Refinance - Credit Repair - Consolidation Loans 
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March 20, 2007 09:11
If you have a good credit rating you wont have any trouble getting approved for a credit card. Credit cards that offer the best APR and terms are readily available to an applicant with a good credit history. For this reason it is vital that you know how good your credit rating is. There are many places online where you can check your credit for free. You should take advantage of that and check your credit at least once or twice a year so you will always know where you stand.
If it has been a long time since you checked your credit, or if you have never done so, now would be a good time to do it. Look at your credit report and try to correct anything that affects your credit rating negatively. Remember that if you apply for a credit card and you are turned down it can affect your credit rating and will affect the outcome of future applications for credit.
Once you have examined your credit rating report and you know how good your credit is it is time to apply online for a credit card. Keep in mind that whichever credit card company you choose to apply to will require that you provide personal information such as you social security number, income, birthdate, occupation, etc.
Before completing the online application for your new credit card read through the terms and conditions carefully. Be sure that you thoroughly understand the rates and any fees, including the APR, so there wont be any surprises later. Also be sure to verify that the website you are using is encrypted. Look for https in the url instead of http. The standard encryption for a secure website is SSL 128-bit. If you submit personal information to a website that is not secured with 128-bit encryption you will risk having your information intercepted and stolen by a third party which could make you a victim of identity theft.
Once you agree with and are satisfied with the terms and the security of the website you may complete the application and submit it for approval. In most cases you will receive your response on screen in a matter of a few moments. If your application is approved you should expect to receive your new credit card in the mail within just a few days.
Applying for a credit card has never been easier. There is no longer a need to wait around for weeks or months waiting for an answer, now you can get your response almost instantly. There are many hundreds of credit card companies that are competing for your business. Be sure to compare what different companies have to offer so that you can get the best terms.
Applying for a Credit Card Online
--- Authored By: D. Slone --- All of us receive offers for credit cards in our mail box, and we are all familiar with how these offers work. Credit card companies will tell you that you have already been pre-approved to receive their credit card, yet you still wait for weeks or even months after you fill out the form before you hear anything back from them. Now that we have the Internet these methods of obtaining a credit card are long gone. When you apply for a credit card online you will get a response within minutes or even a few seconds after submitting your information.If you have a good credit rating you wont have any trouble getting approved for a credit card. Credit cards that offer the best APR and terms are readily available to an applicant with a good credit history. For this reason it is vital that you know how good your credit rating is. There are many places online where you can check your credit for free. You should take advantage of that and check your credit at least once or twice a year so you will always know where you stand.
If it has been a long time since you checked your credit, or if you have never done so, now would be a good time to do it. Look at your credit report and try to correct anything that affects your credit rating negatively. Remember that if you apply for a credit card and you are turned down it can affect your credit rating and will affect the outcome of future applications for credit.
Once you have examined your credit rating report and you know how good your credit is it is time to apply online for a credit card. Keep in mind that whichever credit card company you choose to apply to will require that you provide personal information such as you social security number, income, birthdate, occupation, etc.
Before completing the online application for your new credit card read through the terms and conditions carefully. Be sure that you thoroughly understand the rates and any fees, including the APR, so there wont be any surprises later. Also be sure to verify that the website you are using is encrypted. Look for https in the url instead of http. The standard encryption for a secure website is SSL 128-bit. If you submit personal information to a website that is not secured with 128-bit encryption you will risk having your information intercepted and stolen by a third party which could make you a victim of identity theft.
Once you agree with and are satisfied with the terms and the security of the website you may complete the application and submit it for approval. In most cases you will receive your response on screen in a matter of a few moments. If your application is approved you should expect to receive your new credit card in the mail within just a few days.
Applying for a credit card has never been easier. There is no longer a need to wait around for weeks or months waiting for an answer, now you can get your response almost instantly. There are many hundreds of credit card companies that are competing for your business. Be sure to compare what different companies have to offer so that you can get the best terms.
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March 20, 2007 09:02
Obviously, if you have a current mortgage rate that is significantly higher than the current market value, then you need to consider refinancing. But beware, some of the lower interest rate mortgages will be adjustable and in the long run will cost you more.
If you are currently on a mortgage that is an adjustable rate mortgage, you need to look at your options. If the mortgage interest rates on your adjustable mortgage will steadily increase over time, make sure to look at the current rate and weigh out your options. You definitely do not want to be hit with any changes in the future on your adjustable rate mortgage. One day your payments may be 300 to 500 dollars more a month and then you are stuck. If you are in an adjustable rate mortgage and the chance to switch to a fixed rate, this will reduce the chances of the mortgage rate going up dramatically. It will also help you in the long run when helping to determine your budget, especially if you have hit some hard times.
Another thing to consider when refinancing is if you have a change in your income for the better. If may be possible at some time that you can make larger payments or double payments. You also may want to increase your equity as quick as you can so that you will own your home much quicker. If this is the case, then you might want to consider a shorter term mortgage. This is a great reason to refinance. Just make sure to really consider all of the terms of the new loan and take into consideration all of the impacts on your financial lifestyle before refinancing.
If you purchased your home under a balloon mortgage then you might want to consider refinancing if your loan is getting ready to come to an end. A balloon mortgage does not fully repay the loan over the term of the agreement. This will leave a balance due at the final payment that is rather large. If you see that you mortgage is about to pay off and you do not have the large sum of money that it is requiring, then you may want to consider refinancing as an option. This does generally make your payments higher, but you will avoid that huge payment at the end of the mortgage term.
There are so many reasons to refinance your home. In making the right decision for you, it is important to make sure to look at all of your options. Go to your lender, shop around, and get all the information before signing yet another mortgage agreement.Marti Kougal is a writer and educator in the real estate field and has been helping people make the right choices concerning their real estate for (time frame).
