gambling. Even though I have excellent history with them, I am not responsible enough to decide where and how I wish to spend my money.
I am appalled at this ludicrous debauchery dictating where and how I wish to spend my money. This is a cross between socialism and dictatorship and although this particular agenda may not inconvenience those who are not sport enthusiasts, it is a sign of where this country is headed. It is becoming more and more a liberal dictatorship. This country was founded under God and the Declarations of Independence was signed under God. God is under attack as well but it is a much larger issue because thankfully, there are still many believers and worshipers of God. This is the master plan; to eliminate God, build government, and socialize this great nation. Quelling online wagering by blocking credit cards is just another victory and step in conquering our freedom. This may seem like an extreme example, but is it really? Every holiday there is an attack on God and the bible. Homosexuality, an obvious abnormality, is being promoted by the media and Hollywood. Drugs and porn are still increasing with no sign of relief.
I cannot wager with a reputable company online but I can join porn sites and buy from online drug dealers with no problems. How does this make sense? The truly twisted hypocrisy gambling is on such a rise in America. There are casinos opening everywhere. I guess it is alright because once again, governments (Fed, state, & local) are raking in profits. I mean if we want to regulate people, let's start shutting their cards off at restaurants, grocery stores, etc. Obesity is the biggest problem we face and while all these obese persons sit around making decisions about others, they fail to stop and look at themselves. My intentions are not to insult anyone. I am just searching for answers and see if anyone understands what I am saying. Look at the bigger picture here, if this is not a violation on our freedoms, then please outline to me, what is?
Listen even if you are not a gambler, this issue proves the control governments and banks are putting on us. Furthermore, the web is filled with porn.
How can credit cards be accepted at porn sites over a gambling site?
Why is America becoming so dependent on gambling? Local governments are passing and opening casinos across the whole country?
It is even hard to find a local bookmaker these days because they ran them all out but every other street corner a drug deal is going down. I understand gambling can be a serious problem for some but it is a back seat to many other legal vices. Alcohol has probably wrecked more families than anything; yet, I could go into a liquor store and max my credit card out. I can buy all the cigarettes I want, drinks at a night club, solicit prostitution through an escort service, and even purchase illegal drugs over the internet all with my credit card but I am unable to deposit a simple $100.00 to enjoy one of my favorite sporting events, March Madness.
Gambling is increasing growth every where in America yet, new laws prohibit online gambling. People do many things over and above what they should do but they are not controlled by where and how they spend their money. Credit card companies are trying to control our freedoms by not allowing participation in online wagering. We are in the biggest epidemic of house foreclosures because people over do things. People are losing homes because banks let them re-mortgage over their heads. So please do not tell me they are monitoring our credit card purchases for our own good.
If you understand my passion and want to keep America free, powerful, and the land of opportunity, please don't just read this article, write your own. Let's start being heard so we can maintain our freedom and keep our country safe under God. Too many lives were sacrificed from great men and women to get America where it is today. Don't turn your backs, stand up and keep America great.
by Joseph Wehner
It was the day before March Madness 2008 begins so I kept some time open to examine the brackets and make a small wager on teams I like, that was, until my credit card was denied.
I just contacted Household Bank, my credit card company, in regards to their denying my $100.00 deposit into an online sports wagering site. I spoke to a customer service representative who told me that several credit card companies have blocked using credit cards for gambling. Even though I have excellent history with them, I am not responsible enough to decide where and how I wish to spend my money.
I am appalled at this ludicrous debauchery dictating where and how I wish to spend my money. This is a cross between socialism and dictatorship and although this particular agenda may not inconvenience those who are not sport enthusiasts, it is a sign of where this country is headed. It is becoming more and more a liberal dictatorship. This country was founded under God and the Declarations of Independence was signed under God. God is under attack as well but it is a much larger issue because thankfully, there are still many believers and worshipers of God. This is the master plan; to eliminate God, build government, and socialize this great nation. Quelling online wagering by blocking credit cards is just another victory and step in conquering our freedom. This may seem like an extreme example, but is it really? Every holiday there is an attack on God and the bible. Homosexuality, an obvious abnormality, is being promoted by the media and Hollywood. Drugs and porn are still increasing with no sign of relief.
I cannot wager with a reputable company online but I can join porn sites and buy from online drug dealers with no problems. How does this make sense? The truly twisted hypocrisy gambling is on such a rise in America. There are casinos opening everywhere. I guess it is alright because once again, governments (Fed, state, & local) are raking in profits. I mean if we want to regulate people, let's start shutting their cards off at restaurants, grocery stores, etc. Obesity is the biggest problem we face and while all these obese persons sit around making decisions about others, they fail to stop and look at themselves. My intentions are not to insult anyone. I am just searching for answers and see if anyone understands what I am saying. Look at the bigger picture here, if this is not a violation on our freedoms, then please outline to me, what is?
Listen even if you are not a gambler, this issue proves the control governments and banks are putting on us. Furthermore, the web is filled with porn.
How can credit cards be accepted at porn sites over a gambling site?
Why is America becoming so dependent on gambling? Local governments are passing and opening casinos across the whole country?
It is even hard to find a local bookmaker these days because they ran them all out but every other street corner a drug deal is going down. I understand gambling can be a serious problem for some but it is a back seat to many other legal vices. Alcohol has probably wrecked more families than anything; yet, I could go into a liquor store and max my credit card out. I can buy all the cigarettes I want, drinks at a night club, solicit prostitution through an escort service, and even purchase illegal drugs over the internet all with my credit card but I am unable to deposit a simple $100.00 to enjoy one of my favorite sporting events, March Madness.
Gambling is increasing growth every where in America yet, new laws prohibit online gambling. People do many things over and above what they should do but they are not controlled by where and how they spend their money. Credit card companies are trying to control our freedoms by not allowing participation in online wagering. We are in the biggest epidemic of house foreclosures because people over do things. People are losing homes because banks let them re-mortgage over their heads. So please do not tell me they are monitoring our credit card purchases for our own good.
If you understand my passion and want to keep America free, powerful, and the land of opportunity, please don't just read this article, write your own. Let's start being heard so we can maintain our freedom and keep our country safe under God. Too many lives were sacrificed from great men and women to get America where it is today. Don't turn your backs, stand up and keep America great.
Where To Find 0 Percent Interest Credit Card Offers
Where To Find 0 Percent Interest Credit Card Offers
by C.R. Hayes
If you are carrying several credit card balances, you would probably be interested in 0 percent interest credit card offers. In case you aren't interested, you should be. Why? So you can transfer as much as possible of those interest bearing balances to a single no interest card and pay them off quicker. Think about what you are doing now. Let's say you have three cards, all with outstanding balances, and you are paying the minimum payment on each every month. Most likely it is going to take you many years to pay them off at that rate.
Even if you are applying more dollars monthly, it is still going to take you a good while to see that final bill of $0 due on those three different bills.
When part of your payment goes to interest, you are applying only a portion of it to the actual balance. With each new invoice, you see the total amount due decrease by very little. Of course if you apply more, it decreases more, but not by enough. Chances are, if you do indeed have three cards, you can't round up enough cash to pay extra on all three of them every month either.
Now, look at this scenario... you apply for a 'no interest for 12 months' card. Then, you transfer those outstanding card debts over to the new card. From now on, the full payment you make each month will subtract from the total bill.
One payment, one bill, hopefully. Having only one bill will depend on the credit limit your new card issues to you, of course. You may still have to continue paying on one of your current cards, but the new one gives you a huge advantage to reduce or wipe out a big chunk of debt in a shorter period of time. Pay any extra you have on that one with 0 interest.
Since there is no interest for you to deal with for 12 full months, you can make tremendous progress in wiping out that entire bill before you know it.
If you have it to spare, you should pay extra each month too, not just the minimum required. If you can eliminate two or three cards/payments, you should indeed have that extra money to pay more. It could benefit you several years worth of payments if you do.
But, and keep this in mind, don't be tempted to use that new credit card for any new purchases if your goal is to get out of debt. Don't carry it in your wallet or purse, but rather put it away in a safe place so you don't use it.
Your whole purpose is to reduce and eliminate credit card debt, and the only way you are going to do that is to refrain from the temptation of spending. You want to move forward, not backward.
So, the question is, where do you find those 0 percent interest credit card offers? You will find them on our website, and it's totally FREE.
by C.R. Hayes
If you are carrying several credit card balances, you would probably be interested in 0 percent interest credit card offers. In case you aren't interested, you should be. Why? So you can transfer as much as possible of those interest bearing balances to a single no interest card and pay them off quicker. Think about what you are doing now. Let's say you have three cards, all with outstanding balances, and you are paying the minimum payment on each every month. Most likely it is going to take you many years to pay them off at that rate.
Even if you are applying more dollars monthly, it is still going to take you a good while to see that final bill of $0 due on those three different bills.
When part of your payment goes to interest, you are applying only a portion of it to the actual balance. With each new invoice, you see the total amount due decrease by very little. Of course if you apply more, it decreases more, but not by enough. Chances are, if you do indeed have three cards, you can't round up enough cash to pay extra on all three of them every month either.
Now, look at this scenario... you apply for a 'no interest for 12 months' card. Then, you transfer those outstanding card debts over to the new card. From now on, the full payment you make each month will subtract from the total bill.
One payment, one bill, hopefully. Having only one bill will depend on the credit limit your new card issues to you, of course. You may still have to continue paying on one of your current cards, but the new one gives you a huge advantage to reduce or wipe out a big chunk of debt in a shorter period of time. Pay any extra you have on that one with 0 interest.
Since there is no interest for you to deal with for 12 full months, you can make tremendous progress in wiping out that entire bill before you know it.
If you have it to spare, you should pay extra each month too, not just the minimum required. If you can eliminate two or three cards/payments, you should indeed have that extra money to pay more. It could benefit you several years worth of payments if you do.
But, and keep this in mind, don't be tempted to use that new credit card for any new purchases if your goal is to get out of debt. Don't carry it in your wallet or purse, but rather put it away in a safe place so you don't use it.
Your whole purpose is to reduce and eliminate credit card debt, and the only way you are going to do that is to refrain from the temptation of spending. You want to move forward, not backward.
So, the question is, where do you find those 0 percent interest credit card offers? You will find them on our website, and it's totally FREE.
0 Interest Rate Credit Cards - Apply Online For Yours Today
0 Interest Rate Credit Cards - Apply Online For Yours Today
by C.H. Hayes
I'm sure you already know that paying multiple payments, one for each of numerous credit cards, each month can be difficult on your budget. How would you like to not only reduce the number of cards you have, but also reduce the amount you'll be paying back too?
Do you know that you can combine, or consolidate, balances from multiple cards to a single one and pay zero interest from six to eighteen months? You can, if you qualify.
If you are looking to decrease your credit card debt load, a wise move would be to seek out 0 interest rate credit cards and apply for one as soon as possible. You can do this conveniently online.
How would this benefit you?
It helps you to pay off your bills and get out of debt at a much faster pace.
Once you get that new card, you can then transfer balances over to it from your higher rate cards.
Now, this strategy works by using it for those transfers only. Do not use it to run up more debt. New purchases would defeat the whole purpose of reducing your debt.
You'll find that companies offer many types of promotions, including zero fees for transfers and zero interest for anywhere from 6 to 18 months. You want to use that promotional period to pay down your balance as soon as possible, therefore it is wise to pay as much as you can above your minimum monthly payment amount.
Depending upon the limit set forth by your new card company, you may be able to transfer balances from any number of credit cards you carry. You then have the option to apply that monthly interest you are now paying to the new consolidated balance.
This is how to do it.
Apply for a 0 interest rate credit cards
Transfer balances from other credit cards with higher interest rates.
Pay as much above your minimum monthly payment as you can.
Reduce your overall payments and entire debt by a matter of years.
by C.H. Hayes
I'm sure you already know that paying multiple payments, one for each of numerous credit cards, each month can be difficult on your budget. How would you like to not only reduce the number of cards you have, but also reduce the amount you'll be paying back too?