The Best Time to Consider Refinancing Your Home
--- Authored By: Marti Kougel --- So, you think that you might be ready to refinance your home, but are not really sure if it is right for you. Here are some things to consider when it comes to refinancing your home. Most experts agree that you should not consider refinancing your home unless the housing market interest rates are about 2% lower than the original lock in rate of your mortgage. Here are some things to consider when looking at refinancing your home.Obviously, if you have a current mortgage rate that is significantly higher than the current market value, then you need to consider refinancing. But beware, some of the lower interest rate mortgages will be adjustable and in the long run will cost you more.
If you are currently on a mortgage that is an adjustable rate mortgage, you need to look at your options. If the mortgage interest rates on your adjustable mortgage will steadily increase over time, make sure to look at the current rate and weigh out your options. You definitely do not want to be hit with any changes in the future on your adjustable rate mortgage. One day your payments may be 300 to 500 dollars more a month and then you are stuck. If you are in an adjustable rate mortgage and the chance to switch to a fixed rate, this will reduce the chances of the mortgage rate going up dramatically. It will also help you in the long run when helping to determine your budget, especially if you have hit some hard times.
Another thing to consider when refinancing is if you have a change in your income for the better. If may be possible at some time that you can make larger payments or double payments. You also may want to increase your equity as quick as you can so that you will own your home much quicker. If this is the case, then you might want to consider a shorter term mortgage. This is a great reason to refinance. Just make sure to really consider all of the terms of the new loan and take into consideration all of the impacts on your financial lifestyle before refinancing.
If you purchased your home under a balloon mortgage then you might want to consider refinancing if your loan is getting ready to come to an end. A balloon mortgage does not fully repay the loan over the term of the agreement. This will leave a balance due at the final payment that is rather large. If you see that you mortgage is about to pay off and you do not have the large sum of money that it is requiring, then you may want to consider refinancing as an option. This does generally make your payments higher, but you will avoid that huge payment at the end of the mortgage term.
There are so many reasons to refinance your home. In making the right decision for you, it is important to make sure to look at all of your options. Go to your lender, shop around, and get all the information before signing yet another mortgage agreement.Marti Kougal is a writer and educator in the real estate field and has been helping people make the right choices concerning their real estate for (time frame).
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March 20, 2007 08:59
Before you begin your quest to obtain refinancing for your current loan with poor credit, consider two things. The first step would be to find a company that specializes in granting bad credit loans. Make a good effort to make the best of your credit report by cleaning it up.
Let me stress again that you should seek out companies that specialize in bad credit mortgages. Initally, it may not be a bad idea to work with your current mortgage company especially if you have been timely with the payments. Programs for people with bad credit ratings may be found at some traditional lenders. Companies like Lendingtree may be a good place to start as they are both traditional with programs for people with less than perfect credit. Getting a no obligation quote should be very simple these days. Do note, however, that you will end up paying higher interest rates when you refinance with whoever you choose to refinance your loan with due to a low credit score.
Fixing credit problems before you refinance is a very smart thing to do. This will give you your greatest chance for success. The big tree credit bureaus can supply you with a copy of your credit report. Look at your credit report to see if here are any mistakes. If you find any, notify your creditors or the bureaus immediately. If you have any credit cards near the limit pay them down as best you can. This makes you look better to the mortgage lender. Remember, just do what you can and then carefully and methodically research possible mortgage refinancing companies.
Be prepared to be patient when you are looking to refinance with a bad credit score. Resourcefulness as well as your level of patience will be important in your refinancing success.
Bad Credit Refinancing Doesn't Have To Be A Burden
--- Authored By: Ron Henson --- Refinancing with bad credit is not always easy. Lowering your mortgage payments would be great you feel apprehensive because of your credit score. Don't be discouraged because there is hope to refinance even with bad credit.Before you begin your quest to obtain refinancing for your current loan with poor credit, consider two things. The first step would be to find a company that specializes in granting bad credit loans. Make a good effort to make the best of your credit report by cleaning it up.
Let me stress again that you should seek out companies that specialize in bad credit mortgages. Initally, it may not be a bad idea to work with your current mortgage company especially if you have been timely with the payments. Programs for people with bad credit ratings may be found at some traditional lenders. Companies like Lendingtree may be a good place to start as they are both traditional with programs for people with less than perfect credit. Getting a no obligation quote should be very simple these days. Do note, however, that you will end up paying higher interest rates when you refinance with whoever you choose to refinance your loan with due to a low credit score.
Fixing credit problems before you refinance is a very smart thing to do. This will give you your greatest chance for success. The big tree credit bureaus can supply you with a copy of your credit report. Look at your credit report to see if here are any mistakes. If you find any, notify your creditors or the bureaus immediately. If you have any credit cards near the limit pay them down as best you can. This makes you look better to the mortgage lender. Remember, just do what you can and then carefully and methodically research possible mortgage refinancing companies.
Be prepared to be patient when you are looking to refinance with a bad credit score. Resourcefulness as well as your level of patience will be important in your refinancing success.
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March 20, 2007 08:56
Select The Kind Of Card You Want
There are so many different kinds of instant approval credit cards - but only one will be the best match for your needs - and wants. For instance, if you fly a lot, then you will probably want an air miles credit card because it will result in savings on your airline tickets and can even get you some free flights, after a while. If you drive all the time, and stay in hotels, then you probably want either a gasoline card, or a hotel card, that will allow savings for your travel expenditures. Figure out your biggest costs each month and try to get a card that will give you the most savings in that area. Regular purchases, like groceries, prescriptions, and gas, will also get you a 1 to 3% savings on some credit cards, too.