Do you know that you can combine, or consolidate, balances from multiple cards to a single one and pay zero interest from six to eighteen months? You can, if you qualify.
If you are looking to decrease your credit card debt load, a wise move would be to seek out 0 interest rate credit cards and apply for one as soon as possible. You can do this conveniently online.
How would this benefit you?
It helps you to pay off your bills and get out of debt at a much faster pace.
Once you get that new card, you can then transfer balances over to it from your higher rate cards.
Now, this strategy works by using it for those transfers only. Do not use it to run up more debt. New purchases would defeat the whole purpose of reducing your debt.
You'll find that companies offer many types of promotions, including zero fees for transfers and zero interest for anywhere from 6 to 18 months. You want to use that promotional period to pay down your balance as soon as possible, therefore it is wise to pay as much as you can above your minimum monthly payment amount.
Depending upon the limit set forth by your new card company, you may be able to transfer balances from any number of credit cards you carry. You then have the option to apply that monthly interest you are now paying to the new consolidated balance.
This is how to do it.
Apply for a 0 interest rate credit cards
Transfer balances from other credit cards with higher interest rates.
Pay as much above your minimum monthly payment as you can.
Reduce your overall payments and entire debt by a matter of years.
วันอังคารที่ 18 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Applying Online for a Credit Card Benefits
Applying Online for a Credit Card Benefits
by Jason Deines
In our busy day-to-day lives we are always on the look out for ways to increase our productivity as we take on new tasks. At times it is hard to wait for things to happen or resources to be added to our daily tool box. When it comes to acquiring credit there are several ways to do so, some faster than others.
We all have received credit card offers in the mail, usually pressuring you to apply by a certain date to be eligible for the introductory rate being offered. However, the approval process when applying for a credit card using this method can be slow and there are some people that don't like to send personal information through the mail. There are safer quicker ways to apply for a credit card.
When it comes to applying for a credit card one of the safest, fastest, and most convenient methods is to apply for a credit card online. Major credit card issuers provide access to websites through a secure server, "https". Thus making it safer for potential customers when providing personal information. Be sure to check the URL to see that there is an "s" at the end of the "http". You can also check the website's security certificate, ie. Verisign icon, to make sure it is up to date. There is not sure fire way to protect yourself all the time from possible thieves however, applying for a credit card online is a very secure and safe method.
Applying online for a credit card is convenient and gives you the ability to quickly and easily compare credit card offers. It never seems to fail that I get what I think is a good credit card offer in the mail only to receive a better one a week or two later after applying for the prior. It is easy to do your homework from your computer to view competing credit card issuers to find the best credit card that meets your needs.
After filling out the credit application on the card issuer's website, often times you are given an answer before logging off whether you are approved or not or if further information is needed. When approved via the Internet for a credit card the time it takes to get your card is much less than when doing it through the mail. So when you apply online for a credit card you are able to speed the process up considerably while being able to make an informed decision that will prove to be beneficial in the long run.
by Jason Deines
In our busy day-to-day lives we are always on the look out for ways to increase our productivity as we take on new tasks. At times it is hard to wait for things to happen or resources to be added to our daily tool box. When it comes to acquiring credit there are several ways to do so, some faster than others.
We all have received credit card offers in the mail, usually pressuring you to apply by a certain date to be eligible for the introductory rate being offered. However, the approval process when applying for a credit card using this method can be slow and there are some people that don't like to send personal information through the mail. There are safer quicker ways to apply for a credit card.
When it comes to applying for a credit card one of the safest, fastest, and most convenient methods is to apply for a credit card online. Major credit card issuers provide access to websites through a secure server, "https". Thus making it safer for potential customers when providing personal information. Be sure to check the URL to see that there is an "s" at the end of the "http". You can also check the website's security certificate, ie. Verisign icon, to make sure it is up to date. There is not sure fire way to protect yourself all the time from possible thieves however, applying for a credit card online is a very secure and safe method.
Applying online for a credit card is convenient and gives you the ability to quickly and easily compare credit card offers. It never seems to fail that I get what I think is a good credit card offer in the mail only to receive a better one a week or two later after applying for the prior. It is easy to do your homework from your computer to view competing credit card issuers to find the best credit card that meets your needs.
After filling out the credit application on the card issuer's website, often times you are given an answer before logging off whether you are approved or not or if further information is needed. When approved via the Internet for a credit card the time it takes to get your card is much less than when doing it through the mail. So when you apply online for a credit card you are able to speed the process up considerably while being able to make an informed decision that will prove to be beneficial in the long run.
The Credit Card Application Process
The Credit Card Application Process
by Jason Deines
When applying for a loan or other form of borrowing the application process can be extensive and require a lot of information. However, when it comes to applying for a credit card the application process is simple and easy. When determining whether or not to grant you credit, credit card issuers tend to put a lot of emphasis on a person's credit history and whether or not they have made their payments in a timely manner. For credit card issuers to make an informed decision on whether or not to grant credit to an individual they need some basic information.
When applying for a credit card you will have to fill out a credit application whether it is online or one you received in the mail. Generally, there are ten bits of information required to get the approval process going.
1. First and last name
2. Physical mailing address
3. Home phone number
4. Work phone number
5. Date of birth
6. Social security number
7. Employer name
8. Annual household income
9. Signature
10. Date the application was completed
As you can see the process of filling out a credit application requires only a few personal details but combined these details give the credit card issuer the ability to find out additional information about you. Because this information is sensitive you may choose to provide the information by calling the card issuer directly via their 1-800 number or over the Internet on a secure server.
Once your application has been submitted it can take several weeks before you find out whether you have been approved for credit or not. You may need to provide additional information to complete the process. If for some reason you are not approved the card issuer is required to send you a letter stating why or you can call them directly and find out what the reason is. Remember, just because you received a credit card offer in the mail does not automatically mean you will be approved.
by Jason Deines
When applying for a loan or other form of borrowing the application process can be extensive and require a lot of information. However, when it comes to applying for a credit card the application process is simple and easy. When determining whether or not to grant you credit, credit card issuers tend to put a lot of emphasis on a person's credit history and whether or not they have made their payments in a timely manner. For credit card issuers to make an informed decision on whether or not to grant credit to an individual they need some basic information.
When applying for a credit card you will have to fill out a credit application whether it is online or one you received in the mail. Generally, there are ten bits of information required to get the approval process going.
1. First and last name
2. Physical mailing address
3. Home phone number
4. Work phone number
5. Date of birth
6. Social security number
7. Employer name
8. Annual household income
9. Signature
10. Date the application was completed
As you can see the process of filling out a credit application requires only a few personal details but combined these details give the credit card issuer the ability to find out additional information about you. Because this information is sensitive you may choose to provide the information by calling the card issuer directly via their 1-800 number or over the Internet on a secure server.
Once your application has been submitted it can take several weeks before you find out whether you have been approved for credit or not. You may need to provide additional information to complete the process. If for some reason you are not approved the card issuer is required to send you a letter stating why or you can call them directly and find out what the reason is. Remember, just because you received a credit card offer in the mail does not automatically mean you will be approved.
วันจันทร์ที่ 17 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Fact about getting michigan credit card processing
Fact about getting michigan credit card processing
by simon uzoma
Are you considering getting your michigan credit card , you are probably wondering what kind of michigan credit card processing terminal will be best for you. There are many things to consider when choosing your michigan credit card processing, The easiest way to get michigan credit card processing approval is to go online. You can also call thier companies directly, but this often takes longer as you have to wait on hold, not to mention you will have to go online anyway just to find a number to call to begin with! So let us just stick with getting michigan credit card processing approval online. When going to any michigan credit card processing website, try to pick one that offers a chart of several credit card companies for you to choose from. This chart should list the various rates and promotions each credit card company offers such as: APR rates, cash back awards, annual fees, balance transfer rates, etc. This way you can pick which one is right for you. It then should have a link for you to click on to apply online and get instant credit card approval.michigan credit card processing Account Application Fee - This is a way of saying you're submitting an application for michigan credit card processing services.
The company you're applying to will look at your financials, and make their decision from there. It is of great benefit for you to research the ins and outs of the fee structure charged by each of your potential services companies and/or banks that supply michigan credit card processing accounts. There are many providers who fail to fully disclose their terms and conditions until you actually sign up for the account - so you might need to ask them for a copy of their "T&C". This way you are able to understand just how much it will truly set you back to use that account. In any case, make certain that you totally comprehend the terms and conditions before going with that company.
by simon uzoma
Are you considering getting your michigan credit card , you are probably wondering what kind of michigan credit card processing terminal will be best for you. There are many things to consider when choosing your michigan credit card processing, The easiest way to get michigan credit card processing approval is to go online. You can also call thier companies directly, but this often takes longer as you have to wait on hold, not to mention you will have to go online anyway just to find a number to call to begin with! So let us just stick with getting michigan credit card processing approval online. When going to any michigan credit card processing website, try to pick one that offers a chart of several credit card companies for you to choose from. This chart should list the various rates and promotions each credit card company offers such as: APR rates, cash back awards, annual fees, balance transfer rates, etc. This way you can pick which one is right for you. It then should have a link for you to click on to apply online and get instant credit card approval.michigan credit card processing Account Application Fee - This is a way of saying you're submitting an application for michigan credit card processing services.
The company you're applying to will look at your financials, and make their decision from there. It is of great benefit for you to research the ins and outs of the fee structure charged by each of your potential services companies and/or banks that supply michigan credit card processing accounts. There are many providers who fail to fully disclose their terms and conditions until you actually sign up for the account - so you might need to ask them for a copy of their "T&C". This way you are able to understand just how much it will truly set you back to use that account. In any case, make certain that you totally comprehend the terms and conditions before going with that company.
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 16 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
How to get the best michigan credit card processing
How to get the best michigan credit card processing
by simon uzoma
Before you even get close to making a decision on a michigan credit card processing account company, make some research by spending some time cruising through a half-dozen provider Web sites.
Most sites will include a list of charges and fees associated with doing business with them - and you might be surprised at the differences. Compare charges for things like transaction fees, internet processing gateway fees and statement/customer services fees, among others, It is easy to apply for an instant approval michigan credit card processing online. you have to make up your mind about which Michigan credit card processing company you would like to get your instant approval card from, you can apply simply by registering with the particular Michigan credit card processing company's website you decide to make business with.
All you have to do is fill an online form, providing your personal details to the company. Rest everything is at a click-away distance. Make sure the michigan credit card processing company you register with is also the company that will be processing the transactions. Some use third-party processors that can slow down the amount of time it takes money to be put into your account.
And improved cash flow is one more advantage of allowing a michigan credit card processing on your Web store. However, there is one other factor to consider Just because a company says they charge a certain fee or has a certain policy doesn't mean there's not room to negotiate. It doesn't hurt to ask that there be no early-termination fee, or to request several specific parameters whereby that fee is waived for poor customer service. keep in mind that this is your business we're talking about here, so even if adding michigan credit card processing does have you a little intimidated don't hesitate to ask as many questions as you need so that will insure a good decision. A good michigan credit card processing services company will take as much time as is needed to make sure you're happy with your decision.
Finally, never allow the decision to be based completely on who has the lowest rate. There is nothing wrong with saving money and getting a good deal, but often the low-price provider uses that claim as a tactic to hide fees that will drive up the cost. This is why it is so important to work with a company that walks you through the whole process and can justify what it charges. The established companies will be able to make their case that, after you consider service and capabilities, their deal is much better than the guy offering the "lowest" price.
by simon uzoma
Before you even get close to making a decision on a michigan credit card processing account company, make some research by spending some time cruising through a half-dozen provider Web sites.
Most sites will include a list of charges and fees associated with doing business with them - and you might be surprised at the differences. Compare charges for things like transaction fees, internet processing gateway fees and statement/customer services fees, among others, It is easy to apply for an instant approval michigan credit card processing online. you have to make up your mind about which Michigan credit card processing company you would like to get your instant approval card from, you can apply simply by registering with the particular Michigan credit card processing company's website you decide to make business with.
All you have to do is fill an online form, providing your personal details to the company. Rest everything is at a click-away distance. Make sure the michigan credit card processing company you register with is also the company that will be processing the transactions. Some use third-party processors that can slow down the amount of time it takes money to be put into your account.
And improved cash flow is one more advantage of allowing a michigan credit card processing on your Web store. However, there is one other factor to consider Just because a company says they charge a certain fee or has a certain policy doesn't mean there's not room to negotiate. It doesn't hurt to ask that there be no early-termination fee, or to request several specific parameters whereby that fee is waived for poor customer service. keep in mind that this is your business we're talking about here, so even if adding michigan credit card processing does have you a little intimidated don't hesitate to ask as many questions as you need so that will insure a good decision. A good michigan credit card processing services company will take as much time as is needed to make sure you're happy with your decision.
Finally, never allow the decision to be based completely on who has the lowest rate. There is nothing wrong with saving money and getting a good deal, but often the low-price provider uses that claim as a tactic to hide fees that will drive up the cost. This is why it is so important to work with a company that walks you through the whole process and can justify what it charges. The established companies will be able to make their case that, after you consider service and capabilities, their deal is much better than the guy offering the "lowest" price.
Saving Money With A Bad Credit Loan Rate
Saving Money With A Bad Credit Loan Rate
by Paul Rogers
There are plenty of things you can do to get yourself a bad credit loan rate. All types of loan rate starts with the borrowers credit report. The better your credit report the better the loan rate you will get. The smartest way to ensure that you will get what you want in a loan rate is to request a copy of your credit report before looking for a loan.
Quite often people have no idea that there are some mistakes or discrepancies on their credit report that are keeping them from being offered a low loan rate. If you find any type of discrepancies that can keep you from getting a low loan rate, fix them prior to applying for your loan. Another easy way to boost your credit score and get a great loan rate is to pay off 20% of the balance of all your credit card bills. Credit cards can make your credit score lower when they have a balance on them.
Where To Look
There are plenty of places you can look to find a bad credit loan rate that will work for you. All the lenders out there on the market today are offering a great rate for just about any borrower. It does pay to shop around though when looking for a low loan rate. Just because a loan rate may look good at one bank does not mean there is not another lender who can give you an even better secured loan rate. Make sure to look at both large and small lenders and take the time to search for the best rate you can get. The best places to find a competitive bad credit loan rate from many lenders is the Internet. Online lenders offer the borrower the opportunity to get multiple quotes on a loan rate that works best for them. You will be able to find a bad credit rate that suits the amount you are borrowing. The perfect loan rate can mean the difference on how much money you actually end up spending on your loan in its lifetime.
Default
When it comes to the loan rate and the loan itself, you must always remember that this loan is no different than other loans when it comes to default. Should you be in the position of default with your loan, you will be facing repossession of whatever form of collateral you placed up in security of the loan. The bad credit loan rate will mean little in saving you money, if you are losing your home or other valuable possessions to the lender for a default status on the loan. Make sure that you pay close attention to the loan and the repayment schedule, in order to avoid any problems in the future and you will not see your credit score get worse in the process.
by Paul Rogers
There are plenty of things you can do to get yourself a bad credit loan rate. All types of loan rate starts with the borrowers credit report. The better your credit report the better the loan rate you will get. The smartest way to ensure that you will get what you want in a loan rate is to request a copy of your credit report before looking for a loan.
Quite often people have no idea that there are some mistakes or discrepancies on their credit report that are keeping them from being offered a low loan rate. If you find any type of discrepancies that can keep you from getting a low loan rate, fix them prior to applying for your loan. Another easy way to boost your credit score and get a great loan rate is to pay off 20% of the balance of all your credit card bills. Credit cards can make your credit score lower when they have a balance on them.
Where To Look
There are plenty of places you can look to find a bad credit loan rate that will work for you. All the lenders out there on the market today are offering a great rate for just about any borrower. It does pay to shop around though when looking for a low loan rate. Just because a loan rate may look good at one bank does not mean there is not another lender who can give you an even better secured loan rate. Make sure to look at both large and small lenders and take the time to search for the best rate you can get. The best places to find a competitive bad credit loan rate from many lenders is the Internet. Online lenders offer the borrower the opportunity to get multiple quotes on a loan rate that works best for them. You will be able to find a bad credit rate that suits the amount you are borrowing. The perfect loan rate can mean the difference on how much money you actually end up spending on your loan in its lifetime.
Default
When it comes to the loan rate and the loan itself, you must always remember that this loan is no different than other loans when it comes to default. Should you be in the position of default with your loan, you will be facing repossession of whatever form of collateral you placed up in security of the loan. The bad credit loan rate will mean little in saving you money, if you are losing your home or other valuable possessions to the lender for a default status on the loan. Make sure that you pay close attention to the loan and the repayment schedule, in order to avoid any problems in the future and you will not see your credit score get worse in the process.
วันเสาร์ที่ 15 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Consider a Credit Debt Consolidation Loan
Consider a Credit Debt Consolidation Loan
by Janice Banker
Many people in the US today are experiencing some degree of financial trouble. This is most often a result of expenses incurred by using credit cards. These cards are easily issued with the possibility of paying a low installment of the outstanding balance. As the payment is made, more debt is charged to card and interest is accrued on the leftover balance. This debt growth is so subtle that many have no idea how deeply indebted they are until they sit down to analyze their situation.
The best way to climb out of this seemingly bottomless pit is the credit debt consolidation loan. This loan offers a viable way to pay your bills, and also the means to cut down the interest rates that are charged to the outstanding balance.
How the Credit Debt Consolidation Loan Works
The credit debt consolidation loan will become the only loan you owe. The monthly payments will be as affordable as possible leaving you with enough spare income to manage your monthly expenses comfortably. It will pay all of your outstanding bills and free you of the high interest liabilities you have. At the same time, it will reduce your monthly repayment bills to a tiny fraction of what they were before your debts were consolidated.
Providing collateral will secure the loan with extremely low interest rates (much lower than what an unsecured loan would offer) making the proposition even more attractive. However, any deviation from the payment schedule may result in your forfeiting the collateral to the lender. Make certain you are able to uphold your end of the deal.
Where to get Advice
Most consolidation loan agencies offer free advice. Make sure you visit a few of them before you make up your mind on the terms and conditions that you want on a credit debt consolidation loan. Don't be afraid to ask questions and bargain for better terms (longer period of repayment, lesser amount of monthly installment, lower interest rates, etc). Aim for total satisfaction and do not rest until you get it.
by Janice Banker
Many people in the US today are experiencing some degree of financial trouble. This is most often a result of expenses incurred by using credit cards. These cards are easily issued with the possibility of paying a low installment of the outstanding balance. As the payment is made, more debt is charged to card and interest is accrued on the leftover balance. This debt growth is so subtle that many have no idea how deeply indebted they are until they sit down to analyze their situation.
The best way to climb out of this seemingly bottomless pit is the credit debt consolidation loan. This loan offers a viable way to pay your bills, and also the means to cut down the interest rates that are charged to the outstanding balance.
How the Credit Debt Consolidation Loan Works
The credit debt consolidation loan will become the only loan you owe. The monthly payments will be as affordable as possible leaving you with enough spare income to manage your monthly expenses comfortably. It will pay all of your outstanding bills and free you of the high interest liabilities you have. At the same time, it will reduce your monthly repayment bills to a tiny fraction of what they were before your debts were consolidated.
Providing collateral will secure the loan with extremely low interest rates (much lower than what an unsecured loan would offer) making the proposition even more attractive. However, any deviation from the payment schedule may result in your forfeiting the collateral to the lender. Make certain you are able to uphold your end of the deal.
Where to get Advice
Most consolidation loan agencies offer free advice. Make sure you visit a few of them before you make up your mind on the terms and conditions that you want on a credit debt consolidation loan. Don't be afraid to ask questions and bargain for better terms (longer period of repayment, lesser amount of monthly installment, lower interest rates, etc). Aim for total satisfaction and do not rest until you get it.
Teenagers and Credit Cards
Teenagers and Credit Cards
by Garth Brady
As teenagers prepare to go off to school, many parents consider providing them with a credit card. This is most often done with the understanding that the card is to be used for emergencies. While many students are very responsible and use the credit card as intended, some students define an emergency differently than their parents.
Defining an Emergency
There are all types of emergency situations where a credit card would be needed. A medical or dental situation where payment is required upfront would definitely be too expensive to use pocket cash. Suppose the teen's automobile breaks down, or he is stranded somewhere with no way home, a credit card would come in quite handy. A neighbor could inadvertently start a fire and the teen is burned out of an apartment, needing to pay for a place to stay or to buy food. These situations may sound harsh, but that should be the tone around the use of a credit card.
Text books can be very expensive and may be considered an emergency purchase. But magazine subscriptions, adult chat lines, 1-900 horoscope phone numbers, and HBO on Demand are not. Theater or concert tickets and cell phone bills are not emergencies. Paying for a cell phone may be acceptable. However, putting all your friends expenses on your credit card because they promised to pay you back is absolutely not.
Don't Apply
Many stores or financial institutions offer enticements such as discounts or prizes when someone fills out an application. Many teens fill out a credit card application to "get 10% off all purchases that day" without completely reading the terms and conditions. The company must be contacted in writing and by phone if they don't plan to use the credit card in the future. Monthly charges may continue to accrue (including late payments for monthly charges) whether or not the card is used. This can cause credit hassles later on if they just ignore the notices of payments due.
What Good is a Credit Card?
Creating and maintaining a good credit record is important. It is not a status symbol and no longer a means of having more stuff than the next person. Having a high credit score affects everything from the amount of interest charged on the credit card and having the option to finance larger items to things as simple as being able to rent a car. Use a credit card wisely, and make sure you teach your teenagers the same.
by Garth Brady
As teenagers prepare to go off to school, many parents consider providing them with a credit card. This is most often done with the understanding that the card is to be used for emergencies. While many students are very responsible and use the credit card as intended, some students define an emergency differently than their parents.
Defining an Emergency
There are all types of emergency situations where a credit card would be needed. A medical or dental situation where payment is required upfront would definitely be too expensive to use pocket cash. Suppose the teen's automobile breaks down, or he is stranded somewhere with no way home, a credit card would come in quite handy. A neighbor could inadvertently start a fire and the teen is burned out of an apartment, needing to pay for a place to stay or to buy food. These situations may sound harsh, but that should be the tone around the use of a credit card.
Text books can be very expensive and may be considered an emergency purchase. But magazine subscriptions, adult chat lines, 1-900 horoscope phone numbers, and HBO on Demand are not. Theater or concert tickets and cell phone bills are not emergencies. Paying for a cell phone may be acceptable. However, putting all your friends expenses on your credit card because they promised to pay you back is absolutely not.
Don't Apply
Many stores or financial institutions offer enticements such as discounts or prizes when someone fills out an application. Many teens fill out a credit card application to "get 10% off all purchases that day" without completely reading the terms and conditions. The company must be contacted in writing and by phone if they don't plan to use the credit card in the future. Monthly charges may continue to accrue (including late payments for monthly charges) whether or not the card is used. This can cause credit hassles later on if they just ignore the notices of payments due.
What Good is a Credit Card?
Creating and maintaining a good credit record is important. It is not a status symbol and no longer a means of having more stuff than the next person. Having a high credit score affects everything from the amount of interest charged on the credit card and having the option to finance larger items to things as simple as being able to rent a car. Use a credit card wisely, and make sure you teach your teenagers the same.
Credit Card Data Encryption: Getting Started
Credit Card Data Encryption: Getting Started
by Andy Eliason
Credit card data encryption is one of the basics of PCI DSS compliance. In recent years more and more attention has been directed at the need for increased data security. The general gist of the PCI DSS seems to indicate that merchants should only keep the bare minimum of data on their system In other words, only the information specifically required for business, legal, or other such needs should be kept on an internal system. And all that information must be encrypted.