Check Out The Fees
Each credit card has fees attached to them - somewhere. The truth, though, is that some instant approval credit cards have a lot less fees than other ones. This might be because the credit card companies are hoping you won't read the fine print - or something. Anyway, you are smarter than that, and need to make sure that you find out about all fees that apply - before you get the card. There could be annual fees, activation fees, minimum balance fees, processing fees, and many more.
Look At The Introductory Offer
This introductory offer on an instant approval credit card is what makes a credit card look so good. In the offer you can often get 0% APR interest, and the option of being able to make balance transfers with 0% APR interest. Some cards will even allow you to have 0% APR interest for the life of the transfer. This means you pay no interest at all for transfers you make to the new card. Be sure to find out beforehand if there is a fee for the transfer - some cards ask for 4%, others are free.
Consider The Interest
The rate of interest on an instant approval credit card can vary anywhere from about 10.99% all the way up to 18.24%. Of course, you will actually not pay any interest if you pay the monthly bills on time, and in full - even after the introductory time period is over. But if you are prone to leave a balance on the credit card, then you will be losing the benefit of reaping full rewards for your purchases.
In order to make a final selection for your instant approval credit card, you want to compare offers from several companies. After you apply, remember that you still cannot make any purchases until you actually have the credit card in your hand - which should be in about a week.Joe Kenny writes for the Credit Card Guide
What To Look For In An Instant Approval Credit Card
--- Authored By: Joe Kenny --- When you need to get a credit card in a hurry, you want to go for an instant approval credit card. These credit cards are readily available, but are especially for those who have excellent or good credit ratings. Here are some things that you need to know about how to select which instant approval credit card may be the best one for you.Select The Kind Of Card You Want
There are so many different kinds of instant approval credit cards - but only one will be the best match for your needs - and wants. For instance, if you fly a lot, then you will probably want an air miles credit card because it will result in savings on your airline tickets and can even get you some free flights, after a while. If you drive all the time, and stay in hotels, then you probably want either a gasoline card, or a hotel card, that will allow savings for your travel expenditures. Figure out your biggest costs each month and try to get a card that will give you the most savings in that area. Regular purchases, like groceries, prescriptions, and gas, will also get you a 1 to 3% savings on some credit cards, too.
Check Out The Fees
Each credit card has fees attached to them - somewhere. The truth, though, is that some instant approval credit cards have a lot less fees than other ones. This might be because the credit card companies are hoping you won't read the fine print - or something. Anyway, you are smarter than that, and need to make sure that you find out about all fees that apply - before you get the card. There could be annual fees, activation fees, minimum balance fees, processing fees, and many more.
Look At The Introductory Offer
This introductory offer on an instant approval credit card is what makes a credit card look so good. In the offer you can often get 0% APR interest, and the option of being able to make balance transfers with 0% APR interest. Some cards will even allow you to have 0% APR interest for the life of the transfer. This means you pay no interest at all for transfers you make to the new card. Be sure to find out beforehand if there is a fee for the transfer - some cards ask for 4%, others are free.
Consider The Interest
The rate of interest on an instant approval credit card can vary anywhere from about 10.99% all the way up to 18.24%. Of course, you will actually not pay any interest if you pay the monthly bills on time, and in full - even after the introductory time period is over. But if you are prone to leave a balance on the credit card, then you will be losing the benefit of reaping full rewards for your purchases.
In order to make a final selection for your instant approval credit card, you want to compare offers from several companies. After you apply, remember that you still cannot make any purchases until you actually have the credit card in your hand - which should be in about a week.Joe Kenny writes for the Credit Card Guide
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March 20, 2007 08:51
Keep Your Head On Straight!
One of the first things you will notice when you arrive on campus is that there are student credit card vendors everywhere. It makes sense, really. The credit card companies want to establish relationships while their client base is young. This relationship can lead to car loans and mortgages down the road, not to mention finance fees generated by the exuberant spending of American youth. Before you embark on this smorgasbord of credit consumption, you ought to consider a few things.
Consider, for instance, that the average student ends their college career with just under $3000 in credit card debt. An astounding ten percent of all students graduate with more than seven thousand dollars in credit card debt. I know, I know, you hear this statistic all of the time. It seems abstract and it is easy to tell yourself, "Well, I'm not the average student; I won't fall into that trap." That's good. No, really, that is a great frame of mind. The (difficult) trick is to keep that perspective so you don't get seduced by your newfound spending power.
Some Quick Tips
Here are a few quick tips to keep your finances in order:
1. Keep your card count low – Have you ever seen John Q. Consumer with 39 credit cards in his wallet? Absurd. Since you are just starting to build your credit history you shouldn't need more than a couple of cards. Choose wisely.
2. Shop Around – Don't grab the first credit card offer you see. There are a ton of options out there, and a little patience will get you settled into the card you need, and possibly save you much money and stress over the long run.
3. Pay Your Balance!!! – It's the cardinal rule for developing superior credit: keep your balance low, and pay it off completely when it's appropriate. If you do this now, you will get far better credit card offers in the future.
4. Tell Your Parents – Yeah, yeah… it's the last thing any college student wants to hear. "Tell your parents." Um, yeah… right. Well, in spite of your new independence you should let your parents know about your credit cards. They are a good resource for not just emergency financial support, but more importantly, for financial advice.
"In Conclusion…"
Finding the right student credit card can make all of the difference. Two of the most popular student credit cards are the Citi Platinum Select for College Students, and the Discover Student Clear Card. The Citi Platinum Select Card is an all around solid choice for first time card owners. It is an essentially bulletproof option for any student looking to establish credit history without having to worry about a minimum income, or a co-signor on the card. For those students looking for a little extra, they should start with the Discover Student Clear Card. The Clear Card has a lot of extra features, including up to 5% cash back on specific purchases. Both cards share a six month introductory APR of 0%.
When you arrive to college it is a good idea to get a student credit card or two, but it's a better idea to use them wisely. You will quickly find that the right card is an extremely useful tool for your purchasing habits and developing a stable credit history. You shouldn't be afraid of credit card ownership; rather you should realize that this is an early step to develop a happy financial picture in the long run.
A Guide for Student Credit Cards
--- Authored By: Edward Vegliante ---Oh, what a wonderful and terrifying time going off to college can be. Moving away from home and making it on your own is a huge step. You have taken all of the right classes to prepare you to succeed as a college student. But, you need the proper education outside the classroom in order to succeed. That includes knowing how to handle your student credit cards.Keep Your Head On Straight!
One of the first things you will notice when you arrive on campus is that there are student credit card vendors everywhere. It makes sense, really. The credit card companies want to establish relationships while their client base is young. This relationship can lead to car loans and mortgages down the road, not to mention finance fees generated by the exuberant spending of American youth. Before you embark on this smorgasbord of credit consumption, you ought to consider a few things.
Consider, for instance, that the average student ends their college career with just under $3000 in credit card debt. An astounding ten percent of all students graduate with more than seven thousand dollars in credit card debt. I know, I know, you hear this statistic all of the time. It seems abstract and it is easy to tell yourself, "Well, I'm not the average student; I won't fall into that trap." That's good. No, really, that is a great frame of mind. The (difficult) trick is to keep that perspective so you don't get seduced by your newfound spending power.
Some Quick Tips
Here are a few quick tips to keep your finances in order:
1. Keep your card count low – Have you ever seen John Q. Consumer with 39 credit cards in his wallet? Absurd. Since you are just starting to build your credit history you shouldn't need more than a couple of cards. Choose wisely.
2. Shop Around – Don't grab the first credit card offer you see. There are a ton of options out there, and a little patience will get you settled into the card you need, and possibly save you much money and stress over the long run.
3. Pay Your Balance!!! – It's the cardinal rule for developing superior credit: keep your balance low, and pay it off completely when it's appropriate. If you do this now, you will get far better credit card offers in the future.
4. Tell Your Parents – Yeah, yeah… it's the last thing any college student wants to hear. "Tell your parents." Um, yeah… right. Well, in spite of your new independence you should let your parents know about your credit cards. They are a good resource for not just emergency financial support, but more importantly, for financial advice.
"In Conclusion…"
Finding the right student credit card can make all of the difference. Two of the most popular student credit cards are the Citi Platinum Select for College Students, and the Discover Student Clear Card. The Citi Platinum Select Card is an all around solid choice for first time card owners. It is an essentially bulletproof option for any student looking to establish credit history without having to worry about a minimum income, or a co-signor on the card. For those students looking for a little extra, they should start with the Discover Student Clear Card. The Clear Card has a lot of extra features, including up to 5% cash back on specific purchases. Both cards share a six month introductory APR of 0%.
When you arrive to college it is a good idea to get a student credit card or two, but it's a better idea to use them wisely. You will quickly find that the right card is an extremely useful tool for your purchasing habits and developing a stable credit history. You shouldn't be afraid of credit card ownership; rather you should realize that this is an early step to develop a happy financial picture in the long run.
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March 20, 2007 08:45
A couple of years ago, my personal credit card account number was compromised. Did this stop me from continuing online transactions? No way.
In my case, while an unauthorized party gained my account details, no transactions were made. The bank's fraud department were understandably hesitant in releasing details of the compromise, but they were very quick in taking action. I'm not even sure that the offending party was an online merchant, hacker or traditional retailer. The media in general have fed the paranoia levels of the online consumer community regarding online transactions. Yes, credit card numbers are stolen and yes, there are victims who suffer financial loss. But submitting your credit card details online is no different to handing your card to a shop assistant that you don't know or a waiter you have never met before. There is very little stopping merchants we carry out transactions with on a face to face basis from gathering detailed lists of account numbers to be sold off on the black market. In fact, according to the 2005 Identity Fraud Survey Report, under 12 percent of ID fraud incidents originate online.
The media have also fed the xenophobic cold war attitudes of years gone by by focusing on certain countries. Credit card number hackers are "Russian", true. They are also American, Australian and English. Every country in the world has a community of identity thieves, scammers and spammers.
If you own a credit card and don't carry out online transactions, it doesn't mean you are safe. We need to remember that most of the world's information systems are now connected somehow to the Internet. All your vital details are now available online; regardless of whether or not you are a Internet user. If you have ever collected a welfare payment, taken out an insurance policy or registered a vehicle - congratulations! You are now part of the World Wide Web, like it or not. You can now emerge from your privacy fortress as resistance is futile. That's the reality of our modern lives.
So, now after having blown away your misconceptions of your privacy, and your false security of being safe from identity theft, let's deal with reality! Identity theft and credit card fraud is not uncommon, such is the nature of an online world. How do we as netizens and webmasters protect ourselves and our clients as best as possible? It boils down to a number of simple guidelines. Password issues Passwords - Know that little window that pops up and politely asks you if you want your computer to remember certain user names and passwords? Don't tick it! Most passwords are stored in a special file on a Windows 95/98/ME system and every half-baked pimply would-be hacker knows what it is. If you are not using a firewall, it is pretty easy for these people to snatch your password file and then crack it at their leisure using freely available programs.