And yet studies have shown that many companies are failing to implement proper credit card data encryption measures. Why is this?
It could be due to the costs and confusion associated with credit card data encryption. Proper encryption can require greater resources than normal, including processing, bandwidth, and personnel resources. When companies start calculating the costs associated with these new security measures, many of them seem to think it's worth a little risk in order to save the money and resources.
After all, they might say, sure some companies have been targeted and breached. But really, do that many companies have a problem. Surely, out of all the companies in the world, a hacker wouldn't target me.
The unfortunate truth, however, is that hackers will, in fact, target anyone. And while many businesses have trouble spending resources to fend off a possible problem, that is exactly what the PCI DSS requires you to do.
Requirement three of the PCI DSS requires you to "Protect stored cardholder data." Credit card data encryption is critical to this requirement. The idea here is that anyone who happens to bypass any or all of your other security measures will find only a series of illegible gibberish. The only way a criminal can make use of these numbers is if they get a hold of the encryption keys as well.
This brings us to another part of proper credit card data encryption: proper storage and care of encryption keys. Many of the requirements here mirror those of regular data security. For example, a merchant must restrict access to the keys to the fewest number of people possible, and they must be stored in as few places as possible. There are also requirements to make sure a merchant uses the best keys they can. A merchant must generate strong keys, securely store and transmit them, and also periodically change their encryption keys and properly dispose of old ones.
Many companies these days are choosing to outsource their data security needs. Companies that specialize in credit card data encryption can implement all the proper security measures around sensitive data and encryptions keys. By outsourcing these procedures your company can continue to run as normal with minimal interruptions.
This is a convenient solution for many businesses, but there is another requirement that needs to be accounted for. The fourth requirement of the PCI DSS mandates that you "Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks." The reasoning is simple. If a hacker cannot gain access to sensitive information on your system, they can try to intercept it in transit. Hackers can modify, delete, or divert this information and cause a lot of trouble.
Credit card data encryption, then, is required at both endpoints and in transmission. Anything less makes you a target for people with questionable motives.
As technology continues to grow, and credit card transactions continue to increase, stronger and stronger security measures are going to be required to keep information safe. And as consumers grow more weary of the risks involved with credit card transactions, these security precautions will determine whether a business can, in fact, stay in business. Consumers need to know they can trust you. And the time will come when credit card data encryption will be one of the standards they use to measure your worth.
by Andy Eliason
Credit card data encryption is one of the basics of PCI DSS compliance. In recent years more and more attention has been directed at the need for increased data security. The general gist of the PCI DSS seems to indicate that merchants should only keep the bare minimum of data on their system In other words, only the information specifically required for business, legal, or other such needs should be kept on an internal system. And all that information must be encrypted.
And yet studies have shown that many companies are failing to implement proper credit card data encryption measures. Why is this?
It could be due to the costs and confusion associated with credit card data encryption. Proper encryption can require greater resources than normal, including processing, bandwidth, and personnel resources. When companies start calculating the costs associated with these new security measures, many of them seem to think it's worth a little risk in order to save the money and resources.
After all, they might say, sure some companies have been targeted and breached. But really, do that many companies have a problem. Surely, out of all the companies in the world, a hacker wouldn't target me.
The unfortunate truth, however, is that hackers will, in fact, target anyone. And while many businesses have trouble spending resources to fend off a possible problem, that is exactly what the PCI DSS requires you to do.
Requirement three of the PCI DSS requires you to "Protect stored cardholder data." Credit card data encryption is critical to this requirement. The idea here is that anyone who happens to bypass any or all of your other security measures will find only a series of illegible gibberish. The only way a criminal can make use of these numbers is if they get a hold of the encryption keys as well.
This brings us to another part of proper credit card data encryption: proper storage and care of encryption keys. Many of the requirements here mirror those of regular data security. For example, a merchant must restrict access to the keys to the fewest number of people possible, and they must be stored in as few places as possible. There are also requirements to make sure a merchant uses the best keys they can. A merchant must generate strong keys, securely store and transmit them, and also periodically change their encryption keys and properly dispose of old ones.
Many companies these days are choosing to outsource their data security needs. Companies that specialize in credit card data encryption can implement all the proper security measures around sensitive data and encryptions keys. By outsourcing these procedures your company can continue to run as normal with minimal interruptions.
This is a convenient solution for many businesses, but there is another requirement that needs to be accounted for. The fourth requirement of the PCI DSS mandates that you "Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks." The reasoning is simple. If a hacker cannot gain access to sensitive information on your system, they can try to intercept it in transit. Hackers can modify, delete, or divert this information and cause a lot of trouble.
Credit card data encryption, then, is required at both endpoints and in transmission. Anything less makes you a target for people with questionable motives.
As technology continues to grow, and credit card transactions continue to increase, stronger and stronger security measures are going to be required to keep information safe. And as consumers grow more weary of the risks involved with credit card transactions, these security precautions will determine whether a business can, in fact, stay in business. Consumers need to know they can trust you. And the time will come when credit card data encryption will be one of the standards they use to measure your worth.
Is Remote Storage Of Credit Card Data A Valid Option?
Is Remote Storage Of Credit Card Data A Valid Option?
by Andy Eliason
The PCI DSS requires that anyone who stores, processes, or transmits sensitive credit card information must do everything they can to protect that information. This can be accomplished in-house, or the payment processing can be outsourced to another company. Which begs the question: Is remote storage of credit card data a valid option? How does it compare to storing data yourself?
The PCI DSS is made up of 12 requirements which can be broken down into more than 200 individual security controls. Some of these security measures can and/or must be taken care of by the merchant in-house. There are, however, a number of requirements that can conveniently be covered by remote storage of credit card data.
The third requirements of the PCI DSS requires simply that you "Protect cardholder data." On the surface that seems like a distressingly broad and generalized requirement. Luckily it has been divided up into more than 20 different controls to express exactly what is required by it.
Encryption is a big part of this requirement. If you are going to retain information on your system it must be encrypted. The problem here is that sometimes companies don't understand exactly how encryption works, or what, exactly, constitutes valid or sufficient security. And even when encryption techniques are properly implemented, there's a whole other set of requirements regarding the protection of encryption keys.
Remote storage of credit card data can help you alleviate this problem. When you store your information in a secure vault off-site, you are working with a company (or should be working with a company) that specializes in data encryption.
On top of that, the first control listed under the third requirement states that merchants should "Keep cardholder data to a minimum," and "limit storage amount and retention time to that which is required for business, legal, and/or regulatory purposes." This practically encourages a merchant to choose remote storage of credit card data because then someone else gets to deal with the required procedures here. And these people, if you've chosen the right company to partner with, can maintain sufficient security measures and keep this data out of the hands of criminals.
Other requirements of the PCI DSS can be satisfied with remote storage of credit card data. These include requirements seven, eight, and nine. Seven states that you must restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know. Eight requires a unique ID for anyone with computer access. And nine says that you must restrict physical access to cardholder data.
How does remote storage of credit card data help you with these requirements? Some of them are obvious. Requirements nine is simple. Physical access is completely restricted because the data is nowhere on your system. The same is applies to requirement seven. When your data is stored remotely, only very specific people will have access to the information, and, in respect to requirement number eight, they will have (or should have) an ID attached to them so activities on sensitive systems can easily be tracked.
PCI compliance can be a complex, expensive, and time consuming endeavor. As more and more consumers become weary of conducting transactions with credit cards, the PCI SSC is going to do more to ensure a safe environment that encourages consumerism. Still, many companies have opted to procrastinate implementing proper security and reaching compliance because of the complexities involved.
Remote storage of credit card data is one of the best ways to reduce those complexities and take important steps toward PCI compliance.
Above all, the most important thing to remember is that a criminal cannot steal what you don't have. Storing important data off-site means you are no longer a target for people with criminal intentions.
by Andy Eliason
The PCI DSS requires that anyone who stores, processes, or transmits sensitive credit card information must do everything they can to protect that information. This can be accomplished in-house, or the payment processing can be outsourced to another company. Which begs the question: Is remote storage of credit card data a valid option? How does it compare to storing data yourself?
The PCI DSS is made up of 12 requirements which can be broken down into more than 200 individual security controls. Some of these security measures can and/or must be taken care of by the merchant in-house. There are, however, a number of requirements that can conveniently be covered by remote storage of credit card data.
The third requirements of the PCI DSS requires simply that you "Protect cardholder data." On the surface that seems like a distressingly broad and generalized requirement. Luckily it has been divided up into more than 20 different controls to express exactly what is required by it.
Encryption is a big part of this requirement. If you are going to retain information on your system it must be encrypted. The problem here is that sometimes companies don't understand exactly how encryption works, or what, exactly, constitutes valid or sufficient security. And even when encryption techniques are properly implemented, there's a whole other set of requirements regarding the protection of encryption keys.
Remote storage of credit card data can help you alleviate this problem. When you store your information in a secure vault off-site, you are working with a company (or should be working with a company) that specializes in data encryption.
On top of that, the first control listed under the third requirement states that merchants should "Keep cardholder data to a minimum," and "limit storage amount and retention time to that which is required for business, legal, and/or regulatory purposes." This practically encourages a merchant to choose remote storage of credit card data because then someone else gets to deal with the required procedures here. And these people, if you've chosen the right company to partner with, can maintain sufficient security measures and keep this data out of the hands of criminals.
Other requirements of the PCI DSS can be satisfied with remote storage of credit card data. These include requirements seven, eight, and nine. Seven states that you must restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know. Eight requires a unique ID for anyone with computer access. And nine says that you must restrict physical access to cardholder data.
How does remote storage of credit card data help you with these requirements? Some of them are obvious. Requirements nine is simple. Physical access is completely restricted because the data is nowhere on your system. The same is applies to requirement seven. When your data is stored remotely, only very specific people will have access to the information, and, in respect to requirement number eight, they will have (or should have) an ID attached to them so activities on sensitive systems can easily be tracked.
PCI compliance can be a complex, expensive, and time consuming endeavor. As more and more consumers become weary of conducting transactions with credit cards, the PCI SSC is going to do more to ensure a safe environment that encourages consumerism. Still, many companies have opted to procrastinate implementing proper security and reaching compliance because of the complexities involved.
Remote storage of credit card data is one of the best ways to reduce those complexities and take important steps toward PCI compliance.
Above all, the most important thing to remember is that a criminal cannot steal what you don't have. Storing important data off-site means you are no longer a target for people with criminal intentions.
วันอังคารที่ 11 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Using Visa Cash back Credit Cards
Using Visa Cash back Credit Cards
by Susan Slobac
Visa cash back credit cards are great to have on hand to use because they are so widely accepted in businesses around the world. Visa took the original good idea that started with businesses and banks on strictly a local level, and over time brought that idea to a globally recognized means of making purchases.
Credit cards started out as cards that were given to buyers to be used by specific businesses. It could have been a restaurant, a fueling station, or a particular store. This worked well on a local level, and eventually associations of businesses began to spring up so that the credit card would be accepted in more places, because the associations would set the terms of the offer.
This also happened with bank credit cards. In the beginning of credit card usage, the local bank in a town would issue a credit card, which could be used around town or anywhere the bank was recognized. Eventually, associations of banks were formed, so that the credit cards could be used in a wider geographical range.
Visa cash back credit cards are what are known as bank cards, or credit cards issued by banking institutions. Visa is an association of 21,000 financial institutions. This large association, using banks from across the globe, is the basis for the reason of Visa's worldwide and widespread acceptance.
Some Visa cash back credit cardsoffer low or even zero percent annual percentage rates, also known as APR. The APR can be fixed or variable depending on the specific terms being offered, so you will want to decide which type will best meet your financial needs.
The way that cash back credit cards, including Visa cash back credit cards, work is that every time you use the cash back credit cards for purchasing eligible items or services, you are awarded points for the dollars you spend on the card. You might also be given bonus points when you use the card for a certain length of time, or after you have reached a certain predetermined milestone, such as making a first purchase with the card.