Password length can also add as extra protection. Those extra few numbers and letters make all the difference. Read the article:
Safety in numbers and letters Web masters, if you are keeping user information on your web server, ensure it is stored in the proper directory with the proper permissions. Better still, wherever possible, store minimum client information on your server. Even better, ensure that all sensitive details that your visitors may submit occur over an SSL connection. A web server is the equivalent of a 7/11 store - open all hours for valid and non-valid customers. There is NO 100% guaranteed safe system. Firewalls A personal firewall is now a necessity, not a luxury. The script kiddie problem is increasing. A script kiddie is someone who fancies themselves as a hacker and utilizes freely available programs to compromise your system via the Internet. Script Kiddies have caused major problems over recent years and have been known to post up credit card numbers for all to see. Why? Bragging rights, a great deal of the time. There are over 60 000 points of entry on your PC. You can read more about the issue and gain an overview of personal firewalls by reading the articles:
Script Kiddies - Vermin of the Internet Beware of phishing scams Phishing is a strategy used to fool people into revealing passwords and other sensitive information by posing as a legitimate source. A common example is email sent by a party claiming to be a bank stating that the addressee must take action immediately to prevent problems with their account. The email usually has a link an online form that is branded to like the organization web site. The form will usually ask for sensitive details such as passwords, tax numbers etc.Phishing scammers are becoming increasingly skilled in mimicking style and language of communications. They use lists of millions of email addresses to send their notes out to, in the hope of snagging even a very small percentage of addressees.As these scams can be hard to discern from legitimate communications, the rule of thumb is that if the email has a link that leads to an account login page; don't use that link. Go to the site via another means and login, or call the company to verify the authenticity of the email.Verify Who are you? - Before you click the submit button for that ezine that you really gotta have; how much information are you having to give away? A name and email address should be all that's needed in most cases. Even if you aren't having to submit credit card numbers, you are still giving away information that enables people to build profiles on you which then make it easier for identity theft to occur. It's amazing how much information you can access just knowing somebody's date of birth. If a service provider is asking you for more than your name and email address; I strongly advise checking them out before submitting.
Web masters; you need to be able to supply freely available details about your organization if you want visitors to sign up for your services. An applied and publicized privacy policy along with an "about us" page will serve to put your visitors minds at rest. You can read more about developing these vital pages here:
Bio Benefits Reassuring your visitors Secure connection In the clear = danger - When you are asked to submit sensitive details such as credit card numbers, check your browser address bar. Does the address begin with https:? If it doesn't, you will be submitting details "in the clear" - unprotected. The https signifies a secure line of communications using inbuilt browser encryption, these days it is about as secure as you can hope for. Check your accounts regularly If you have the ability to bank online; it's probably wise to log in every couple of days to review transactions. The major banks, while quick to sniff out fraudulent activities these days, don't always pick up on fraudulent transactions. If you do see something that looks suspicious in your transaction history, don't panic, but immediately contact your bank who may freeze your account while they investigate. In the majority of cases, you won't be liable for the invalid transactions. But I will say that having your account compromised is very frustrating as it can take a week or two to reissue cards. And if, like me, you utilize online services frequently you'll find it a time consuming ordeal while contacting your suppliers to tell them of the changes. More on identity theft Why steal another persons credit card numbers when you can get your own under an assumed identity? I watched a disturbing report a couple of years ago concerning the head of a security firm; who incidentally refused to have an Internet connection at home, or carry out any personal transactions online. He challenged workers within the organization to see how much information they could collate regarding him; using only the Internet as a tool. The pile of documentation that was gathered within a couple of weeks was frightening. The file he was presented with was over two inches thick and contained amongst other things a certified copy of his birth certificate. With that type of information, a person could obtain a credit card, a drivers license, etc. etc. and happily build up huge bills under his name. There are many documented cases of identity theft and it has ruined innocent people's lives.
There are many "spy" services out there, that for only a few bucks are quite willing to provide anyone with enough information to begin building a usable personal profile. It's legal to provide this sort of information which includes court records, bankruptcy details, marriage and birth certificates. Even more disturbing is that a number of these services are provided by our Governments. If you should start receiving strange bills for items you didn't order from companies you have never heard of, don't disregard them as billing mistakes. You may be the victim of identity theft. Contact your bank manager and law enforcement authorities immediately; it's better to be safe than sorry.
Whether netizen or web master, we can't stop credit card fraud or identity theft, but we can minimize it by being aware and taking responsibility for the amount of information we give away or store. Michael Bloch
Taming the Beast
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| Credit Cards & Identity Theft - Online Fraud |
In my case, while an unauthorized party gained my account details, no transactions were made. The bank's fraud department were understandably hesitant in releasing details of the compromise, but they were very quick in taking action. I'm not even sure that the offending party was an online merchant, hacker or traditional retailer. The media in general have fed the paranoia levels of the online consumer community regarding online transactions. Yes, credit card numbers are stolen and yes, there are victims who suffer financial loss. But submitting your credit card details online is no different to handing your card to a shop assistant that you don't know or a waiter you have never met before. There is very little stopping merchants we carry out transactions with on a face to face basis from gathering detailed lists of account numbers to be sold off on the black market. In fact, according to the 2005 Identity Fraud Survey Report, under 12 percent of ID fraud incidents originate online.
The media have also fed the xenophobic cold war attitudes of years gone by by focusing on certain countries. Credit card number hackers are "Russian", true. They are also American, Australian and English. Every country in the world has a community of identity thieves, scammers and spammers.
If you own a credit card and don't carry out online transactions, it doesn't mean you are safe. We need to remember that most of the world's information systems are now connected somehow to the Internet. All your vital details are now available online; regardless of whether or not you are a Internet user. If you have ever collected a welfare payment, taken out an insurance policy or registered a vehicle - congratulations! You are now part of the World Wide Web, like it or not. You can now emerge from your privacy fortress as resistance is futile. That's the reality of our modern lives.
So, now after having blown away your misconceptions of your privacy, and your false security of being safe from identity theft, let's deal with reality! Identity theft and credit card fraud is not uncommon, such is the nature of an online world. How do we as netizens and webmasters protect ourselves and our clients as best as possible? It boils down to a number of simple guidelines. Password issues Passwords - Know that little window that pops up and politely asks you if you want your computer to remember certain user names and passwords? Don't tick it! Most passwords are stored in a special file on a Windows 95/98/ME system and every half-baked pimply would-be hacker knows what it is. If you are not using a firewall, it is pretty easy for these people to snatch your password file and then crack it at their leisure using freely available programs.
Password length can also add as extra protection. Those extra few numbers and letters make all the difference. Read the article:
Safety in numbers and letters Web masters, if you are keeping user information on your web server, ensure it is stored in the proper directory with the proper permissions. Better still, wherever possible, store minimum client information on your server. Even better, ensure that all sensitive details that your visitors may submit occur over an SSL connection. A web server is the equivalent of a 7/11 store - open all hours for valid and non-valid customers. There is NO 100% guaranteed safe system. Firewalls A personal firewall is now a necessity, not a luxury. The script kiddie problem is increasing. A script kiddie is someone who fancies themselves as a hacker and utilizes freely available programs to compromise your system via the Internet. Script Kiddies have caused major problems over recent years and have been known to post up credit card numbers for all to see. Why? Bragging rights, a great deal of the time. There are over 60 000 points of entry on your PC. You can read more about the issue and gain an overview of personal firewalls by reading the articles:
Script Kiddies - Vermin of the Internet Beware of phishing scams Phishing is a strategy used to fool people into revealing passwords and other sensitive information by posing as a legitimate source. A common example is email sent by a party claiming to be a bank stating that the addressee must take action immediately to prevent problems with their account. The email usually has a link an online form that is branded to like the organization web site. The form will usually ask for sensitive details such as passwords, tax numbers etc.Phishing scammers are becoming increasingly skilled in mimicking style and language of communications. They use lists of millions of email addresses to send their notes out to, in the hope of snagging even a very small percentage of addressees.As these scams can be hard to discern from legitimate communications, the rule of thumb is that if the email has a link that leads to an account login page; don't use that link. Go to the site via another means and login, or call the company to verify the authenticity of the email.Verify Who are you? - Before you click the submit button for that ezine that you really gotta have; how much information are you having to give away? A name and email address should be all that's needed in most cases. Even if you aren't having to submit credit card numbers, you are still giving away information that enables people to build profiles on you which then make it easier for identity theft to occur. It's amazing how much information you can access just knowing somebody's date of birth. If a service provider is asking you for more than your name and email address; I strongly advise checking them out before submitting.
Web masters; you need to be able to supply freely available details about your organization if you want visitors to sign up for your services. An applied and publicized privacy policy along with an "about us" page will serve to put your visitors minds at rest. You can read more about developing these vital pages here:
Bio Benefits Reassuring your visitors Secure connection In the clear = danger - When you are asked to submit sensitive details such as credit card numbers, check your browser address bar. Does the address begin with https:? If it doesn't, you will be submitting details "in the clear" - unprotected. The https signifies a secure line of communications using inbuilt browser encryption, these days it is about as secure as you can hope for. Check your accounts regularly If you have the ability to bank online; it's probably wise to log in every couple of days to review transactions. The major banks, while quick to sniff out fraudulent activities these days, don't always pick up on fraudulent transactions. If you do see something that looks suspicious in your transaction history, don't panic, but immediately contact your bank who may freeze your account while they investigate. In the majority of cases, you won't be liable for the invalid transactions. But I will say that having your account compromised is very frustrating as it can take a week or two to reissue cards. And if, like me, you utilize online services frequently you'll find it a time consuming ordeal while contacting your suppliers to tell them of the changes. More on identity theft Why steal another persons credit card numbers when you can get your own under an assumed identity? I watched a disturbing report a couple of years ago concerning the head of a security firm; who incidentally refused to have an Internet connection at home, or carry out any personal transactions online. He challenged workers within the organization to see how much information they could collate regarding him; using only the Internet as a tool. The pile of documentation that was gathered within a couple of weeks was frightening. The file he was presented with was over two inches thick and contained amongst other things a certified copy of his birth certificate. With that type of information, a person could obtain a credit card, a drivers license, etc. etc. and happily build up huge bills under his name. There are many documented cases of identity theft and it has ruined innocent people's lives.
There are many "spy" services out there, that for only a few bucks are quite willing to provide anyone with enough information to begin building a usable personal profile. It's legal to provide this sort of information which includes court records, bankruptcy details, marriage and birth certificates. Even more disturbing is that a number of these services are provided by our Governments. If you should start receiving strange bills for items you didn't order from companies you have never heard of, don't disregard them as billing mistakes. You may be the victim of identity theft. Contact your bank manager and law enforcement authorities immediately; it's better to be safe than sorry.
Whether netizen or web master, we can't stop credit card fraud or identity theft, but we can minimize it by being aware and taking responsibility for the amount of information we give away or store. Michael Bloch
Taming the Beast
http://www.tamingthebeast.net
Tutorials, web content, tools and software.
Web Marketing, Internet Development & Ecommerce Resources
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March 20, 2007 08:39
There are plenty of people out there that have a mortgage and an auto loan and are managing their debt wisely. They have no credit cards. And in return, they have less stress when it comes to finances. Some people are even strong enough to have a credit card and pay it off in full each month.
But many people out there are not that strong.
How do you know if your debt is out of control? Below may be some signs that you are having financial problems:
* You only make the minimum payments on your credit cards.
* You let bills slide for a few days or even a week.
* You don't have any savings or emergency funds available. You may take out loans to make ends meet.