The best cash back credit cards allow you flexibility in your choice of rewards. Rewards are what you earn when you turn in your points to the credit card company to redeem them. They might be available for airline miles, hotel stays, rental cars, gift cards, rebates on gasoline, or you could be given a discount off your yearly interest charges if you carry a balance on your card.
What might be the best cash back credit cards for you will depend on where and how often you shop, whether or not you carry a balance over from month to month, as well as the APR being offered, and the amount of fees the credit card company charges for using the card. Visa cash back credit cards offer a wide variety of terms and rewards, so you will be able to find a card that will meet your needs well
by Susan Slobac
Visa cash back credit cards are great to have on hand to use because they are so widely accepted in businesses around the world. Visa took the original good idea that started with businesses and banks on strictly a local level, and over time brought that idea to a globally recognized means of making purchases.
Credit cards started out as cards that were given to buyers to be used by specific businesses. It could have been a restaurant, a fueling station, or a particular store. This worked well on a local level, and eventually associations of businesses began to spring up so that the credit card would be accepted in more places, because the associations would set the terms of the offer.
This also happened with bank credit cards. In the beginning of credit card usage, the local bank in a town would issue a credit card, which could be used around town or anywhere the bank was recognized. Eventually, associations of banks were formed, so that the credit cards could be used in a wider geographical range.
Visa cash back credit cards are what are known as bank cards, or credit cards issued by banking institutions. Visa is an association of 21,000 financial institutions. This large association, using banks from across the globe, is the basis for the reason of Visa's worldwide and widespread acceptance.
Some Visa cash back credit cardsoffer low or even zero percent annual percentage rates, also known as APR. The APR can be fixed or variable depending on the specific terms being offered, so you will want to decide which type will best meet your financial needs.
The way that cash back credit cards, including Visa cash back credit cards, work is that every time you use the cash back credit cards for purchasing eligible items or services, you are awarded points for the dollars you spend on the card. You might also be given bonus points when you use the card for a certain length of time, or after you have reached a certain predetermined milestone, such as making a first purchase with the card.
The best cash back credit cards allow you flexibility in your choice of rewards. Rewards are what you earn when you turn in your points to the credit card company to redeem them. They might be available for airline miles, hotel stays, rental cars, gift cards, rebates on gasoline, or you could be given a discount off your yearly interest charges if you carry a balance on your card.
What might be the best cash back credit cards for you will depend on where and how often you shop, whether or not you carry a balance over from month to month, as well as the APR being offered, and the amount of fees the credit card company charges for using the card. Visa cash back credit cards offer a wide variety of terms and rewards, so you will be able to find a card that will meet your needs well
วันจันทร์ที่ 10 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Benefits Of Airline Credit Cards
Benefits Of Airline Credit Cards
by Vincent Abrugar
A large number of major credit cards offer specialized cards, one of which is the airline credit card. This type of credit card, some of which are sponsored by an airline, provides frequent flier bonuses and a mileage program for its users. The use of airline credit cards may provide card owners many benefits, the most common of which is flying for free by accumulating airline miles.
Airline credit cards can be most beneficial to individuals who spend a lot and also travel a lot. If you are thinking of acquiring an airline credit card, you may want to choose one that is affiliated with a specific airline you typically fly with, this way you can maximize the benefits of your airline credit card.
The Different Types of Airline Credit Cards
There are several types of airline credit cards, providing credit card users options when choosing this type of card. The main types of airline credit cards are:
Air Miles
The air miles card allows its users to generate a certain number of miles for every purchase made with the card. For example, the Northwest Visa card allows card owners to earn one mile per 2$ (USD) purchase spent beyond the initial amount of 10,000$. Different credit card companies offer different schemes in earning air miles; however, the use of the air miles card revolves around the general principle that the more you use your air miles card, the more miles you earn.
Frequent Flyer Miles
Frequent Flyer Miles Cards allow its users to earn frequent flyer miles on a specific airline or an airline of your choosing, depending on the terms of the credit card. This usually means you will have to pay for your airline tickets using your credit card to earn frequent flyer miles. This type of credit card may also provide a rewards point system, allowing its users to accumulate more points every time the card is used to pay for airline tickets.
Rewards Card
Rewards cards are those that offer its users the option of earning points for all purchases made using the credit card. These points, in turn, may then be used to redeem benefits such as vacation cruises, gift certificates, discounted rates in hotels and car rental services, and maybe even free hotel accommodations. This type of card also works the same way as the air miles - the more you spend using the card, the more points you earn, and the better rewards you can redeem.
Benefits of Airline Credit Cards
An airline credit card owner can enjoy many perks and benefit by using his airline credit card wisely. A few of these great benefits include:
* Saving cash when paying for flights * Getting airline discounts such as miles * Getting special offers on flights * Availing of airline bonus and promotional schemes * Acquiring gift certificates for major retail stores * The option to upgrade flight tickets using the airline credit card * Getting access to VIP airport lounge areas * Free or discounted travel services such as hotel accommodations and car rentals
Aside from these generic benefits, airline credit card owners may also avail of other card benefits such as insurance for travel accidents, emergency assistance services, and insurance for car rentals.
These are all great benefits when using an airline credit card, however, you should always understand how the system works before jumping in and spending left and right. In choosing a card, you should also opt for one that provides the most flexible travel dates and has no expiry or limit on the miles earned. Remember, choose a card that suits your needs and one that will work best for you.
by Vincent Abrugar
A large number of major credit cards offer specialized cards, one of which is the airline credit card. This type of credit card, some of which are sponsored by an airline, provides frequent flier bonuses and a mileage program for its users. The use of airline credit cards may provide card owners many benefits, the most common of which is flying for free by accumulating airline miles.
Airline credit cards can be most beneficial to individuals who spend a lot and also travel a lot. If you are thinking of acquiring an airline credit card, you may want to choose one that is affiliated with a specific airline you typically fly with, this way you can maximize the benefits of your airline credit card.
The Different Types of Airline Credit Cards
There are several types of airline credit cards, providing credit card users options when choosing this type of card. The main types of airline credit cards are:
Air Miles
The air miles card allows its users to generate a certain number of miles for every purchase made with the card. For example, the Northwest Visa card allows card owners to earn one mile per 2$ (USD) purchase spent beyond the initial amount of 10,000$. Different credit card companies offer different schemes in earning air miles; however, the use of the air miles card revolves around the general principle that the more you use your air miles card, the more miles you earn.
Frequent Flyer Miles
Frequent Flyer Miles Cards allow its users to earn frequent flyer miles on a specific airline or an airline of your choosing, depending on the terms of the credit card. This usually means you will have to pay for your airline tickets using your credit card to earn frequent flyer miles. This type of credit card may also provide a rewards point system, allowing its users to accumulate more points every time the card is used to pay for airline tickets.
Rewards Card
Rewards cards are those that offer its users the option of earning points for all purchases made using the credit card. These points, in turn, may then be used to redeem benefits such as vacation cruises, gift certificates, discounted rates in hotels and car rental services, and maybe even free hotel accommodations. This type of card also works the same way as the air miles - the more you spend using the card, the more points you earn, and the better rewards you can redeem.
Benefits of Airline Credit Cards
An airline credit card owner can enjoy many perks and benefit by using his airline credit card wisely. A few of these great benefits include:
* Saving cash when paying for flights * Getting airline discounts such as miles * Getting special offers on flights * Availing of airline bonus and promotional schemes * Acquiring gift certificates for major retail stores * The option to upgrade flight tickets using the airline credit card * Getting access to VIP airport lounge areas * Free or discounted travel services such as hotel accommodations and car rentals
Aside from these generic benefits, airline credit card owners may also avail of other card benefits such as insurance for travel accidents, emergency assistance services, and insurance for car rentals.
These are all great benefits when using an airline credit card, however, you should always understand how the system works before jumping in and spending left and right. In choosing a card, you should also opt for one that provides the most flexible travel dates and has no expiry or limit on the miles earned. Remember, choose a card that suits your needs and one that will work best for you.
The Online Credit Card Application Process
The Online Credit Card Application Process
by Vincent Abrugar
So, you have decided to join the millions of consumers all over the world and apply for a credit card. With credit cards becoming a major factor in our way of life, a lot of people are looking to get credit cards as a way to increase their spending power; however, not everyone knows where to start or how to go about the credit card application process. If you are one of these people, then you should try applying for a credit card online.
With the internet, anything and everything can be accessible through your computer from the comfort of your own home. You can make purchases, pay your bills, buy airline tickets, and yes - apply for credit cards online.
Here is the typical flow of the online credit card application process:
* Start off by deciding which credit card company you want to avail the credit card from. If you feel overwhelmed with the wide variety of credit card choices, try checking out websites that provide assistance and comparisons on credit cards.
* Pick a type of card that suits you - be it a gold card, a basic credit card, an airline credit card or whatnot - find one that best fits your needs.
* Once you have decided on which credit card company and on what type of card you want, go to the credit card company's website. Look for the Apply Online link, banner, or image. These Apply Online links are usually placed prominently on the website and are generally very easy to spot.
* Upon clicking the link, you will usually be redirected to an online form. Fill out the form, giving all of the required information and submit.
* If the card company requires that you submit financial documents to aid in assessing your credit rating, do so. Scan copies of the required documents and fax them to the number provided or send them to the email address given by the credit card company.
* You can then sit back and wait for feedback.
You will most likely hear from a representative of the credit card company within a few days. These calls are usually done to verify the information you have given them. You may also be asked to clarify some of the data you have provided and may also be required to present additional documents.
Most credit cards, when applied for online, have speedy processing times. There are even some credit cards that are approved instantly when applied for online. There are times, however, when you will get turned down. Credit card approvals or rejections are usually done via mail. If you have received a rejection letter, go over the letter carefully and determine why your application was denied. If the reason for denial isn't clearly stated, feel free to call the company to clarify.
Denials may be caused by a faulty report from a credit bureau - if this is the reason for the denial of your application, then you may still contact the bureau and the credit card company and ask for reconsideration. If however, it is determined that a poor credit rating has caused the denial, then an improvement in your spending habits will definitely help when you next apply for a credit card. It is recommended that you wait for at least six months before applying for another credit card as a denial will be reflected on credit reports.
by Vincent Abrugar
So, you have decided to join the millions of consumers all over the world and apply for a credit card. With credit cards becoming a major factor in our way of life, a lot of people are looking to get credit cards as a way to increase their spending power; however, not everyone knows where to start or how to go about the credit card application process. If you are one of these people, then you should try applying for a credit card online.
With the internet, anything and everything can be accessible through your computer from the comfort of your own home. You can make purchases, pay your bills, buy airline tickets, and yes - apply for credit cards online.
Here is the typical flow of the online credit card application process:
* Start off by deciding which credit card company you want to avail the credit card from. If you feel overwhelmed with the wide variety of credit card choices, try checking out websites that provide assistance and comparisons on credit cards.
* Pick a type of card that suits you - be it a gold card, a basic credit card, an airline credit card or whatnot - find one that best fits your needs.
* Once you have decided on which credit card company and on what type of card you want, go to the credit card company's website. Look for the Apply Online link, banner, or image. These Apply Online links are usually placed prominently on the website and are generally very easy to spot.
* Upon clicking the link, you will usually be redirected to an online form. Fill out the form, giving all of the required information and submit.
* If the card company requires that you submit financial documents to aid in assessing your credit rating, do so. Scan copies of the required documents and fax them to the number provided or send them to the email address given by the credit card company.
* You can then sit back and wait for feedback.
You will most likely hear from a representative of the credit card company within a few days. These calls are usually done to verify the information you have given them. You may also be asked to clarify some of the data you have provided and may also be required to present additional documents.
Most credit cards, when applied for online, have speedy processing times. There are even some credit cards that are approved instantly when applied for online. There are times, however, when you will get turned down. Credit card approvals or rejections are usually done via mail. If you have received a rejection letter, go over the letter carefully and determine why your application was denied. If the reason for denial isn't clearly stated, feel free to call the company to clarify.