* You buy everyday items and pay bills with your credit cards and hardly use cash.
* You have more than two credit cards with very high balances.
* You have no money at the end of the month after your bills are paid.
* You have maxed out your credit card(s).
* You don't even know how much you owe your credit cards.
* You are charging more than you are paying each month.
* You have been declined for credit.
* You bounce checks often.
* Your creditors call you looking for payment.
* You hide your spending and the credit card statements from your spouse.
If any of the above are true about your finances, you need to realize that you are in debt trouble. Right now. You are in over your head.
Get A free Debt Consolidation Quote
You need to re-think your finances and change your financial ways as soon as you can. It isn't worth the stress having that financial burden. you should start taking steps to paying off your debt and take control of your situation. Money shouldn't control you, you control the money.
Start with listing all of your debts. Be honest and list everything. Include interest rates, monthly payments and balance due. This will let you see exactly where you stand financially.
Next you should create a budget. This may take a month or two to get budget worked out. Look at it closely to find ways you can trim your spending and pay down your debt. You may find that you have to sell something or get a second job to get started.
One thing you should do is get rid of those cards right now. Do not use them anymore. You should set financial goals and try and reach them. You will never want to charge again when you see what it is really costing you. Take action against your debt situation NOW.We have been helping people with debt consolidation for over a decade, and our reputation as a full service debt relief company is unsurpassed in the credit counseling industry.
Debt Consolidation - Do you need Help?
--- Authored By: S. Lieberman ---Are you one of those people that can't buy groceries. Are you one of those people that say they will start saving for retirement tomorrow, not realizing that tomorrows add up to too late?There are plenty of people out there that have a mortgage and an auto loan and are managing their debt wisely. They have no credit cards. And in return, they have less stress when it comes to finances. Some people are even strong enough to have a credit card and pay it off in full each month.
But many people out there are not that strong.
How do you know if your debt is out of control? Below may be some signs that you are having financial problems:
* You only make the minimum payments on your credit cards.
* You let bills slide for a few days or even a week.
* You don't have any savings or emergency funds available. You may take out loans to make ends meet.
* You buy everyday items and pay bills with your credit cards and hardly use cash.
* You have more than two credit cards with very high balances.
* You have no money at the end of the month after your bills are paid.
* You have maxed out your credit card(s).
* You don't even know how much you owe your credit cards.
* You are charging more than you are paying each month.
* You have been declined for credit.
* You bounce checks often.
* Your creditors call you looking for payment.
* You hide your spending and the credit card statements from your spouse.
If any of the above are true about your finances, you need to realize that you are in debt trouble. Right now. You are in over your head.
Get A free Debt Consolidation Quote
You need to re-think your finances and change your financial ways as soon as you can. It isn't worth the stress having that financial burden. you should start taking steps to paying off your debt and take control of your situation. Money shouldn't control you, you control the money.
Start with listing all of your debts. Be honest and list everything. Include interest rates, monthly payments and balance due. This will let you see exactly where you stand financially.
Next you should create a budget. This may take a month or two to get budget worked out. Look at it closely to find ways you can trim your spending and pay down your debt. You may find that you have to sell something or get a second job to get started.
One thing you should do is get rid of those cards right now. Do not use them anymore. You should set financial goals and try and reach them. You will never want to charge again when you see what it is really costing you. Take action against your debt situation NOW.We have been helping people with debt consolidation for over a decade, and our reputation as a full service debt relief company is unsurpassed in the credit counseling industry.
—
March 20, 2007 08:31
How to Avoid Credit Card Late Fees
--- Authored By: Daryl Flagg ---
Everyone hates late fees and being late will cost you dearly these days. For some credit cards today, if you are late, you will have to shell out as much as $40 each time. This can put a nice sized hole in your pocket really quick. Below, I will provide you with some tips and strategies on how to steer clear of those monstrous late fees. This will not only save you a lot of money in the long run, but it will also keep those money-hungry credit card companies, I won’t mention any names, from getting your hard earned money.Just pay your bill. One of the easiest ways of avoiding a late fee is to just pay your bill each and every month by sending in a check, money order, or other type of payment to your respective credit card issuer. Just make sure you follow the numerous guidelines, which are usually outlined on the back of each credit card bill, on how to send in your payment. These guidelines must be followed precisely if you want to guarantee that your payment will go through on time.Payment guidelines may include everything from a specific payment address to the time of day by which the payment must be received to be credited that day. Many issuers also stipulate that payments must arrive in the preprinted envelope sent to the customer.While the Fair Credit Billing Act requires issuers to credit payments the day they are received, each issuer is allowed to set specific payment guidelines. If any of the guidelines are not met, the issuer can take as many as five days to credit the payment.An on-time payment could easily become late during that five-day period, so follow those payment guidelines carefully.Just skip the payment. One of the more rare types of methods you hear of are Skip-A-Payment services. You can use these services to skip mortgage, credit card, or loan payments. Usually you would need to get in contact with your bank just to see if you even qualify or not. There are also independent companies out there that will allow you to do the same thing, no matter what bank you are a member of. Depending on whose service you use, the fee’s associated with it vary. When you use these types of services make sure you know how much you will be charged then decide if it’s worth it or not.Pay minimum due immediately. One of the best ways to prevent a late fee from being charged to your account is to pay the minimum due immediately. As soon as you receive your bill, send in the minimum due. This will always insure that your credit card issuer received payment. You can always send in more money later if you decide otherwise. This is a great way to avoid missing a payment because if you forget to send extra money you can guarantee that you won’t be charged a late fee because the minimum due has been already been paid.Move your due date. Are your credit card bills due at a time of the month when you're running low on cash? Many people have trouble saving money, so when it comes time to paying their credit card bills, they don’t have any cash to do so. One particular solution is to move your due date. Many credit card issuers will allow you to set your own due date to meet your specific needs. If you have trouble saving money, move your due date to a time when you do have money, like as soon as you get your paycheck. If you time your credit card bill to come the same day you get paid, you will always have cash to pay the bill.Pay by phone. If you are one of those people that wait to the last minute to do everything or if you just forgot to send in your credit card payment early enough, you could always pay by phone. This guarantees that your payment will be on time. Just supply the representative on the other line with your checking account number and your bank routing number, which is printed at the bottom of each check. Usually the routing number is first and the account number is second. A lot of issuers allow you to pay by phone and some will charge you a pretty penny for doing so. Fee’s can range from $5 to $20.Use other express methods. If your bank does not offer a “pay by phone” service and you need to get your payment to your credit card issuer as soon as possible, I recommend either sending your payment in by express mail or by Western Union. Either one of these services can get your payment to your credit card issuer immediately. These express methods are costly, but it will always most likely be cheaper than any fees associated with being late. Make sure you send your express payment to the proper address. Many issuers have separate payment addresses for express payments. The last thing you want to do is slow the processing of an express payment by sending it to the wrong address.Daryl Flagg is the founder and CEO of Next Month Online. Next Month Online is a service that allows its visitors to skip credit card payments.