Denials may be caused by a faulty report from a credit bureau - if this is the reason for the denial of your application, then you may still contact the bureau and the credit card company and ask for reconsideration. If however, it is determined that a poor credit rating has caused the denial, then an improvement in your spending habits will definitely help when you next apply for a credit card. It is recommended that you wait for at least six months before applying for another credit card as a denial will be reflected on credit reports.
วันเสาร์ที่ 8 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Benefits Of Chase Credit Cards
Benefits Of Chase Credit Cards
by David Smythe
The advent of credit cards has changed how business is being conducted in the world today. In fact, credits cards have shed off its "luxury" title and it has now almost become a necessity for everybody. Card issuing companies mushroomed to fill in the need. One example of the plastic suppliers is Chase of JPMorgan group.
Each person has different expectations and therefore, credit companies have created various categories of plastic money. There is a great variety in the Chase credit cards: the general purpose card, the business credit card, student cards, college and university alumni cards, rebate cards for habitual shoppers, entertainment cards, travel cards, auto and gas cards, military cards, sports cards and finally, cards to sustain organizations.
Let us now show you the characteristics of the various credit cards. This can represent an important guide for the clients who are searching for the category that suits their requests. The main aim of the affinity cards is to offer clients different great advantages and services. If you often buy from the same traders or retailers you can get cash rewards and rebates by using rebate credit cards. This is for sure a great proposal when your business implies habitual shopping for your needs.
Chase entertainment cards provide opportunities for customers to VIP access during concerts, and other special events. The plastic cards for travelers offer travel-related discounts and benefits for the card holders. If you travel frequently, this is the best option for you. You can enjoy travelling and avail of benefits at the same time.
To continue with, the credit cards for auto and gas expenses offer clients rewards and rebates on their daily acquisitions. Everybody has to travel from their houses to their workplaces or any other place they want to visit. This means costs that simply cannot be avoided. The retail credit card represents another class in which clients are provided certain corresponding points for acquisitions they make with the Chase credit card. Shortly, the more acquisitions you make, the more reward points you have.
Entertainment, shopping certificates, and other benefits all of this could be easily achieved if you choose to exchange your points for them. Chase cards also fill the needs of students, through the student cards. This is a good way for students to guide them through the world of plastic money and in the same time build a good credit history.
Cards that are designed to support organizations and college and university alumni cards are also to be found. Military plastic money has been availed for the retired and current serving members. The company has also made available business cards which can be used with low interest rates by the business establishments and merchant outlets and come with their own benefits, too.
Finally, chase credit cards have proved to be capable enough to fulfill every citizen's needs. All that customers have to do is to opt for that category which suits their lifestyle best.
by David Smythe
The advent of credit cards has changed how business is being conducted in the world today. In fact, credits cards have shed off its "luxury" title and it has now almost become a necessity for everybody. Card issuing companies mushroomed to fill in the need. One example of the plastic suppliers is Chase of JPMorgan group.
Each person has different expectations and therefore, credit companies have created various categories of plastic money. There is a great variety in the Chase credit cards: the general purpose card, the business credit card, student cards, college and university alumni cards, rebate cards for habitual shoppers, entertainment cards, travel cards, auto and gas cards, military cards, sports cards and finally, cards to sustain organizations.
Let us now show you the characteristics of the various credit cards. This can represent an important guide for the clients who are searching for the category that suits their requests. The main aim of the affinity cards is to offer clients different great advantages and services. If you often buy from the same traders or retailers you can get cash rewards and rebates by using rebate credit cards. This is for sure a great proposal when your business implies habitual shopping for your needs.
Chase entertainment cards provide opportunities for customers to VIP access during concerts, and other special events. The plastic cards for travelers offer travel-related discounts and benefits for the card holders. If you travel frequently, this is the best option for you. You can enjoy travelling and avail of benefits at the same time.
To continue with, the credit cards for auto and gas expenses offer clients rewards and rebates on their daily acquisitions. Everybody has to travel from their houses to their workplaces or any other place they want to visit. This means costs that simply cannot be avoided. The retail credit card represents another class in which clients are provided certain corresponding points for acquisitions they make with the Chase credit card. Shortly, the more acquisitions you make, the more reward points you have.
Entertainment, shopping certificates, and other benefits all of this could be easily achieved if you choose to exchange your points for them. Chase cards also fill the needs of students, through the student cards. This is a good way for students to guide them through the world of plastic money and in the same time build a good credit history.
Cards that are designed to support organizations and college and university alumni cards are also to be found. Military plastic money has been availed for the retired and current serving members. The company has also made available business cards which can be used with low interest rates by the business establishments and merchant outlets and come with their own benefits, too.
Finally, chase credit cards have proved to be capable enough to fulfill every citizen's needs. All that customers have to do is to opt for that category which suits their lifestyle best.
Credit Card Counseling and Debt - Financial Friends
Credit Card Counseling and Debt - Financial Friends
by Michael Benifez
Drowning in debt? Do the bills continue to pile up each month and looking for a way out looks like "Mission Impossible?" Fortunately, there are solutions to living in debt. But, beware! The journey out of bill bondage is no where as much fun as the way into debt.
The road to financial problems often finds their roots grounded in plastic - the credit card. No one gave you any counsel on using it wisely, but to turn the corner you'll probably need to consolidate the credit card debt and get some credit counseling along the way.
Credit Card Counseling - What Is It?
How many times have gotten so mad at yourself for making the decision of signing up for another credit card after you vowed you would never do it again? Deep in your soul you know that each card will only drive you into more stress and depression as each billing statement arrives in the mail.
Putting a debt counseling professional on your side may be the best and most practical way for you to come face to face with your debt demons. A debt-counseling specialist can help you learn more about money, its use and assist you in establishing a debt management program.
Your counseling sessions should help you build and acquire the necessary education along with the skills needed to face buying decisions with a better debt free future as a goal. You will learn how to avoid the habits which lead to destructive spending, stop the slow paying patterns, which lead to more fees, extra charges and debt. Instead, you have a growing credit score and are transformed like a butterfly into a conscientious, responsible consumer.
Beginning Debt Counseling with Credit Card Addictions?
When you begin financial counseling program, your end game and ultimate goal is to reach the finish line of becoming debt free. This will take focus as well as a passionate drive to eliminate all of your debts. That intensity means you will take whatever steps needed to get there. You will also need to strip away the money-myths currently held since your long-term financial survival depends on getting rid believing you understand money. You are not money smart and the mounting debt shows it! Be prepared to ask questions on anything you do not understand - and ask plenty of questions. If the answer you get is still not clear or you still do not understand completely - ask the question again for your counselor to explain a second time. Do not stop until you understand.
Do not depend on the counselor alone - do your own research as well. When you "learn" something new that seems to go against your debt counselor - ask why and for a clarification.
Debt Counseling Components!
Debt consolidation may be a part of your relief package. This consolidation may include (most likely) doing some severe surgery on your credit cards. Before moving ahead ask questions and understand the potential side-effects and affects before going forward.
One important component within your credit card counseling program may be a form of debt consolidation--of which your credit card debt may be a part. Try to find out before forging ahead on this course of action what possible 'side effects' may be.
The debt recovery plan may come down to the simple fact of the credit cards will not be of any use since the cards will be forfeited.
You'll need to be the judge of how important your credit card is to you. If you are truly focused and serious about getting out of debt and relief once and for all, you'll say good-bye to your cards.
by Michael Benifez
Drowning in debt? Do the bills continue to pile up each month and looking for a way out looks like "Mission Impossible?" Fortunately, there are solutions to living in debt. But, beware! The journey out of bill bondage is no where as much fun as the way into debt.
The road to financial problems often finds their roots grounded in plastic - the credit card. No one gave you any counsel on using it wisely, but to turn the corner you'll probably need to consolidate the credit card debt and get some credit counseling along the way.
Credit Card Counseling - What Is It?
How many times have gotten so mad at yourself for making the decision of signing up for another credit card after you vowed you would never do it again? Deep in your soul you know that each card will only drive you into more stress and depression as each billing statement arrives in the mail.
Putting a debt counseling professional on your side may be the best and most practical way for you to come face to face with your debt demons. A debt-counseling specialist can help you learn more about money, its use and assist you in establishing a debt management program.
Your counseling sessions should help you build and acquire the necessary education along with the skills needed to face buying decisions with a better debt free future as a goal. You will learn how to avoid the habits which lead to destructive spending, stop the slow paying patterns, which lead to more fees, extra charges and debt. Instead, you have a growing credit score and are transformed like a butterfly into a conscientious, responsible consumer.
Beginning Debt Counseling with Credit Card Addictions?
When you begin financial counseling program, your end game and ultimate goal is to reach the finish line of becoming debt free. This will take focus as well as a passionate drive to eliminate all of your debts. That intensity means you will take whatever steps needed to get there. You will also need to strip away the money-myths currently held since your long-term financial survival depends on getting rid believing you understand money. You are not money smart and the mounting debt shows it! Be prepared to ask questions on anything you do not understand - and ask plenty of questions. If the answer you get is still not clear or you still do not understand completely - ask the question again for your counselor to explain a second time. Do not stop until you understand.
Do not depend on the counselor alone - do your own research as well. When you "learn" something new that seems to go against your debt counselor - ask why and for a clarification.
Debt Counseling Components!
Debt consolidation may be a part of your relief package. This consolidation may include (most likely) doing some severe surgery on your credit cards. Before moving ahead ask questions and understand the potential side-effects and affects before going forward.
One important component within your credit card counseling program may be a form of debt consolidation--of which your credit card debt may be a part. Try to find out before forging ahead on this course of action what possible 'side effects' may be.
The debt recovery plan may come down to the simple fact of the credit cards will not be of any use since the cards will be forfeited.
You'll need to be the judge of how important your credit card is to you. If you are truly focused and serious about getting out of debt and relief once and for all, you'll say good-bye to your cards.
Business Credit Cards Can Help Manage Business Expenses
Business Credit Cards Can Help Manage Business Expenses
by David Smythe
When you are the owner of a business place, a business credit card will help you more than once in many different situations; but, on this purpose,you have to know which are its abilities and how it is functioning in order to enjoy the results. So, the generality that everyone knows is that a business credit card is owned just by a business establishment, not by a person.
The card works like an individually-owned card but it has a few exceptions. This includes availing of lower APR, more flexibility in the credit limit, and some benefits that are not enjoyed by individual bank card holders. Business establishments can benefit greatly from using this kind of plastic because it would make the monthly routine and burden of business expense accounting flow more smoothly. This is the advantage and big benefit businessmen can get from using a business credit card.
All an establishment or a merchant outlet needs to do is just segregate its business expenses from its personal expenses. This is made easy by using a business bank card. This is very applicable to small businesses because there is always a need to separate your personal transactions from transactions related to your business.
The secret is that the card supplier can do things for you. They will separate the receipts from the expenses, which will definitely leave you more time, since you do not have to do it yourself and fight with piles of envelopes.
Using a business credit card helps the business establishments meet their specific accounting needs. You just need to search for the right card supplier because some of them even extended their services to clients by providing their credit bills in a format that you can easily download and export to your business accounting system.
This cannot be anything else than a real blessing because you will not have to order the date yourself, but you have it already arranged. Just imagine that you will not save only time by using this extraordinary business credit card, but also effort. Even if there may appear an incompatibility between the downloadable format and your accounting system, do not be afraid of it, because you will find some professional software which can get you rid of this problem when providing you a program that will certainly solve the matter and transfer the initial format into a suitable one. Now you can be glad because the small amount of money you need to hire such software professional cannot rise at the standards of a business credit card good work.
If you want your business to be good, and especially if you are thinking of expanding it, you must take advantage from the business credit card offers, which will make all your system run much easier and smoother. The time you will have can be invested in finding new ideas for your business.
Not to mention the whole amount of advantages that can come to you effortless by using the business credit card, more easily and in a more comfortable way than for the individual credit cards. You can enjoy this increase of you income and of the quality of your business, and you life, too.
by David Smythe
When you are the owner of a business place, a business credit card will help you more than once in many different situations; but, on this purpose,you have to know which are its abilities and how it is functioning in order to enjoy the results. So, the generality that everyone knows is that a business credit card is owned just by a business establishment, not by a person.
The card works like an individually-owned card but it has a few exceptions. This includes availing of lower APR, more flexibility in the credit limit, and some benefits that are not enjoyed by individual bank card holders. Business establishments can benefit greatly from using this kind of plastic because it would make the monthly routine and burden of business expense accounting flow more smoothly. This is the advantage and big benefit businessmen can get from using a business credit card.
All an establishment or a merchant outlet needs to do is just segregate its business expenses from its personal expenses. This is made easy by using a business bank card. This is very applicable to small businesses because there is always a need to separate your personal transactions from transactions related to your business.
The secret is that the card supplier can do things for you. They will separate the receipts from the expenses, which will definitely leave you more time, since you do not have to do it yourself and fight with piles of envelopes.
Using a business credit card helps the business establishments meet their specific accounting needs. You just need to search for the right card supplier because some of them even extended their services to clients by providing their credit bills in a format that you can easily download and export to your business accounting system.
This cannot be anything else than a real blessing because you will not have to order the date yourself, but you have it already arranged. Just imagine that you will not save only time by using this extraordinary business credit card, but also effort. Even if there may appear an incompatibility between the downloadable format and your accounting system, do not be afraid of it, because you will find some professional software which can get you rid of this problem when providing you a program that will certainly solve the matter and transfer the initial format into a suitable one. Now you can be glad because the small amount of money you need to hire such software professional cannot rise at the standards of a business credit card good work.
If you want your business to be good, and especially if you are thinking of expanding it, you must take advantage from the business credit card offers, which will make all your system run much easier and smoother. The time you will have can be invested in finding new ideas for your business.
Not to mention the whole amount of advantages that can come to you effortless by using the business credit card, more easily and in a more comfortable way than for the individual credit cards. You can enjoy this increase of you income and of the quality of your business, and you life, too.
The Credit Card Debt Pay Off
The Credit Card Debt Pay Off
by E.S. Cromwell
There's a difference between taking control of your finances and letting your finances take control of you. The results vary, of course, but when finances - particularly financing involving credit cards - are taking control over an individual, debt is the awful and too familiar end result. Yet, at the same time and conversely so, one of the most tangible financial issues anyone can easily take complete control of, conquer and even, dare I say it, pay off, despite popular belief, are substantial amounts of credit card debt.
Don't Get Caught Up and Give Up
The worst thing a credit card indebted individual can do is get overwhelmed by their credit card debt, subsequently leaving it to sit and linger. This is major financial mistake number one; do not sit on credit card debt. You're not a hen and your debt is not an egg. Leaving credit card debt to stay stagnant and hence, accrue interest, is blocking off a clear path to future life options, particularly ones calling for polished financial standing. Financial goals such as buying a car or even owning a home could be jeopardized if credit card debt is not dealt with immediately and in a well-done manner. Bad credit means difficulty for anyone seeking upcoming and monumental purchases.
Doing Well Means Getting Organized
Firstly, you must get your, well...stuff together. Despite the mess, gather all the credit card information and place it down on a table, a big, long table. You must then be prepared to tally the necessary information needed to see just how bad a credit card debt scenario is. Take note of balances due, the actual due dates and the payment amounts required (both minimum and higher payment options).
Factor in if you have multiple balances -like most individuals do- on different cards. What are the balances like? Are there a few smaller balances and one large balance, or vice versa? If so in either case, then you might be in need of some consolidating, simply to make some sort of headway on those due credit card payments.
Making headway on payments though, can be a curious event, simply because there are numerous options one can take. Regardless of which option is selected in the end, some progress is assuredly being made in lessening your debt.
Highest APR Balance Pay Off Option
This makes the most monetary sense, paying off the credit card balance with the interest rate which hurts the most, financially speaking. Take all your multiple balances and pay off the one with the highest APR rate first. Do this until the highest balance is paid off in full then move to the other lower interest rate balances and continue paying them off until each is erased from your financial history, not to mention, memory. Paying off balances this way will take some more money, but stick with it. A great rule of thumb to stick to is paying more than the minimum requirement, even doubling or tripling the amount (when your budget can. Holding strong to such a plan will completely eliminate credit card debt.
On The Other, More Budget-Inclined Hand
Paying off the lowest credit card balance is a great way to ease into paying off credit card debt. Doing this will take longer, yet will provide capability to gain financial endurance (not to mention responsibility), in this case, stamina, to pay off debt slowly but surely. Once the lowest balance is paid off, then it's just a matter of moving onto the next lowest and so on. Think of numbers and figures here. You've got three balances, each varying in financial weight. One is $5,000, the second $2,500 and the third $750. Clearly the third amount is the best option, especially if money is tight and financial stamina is weak and in need of strengthening.
by E.S. Cromwell
There's a difference between taking control of your finances and letting your finances take control of you. The results vary, of course, but when finances - particularly financing involving credit cards - are taking control over an individual, debt is the awful and too familiar end result. Yet, at the same time and conversely so, one of the most tangible financial issues anyone can easily take complete control of, conquer and even, dare I say it, pay off, despite popular belief, are substantial amounts of credit card debt.
Don't Get Caught Up and Give Up
The worst thing a credit card indebted individual can do is get overwhelmed by their credit card debt, subsequently leaving it to sit and linger. This is major financial mistake number one; do not sit on credit card debt. You're not a hen and your debt is not an egg. Leaving credit card debt to stay stagnant and hence, accrue interest, is blocking off a clear path to future life options, particularly ones calling for polished financial standing. Financial goals such as buying a car or even owning a home could be jeopardized if credit card debt is not dealt with immediately and in a well-done manner. Bad credit means difficulty for anyone seeking upcoming and monumental purchases.
Doing Well Means Getting Organized
Firstly, you must get your, well...stuff together. Despite the mess, gather all the credit card information and place it down on a table, a big, long table. You must then be prepared to tally the necessary information needed to see just how bad a credit card debt scenario is. Take note of balances due, the actual due dates and the payment amounts required (both minimum and higher payment options).
Factor in if you have multiple balances -like most individuals do- on different cards. What are the balances like? Are there a few smaller balances and one large balance, or vice versa? If so in either case, then you might be in need of some consolidating, simply to make some sort of headway on those due credit card payments.
Making headway on payments though, can be a curious event, simply because there are numerous options one can take. Regardless of which option is selected in the end, some progress is assuredly being made in lessening your debt.
Highest APR Balance Pay Off Option
This makes the most monetary sense, paying off the credit card balance with the interest rate which hurts the most, financially speaking. Take all your multiple balances and pay off the one with the highest APR rate first. Do this until the highest balance is paid off in full then move to the other lower interest rate balances and continue paying them off until each is erased from your financial history, not to mention, memory. Paying off balances this way will take some more money, but stick with it. A great rule of thumb to stick to is paying more than the minimum requirement, even doubling or tripling the amount (when your budget can. Holding strong to such a plan will completely eliminate credit card debt.
On The Other, More Budget-Inclined Hand
Paying off the lowest credit card balance is a great way to ease into paying off credit card debt. Doing this will take longer, yet will provide capability to gain financial endurance (not to mention responsibility), in this case, stamina, to pay off debt slowly but surely. Once the lowest balance is paid off, then it's just a matter of moving onto the next lowest and so on. Think of numbers and figures here. You've got three balances, each varying in financial weight. One is $5,000, the second $2,500 and the third $750. Clearly the third amount is the best option, especially if money is tight and financial stamina is weak and in need of strengthening.
How To Get Rich With Money Back Credit Cards
How To Get Rich With Money Back Credit Cards
by Robert Alan
Money back credit cards are a great invention. They are a way for consumers to save money on every purchase that they make by getting a percentage of the purchase back from their credit card company at the end of the billing cycle. Most consumers who have a money back credit card are satisfied with this benefit. But those consumers that are really smart with their money can actually benefit a lot more from the use of their money back credit cards.
Creating a Money Back Savings Account
The way to really get a good chunk of money from your money back credit cards is to create a savings account using the money that you get back from your purchases. Instead of just leaving that money sitting on your card, cash out and put it in a savings account at your local bank. This will allow that money to generate interest which isn't going to be the case if it's just sitting on your money back credit card. By putting the money into savings, you actually make that money useful to you.
Match your own Money Back
To really cause your savings to grow, you should challenge yourself to match your money back credit card savings each month. In other words, let's say that you spent $1000 on a card that gives you 1% back in cash. That equates to ten dollars that you've gotten from money back credit cards. You can easily find a way to pull ten dollars out of your paycheck and match that amount by adding it to your savings account. Now, just by spending money on your credit card, you've got $20 in savings. As the months go by, that's going to add up.
Getting the Right Money Back Cards
The key to making this work is to make sure that you select good money back credit cards. There are some money back credit cards which don't actually give you the cash back but instead apply it to paying off your bill. That won't benefit you in the same way. There are also cards that advertise a certain percentage back but actually give you a lower percentage if you opt for cash instead of gift cards or other rewards. Make sure that you read the terms carefully so that you get a money back credit card that is actually going to let you cash out your rewards.
Paying off the Card
Of course, none of this is really very good if you're just racking up credit card debt. In order to really make money off of money back credit cards, it's important that you pay off your balance in full each month. This lets you avoid paying money in interest rate fees and finance charges. The less money that you spend, the more money you're saving. By paying off charges as quickly as possible, you also free up the card for more expenses. The more frequently that you use money back credit cards, the more quickly that cash back is going to add up.
by Robert Alan
Money back credit cards are a great invention. They are a way for consumers to save money on every purchase that they make by getting a percentage of the purchase back from their credit card company at the end of the billing cycle. Most consumers who have a money back credit card are satisfied with this benefit. But those consumers that are really smart with their money can actually benefit a lot more from the use of their money back credit cards.
Creating a Money Back Savings Account
The way to really get a good chunk of money from your money back credit cards is to create a savings account using the money that you get back from your purchases. Instead of just leaving that money sitting on your card, cash out and put it in a savings account at your local bank. This will allow that money to generate interest which isn't going to be the case if it's just sitting on your money back credit card. By putting the money into savings, you actually make that money useful to you.
Match your own Money Back
To really cause your savings to grow, you should challenge yourself to match your money back credit card savings each month. In other words, let's say that you spent $1000 on a card that gives you 1% back in cash. That equates to ten dollars that you've gotten from money back credit cards. You can easily find a way to pull ten dollars out of your paycheck and match that amount by adding it to your savings account. Now, just by spending money on your credit card, you've got $20 in savings. As the months go by, that's going to add up.
Getting the Right Money Back Cards
The key to making this work is to make sure that you select good money back credit cards. There are some money back credit cards which don't actually give you the cash back but instead apply it to paying off your bill. That won't benefit you in the same way. There are also cards that advertise a certain percentage back but actually give you a lower percentage if you opt for cash instead of gift cards or other rewards. Make sure that you read the terms carefully so that you get a money back credit card that is actually going to let you cash out your rewards.
Paying off the Card
Of course, none of this is really very good if you're just racking up credit card debt. In order to really make money off of money back credit cards, it's important that you pay off your balance in full each month. This lets you avoid paying money in interest rate fees and finance charges. The less money that you spend, the more money you're saving. By paying off charges as quickly as possible, you also free up the card for more expenses. The more frequently that you use money back credit cards, the more quickly that cash back is going to add up.
วันอังคารที่ 4 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Consolidate Credit Card Debt
Consolidate Credit Card Debt
by Stu Barnett
We know that it's good to consolidate credit card debt (at least that is what we keep hearing from everyone). In fact, the first step towards addressing the problem of credit card debt is to consolidate credit card debt. Now, what are the steps to consolidating credit card debt? Should you just go with that attractive ad in the newspaper that says '...the lowest APR in the town is available here'?
The first thing, really, is to keep your eyes and ears open. There are always a number of offers available for you to choose from. Credit card suppliers keep coming up with new and more attractive offers asking you to consolidate your credit card debt with them. However, you must note that the APR quoted in bold, e.g. 0% APR, is applicable only for a short term (3-9 months). The long term (or the standard) APR is different. So, when you go looking for a credit card to consolidate your credit card debt to, you must be aware of these 3 things (in terms of APR)-- introductory APR, introductory APR period and the standard APR. Let's see how each one is important.
Introductory APR is probably the most attractive thing to look for when you are looking to consolidate credit card debt. If you consolidate credit card debt to a card that has a low introductory APR e.g. 0%, the first thing you get is a breather/relief in terms of the rate at which your credit card debt has been growing. Based on how long that 0% APR period is (generally you will look to consolidate credit card debt with a credit card supplier who offers 0% initial APR), you will at least be able to temporarily break the growth rate of your credit card debt. The longer the introductory period, the better it is. However, you should not ignore the standard APR when you consolidate credit card debt.
Standard APR is the interest rate that will be applied to your balance after the expiry of the introductory low APR period that was given to lure you to consolidate credit card debt with that credit card supplier. If the standard APR is too high and you know that you will not be able to clear off the entire credit card debt during the low APR period, that credit card is probably not the best for you to consolidate credit card debt to. However, if you think that you will be able to clear off the entire credit card debt during that period, you can make some compromises on the standard APR of the credit card to which you consolidate credit card debt.
The card that synchronizes with your current and future financial position (and needs), is the one you should choose to consolidate credit card debt to.
by Stu Barnett
We know that it's good to consolidate credit card debt (at least that is what we keep hearing from everyone). In fact, the first step towards addressing the problem of credit card debt is to consolidate credit card debt. Now, what are the steps to consolidating credit card debt? Should you just go with that attractive ad in the newspaper that says '...the lowest APR in the town is available here'?
The first thing, really, is to keep your eyes and ears open. There are always a number of offers available for you to choose from. Credit card suppliers keep coming up with new and more attractive offers asking you to consolidate your credit card debt with them. However, you must note that the APR quoted in bold, e.g. 0% APR, is applicable only for a short term (3-9 months). The long term (or the standard) APR is different. So, when you go looking for a credit card to consolidate your credit card debt to, you must be aware of these 3 things (in terms of APR)-- introductory APR, introductory APR period and the standard APR. Let's see how each one is important.
Introductory APR is probably the most attractive thing to look for when you are looking to consolidate credit card debt. If you consolidate credit card debt to a card that has a low introductory APR e.g. 0%, the first thing you get is a breather/relief in terms of the rate at which your credit card debt has been growing. Based on how long that 0% APR period is (generally you will look to consolidate credit card debt with a credit card supplier who offers 0% initial APR), you will at least be able to temporarily break the growth rate of your credit card debt. The longer the introductory period, the better it is. However, you should not ignore the standard APR when you consolidate credit card debt.
Standard APR is the interest rate that will be applied to your balance after the expiry of the introductory low APR period that was given to lure you to consolidate credit card debt with that credit card supplier. If the standard APR is too high and you know that you will not be able to clear off the entire credit card debt during the low APR period, that credit card is probably not the best for you to consolidate credit card debt to. However, if you think that you will be able to clear off the entire credit card debt during that period, you can make some compromises on the standard APR of the credit card to which you consolidate credit card debt.
The card that synchronizes with your current and future financial position (and needs), is the one you should choose to consolidate credit card debt to.
Business Credit Cards: A Valuable Source of Funding
Business Credit Cards: A Valuable Source of Funding
by Edward Vegliante
One of the keys to business success lies in sufficient capital: you need it to get through the fluctuating times of your small business. Business credit cards can help smooth over your financial needs. A recent survey showed that 90% of small business owners use a business credit card. Here are just a few of the many ways a business credit card can help you manage your finances.
Access to Funding. Finding sources of funding can be a challenge when starting a new business. A business credit card allows you easy access to a line of credit. The credit limit for business credit cards is usually higher than personal cards.
Many business credit cards, including the Platinum Business Credit Card from American Express and the Chase Platinum Visa ® Business Card, offer 0% APR introductory rates. These rates last for a few months, and sometimes for up to a year. This can help jumpstart your business. It allows you to make initial purchases and cover start-up costs until revenue begins to flow in. If you pay off the balance during the 0% APR period, you essentially enjoy the benefits of an interest-free loan.
Cash Flow Solutions. Besides providing initial funding, a business credit card allows you to extend cash flow. You can purchase supplies with the credit card. This way you can keep cash in the bank, rather than using it to buy goods. As you receive cash from customers and clients, you can pay off the credit card balance
While using the card, remember to pay off the balances in a timely fashion. After the introductory period, the interest rate that is used will be higher than many other loans. Also, with a business credit card, unlike a corporate one, you are personally responsible for paying off the debt. By tracking purchases and setting up a payment schedule, you can avoid running into credit card debt.
Extra Bonuses. Business credit cards offer small companies a wealth of benefits. If you want a customized touch, look for a card that will include the name of your company on it. As your business grows, you can add employee cards. Some companies let you set credit limits on employee cards and receive monthly reports on their spending.
A business credit card will help you track expenses. Monthly and annual statements show how much you have spent, and some will even categorize items. This enables you to quickly review how funds are being used.
Many business credit cards offer rewards programs. You may want to receive 5% cash back on purchases, or accumulate points that can be redeemed for travel bonuses and other rewards.
As you consider which credit card will work best for you, look at your business and its needs. A rewards program with airline miles is perfect if you travel frequently. And if you simply want more cash on hand, look for a cash back program.
Whatever you are looking for, chances are you will be able to find it in a business credit card. View your business credit card as one of the financial tools for your business. Use it as a source of funding to get started and help manage the business. Then reap the additional benefits and rewards it sends your way.
by Edward Vegliante
One of the keys to business success lies in sufficient capital: you need it to get through the fluctuating times of your small business. Business credit cards can help smooth over your financial needs. A recent survey showed that 90% of small business owners use a business credit card. Here are just a few of the many ways a business credit card can help you manage your finances.
Access to Funding. Finding sources of funding can be a challenge when starting a new business. A business credit card allows you easy access to a line of credit. The credit limit for business credit cards is usually higher than personal cards.
Many business credit cards, including the Platinum Business Credit Card from American Express and the Chase Platinum Visa ® Business Card, offer 0% APR introductory rates. These rates last for a few months, and sometimes for up to a year. This can help jumpstart your business. It allows you to make initial purchases and cover start-up costs until revenue begins to flow in. If you pay off the balance during the 0% APR period, you essentially enjoy the benefits of an interest-free loan.
Cash Flow Solutions. Besides providing initial funding, a business credit card allows you to extend cash flow. You can purchase supplies with the credit card. This way you can keep cash in the bank, rather than using it to buy goods. As you receive cash from customers and clients, you can pay off the credit card balance
While using the card, remember to pay off the balances in a timely fashion. After the introductory period, the interest rate that is used will be higher than many other loans. Also, with a business credit card, unlike a corporate one, you are personally responsible for paying off the debt. By tracking purchases and setting up a payment schedule, you can avoid running into credit card debt.
Extra Bonuses. Business credit cards offer small companies a wealth of benefits. If you want a customized touch, look for a card that will include the name of your company on it. As your business grows, you can add employee cards. Some companies let you set credit limits on employee cards and receive monthly reports on their spending.
A business credit card will help you track expenses. Monthly and annual statements show how much you have spent, and some will even categorize items. This enables you to quickly review how funds are being used.
Many business credit cards offer rewards programs. You may want to receive 5% cash back on purchases, or accumulate points that can be redeemed for travel bonuses and other rewards.
As you consider which credit card will work best for you, look at your business and its needs. A rewards program with airline miles is perfect if you travel frequently. And if you simply want more cash on hand, look for a cash back program.
Whatever you are looking for, chances are you will be able to find it in a business credit card. View your business credit card as one of the financial tools for your business. Use it as a source of funding to get started and help manage the business. Then reap the additional benefits and rewards it sends your way.
วันเสาร์ที่ 1 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
How to Get Rich with Money Back Credit Cards
How to Get Rich with Money Back Credit Cards
by Robert Alan
Money back credit cards are a great invention. They are a way for consumers to save money on every purchase that they make by getting a percentage of the purchase back from their credit card company at the end of the billing cycle. Most consumers who have a money back credit card are satisfied with this benefit. But those consumers that are really smart with their money can actually benefit a lot more from the use of their money back credit cards.
Creating a Money Back Savings Account
The way to really get a good chunk of money from your money back credit cards is to create a savings account using the money that you get back from your purchases. Instead of just leaving that money sitting on your card, cash out and put it in a savings account at your local bank. This will allow that money to generate interest which isn't going to be the case if it's just sitting on your money back credit card. By putting the money into savings, you actually make that money useful to you.
Match your own Money Back
To really cause your savings to grow, you should challenge yourself to match your money back credit card savings each month. In other words, let's say that you spent $1000 on a card that gives you 1% back in cash. That equates to ten dollars that you've gotten from money back credit cards. You can easily find a way to pull ten dollars out of your paycheck and match that amount by adding it to your savings account. Now, just by spending money on your credit card, you've got $20 in savings. As the months go by, that's going to add up.
Getting the Right Money Back Cards
The key to making this work is to make sure that you select good money back credit cards. There are some money back credit cards which don't actually give you the cash back but instead apply it to paying off your bill. That won't benefit you in the same way. There are also cards that advertise a certain percentage back but actually give you a lower percentage if you opt for cash instead of gift cards or other rewards. Make sure that you read the terms carefully so that you get a money back credit card that is actually going to let you cash out your rewards.
Paying off the Card
Of course, none of this is really very good if you're just racking up credit card debt. In order to really make money off of money back credit cards, it's important that you pay off your balance in full each month. This lets you avoid paying money in interest rate fees and finance charges. The less money that you spend, the more money you're saving. By paying off charges as quickly as possible, you also free up the card for more expenses. The more frequently that you use money back credit cards, the more quickly that cash back is going to add up.
by Robert Alan
Money back credit cards are a great invention. They are a way for consumers to save money on every purchase that they make by getting a percentage of the purchase back from their credit card company at the end of the billing cycle. Most consumers who have a money back credit card are satisfied with this benefit. But those consumers that are really smart with their money can actually benefit a lot more from the use of their money back credit cards.
Creating a Money Back Savings Account
The way to really get a good chunk of money from your money back credit cards is to create a savings account using the money that you get back from your purchases. Instead of just leaving that money sitting on your card, cash out and put it in a savings account at your local bank. This will allow that money to generate interest which isn't going to be the case if it's just sitting on your money back credit card. By putting the money into savings, you actually make that money useful to you.
Match your own Money Back
To really cause your savings to grow, you should challenge yourself to match your money back credit card savings each month. In other words, let's say that you spent $1000 on a card that gives you 1% back in cash. That equates to ten dollars that you've gotten from money back credit cards. You can easily find a way to pull ten dollars out of your paycheck and match that amount by adding it to your savings account. Now, just by spending money on your credit card, you've got $20 in savings. As the months go by, that's going to add up.
Getting the Right Money Back Cards
The key to making this work is to make sure that you select good money back credit cards. There are some money back credit cards which don't actually give you the cash back but instead apply it to paying off your bill. That won't benefit you in the same way. There are also cards that advertise a certain percentage back but actually give you a lower percentage if you opt for cash instead of gift cards or other rewards. Make sure that you read the terms carefully so that you get a money back credit card that is actually going to let you cash out your rewards.
Paying off the Card
Of course, none of this is really very good if you're just racking up credit card debt. In order to really make money off of money back credit cards, it's important that you pay off your balance in full each month. This lets you avoid paying money in interest rate fees and finance charges. The less money that you spend, the more money you're saving. By paying off charges as quickly as possible, you also free up the card for more expenses. The more frequently that you use money back credit cards, the more quickly that cash back is going to add up.
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