--- Authored By: Daryl Flagg ---
Everyone hates late fees and being late will cost you dearly these days. For some credit cards today, if you are late, you will have to shell out as much as $40 each time. This can put a nice sized hole in your pocket really quick. Below, I will provide you with some tips and strategies on how to steer clear of those monstrous late fees. This will not only save you a lot of money in the long run, but it will also keep those money-hungry credit card companies, I won’t mention any names, from getting your hard earned money.Just pay your bill. One of the easiest ways of avoiding a late fee is to just pay your bill each and every month by sending in a check, money order, or other type of payment to your respective credit card issuer. Just make sure you follow the numerous guidelines, which are usually outlined on the back of each credit card bill, on how to send in your payment. These guidelines must be followed precisely if you want to guarantee that your payment will go through on time.Payment guidelines may include everything from a specific payment address to the time of day by which the payment must be received to be credited that day. Many issuers also stipulate that payments must arrive in the preprinted envelope sent to the customer.While the Fair Credit Billing Act requires issuers to credit payments the day they are received, each issuer is allowed to set specific payment guidelines. If any of the guidelines are not met, the issuer can take as many as five days to credit the payment.An on-time payment could easily become late during that five-day period, so follow those payment guidelines carefully.Just skip the payment. One of the more rare types of methods you hear of are Skip-A-Payment services. You can use these services to skip mortgage, credit card, or loan payments. Usually you would need to get in contact with your bank just to see if you even qualify or not. There are also independent companies out there that will allow you to do the same thing, no matter what bank you are a member of. Depending on whose service you use, the fee’s associated with it vary. When you use these types of services make sure you know how much you will be charged then decide if it’s worth it or not.Pay minimum due immediately. One of the best ways to prevent a late fee from being charged to your account is to pay the minimum due immediately. As soon as you receive your bill, send in the minimum due. This will always insure that your credit card issuer received payment. You can always send in more money later if you decide otherwise. This is a great way to avoid missing a payment because if you forget to send extra money you can guarantee that you won’t be charged a late fee because the minimum due has been already been paid.Move your due date. Are your credit card bills due at a time of the month when you're running low on cash? Many people have trouble saving money, so when it comes time to paying their credit card bills, they don’t have any cash to do so. One particular solution is to move your due date. Many credit card issuers will allow you to set your own due date to meet your specific needs. If you have trouble saving money, move your due date to a time when you do have money, like as soon as you get your paycheck. If you time your credit card bill to come the same day you get paid, you will always have cash to pay the bill.Pay by phone. If you are one of those people that wait to the last minute to do everything or if you just forgot to send in your credit card payment early enough, you could always pay by phone. This guarantees that your payment will be on time. Just supply the representative on the other line with your checking account number and your bank routing number, which is printed at the bottom of each check. Usually the routing number is first and the account number is second. A lot of issuers allow you to pay by phone and some will charge you a pretty penny for doing so. Fee’s can range from $5 to $20.Use other express methods. If your bank does not offer a “pay by phone” service and you need to get your payment to your credit card issuer as soon as possible, I recommend either sending your payment in by express mail or by Western Union. Either one of these services can get your payment to your credit card issuer immediately. These express methods are costly, but it will always most likely be cheaper than any fees associated with being late. Make sure you send your express payment to the proper address. Many issuers have separate payment addresses for express payments. The last thing you want to do is slow the processing of an express payment by sending it to the wrong address.Daryl Flagg is the founder and CEO of Next Month Online. Next Month Online is a service that allows its visitors to skip credit card payments.
—
March 20, 2007 08:25
These offers were incredibly popular, and led to millions of people regularly moving their balances around from card to card, much to the chagrin of the credit card companies who, victims of their own marketing success, found themselves losing out on billions in interest payments.
As financial organisations are not on the whole known for their generosity, they had to find a way out of their predicament, and introduced the balance transfer 'handling charge' which made the whole balance transfer game much less attractive to cardholders who wished to gain the most benefit from their accounts. Luckily for these clued-up credit card customers, there is another kind of offer which can make using a credit card positively profitable: rewards and cashback programs.
Although sometimes treated as different kinds of incentive, cashback programs and rewards schemes are really two sides of the same coin, in that they pay the cardholder back a percentage of what's spent on the card. The key difference is that with a cashback program you're repaid in cold hard cash, while with a rewards program your payment comes in the form of 'free' gifts, discounts on shopping or services, or other benefits in kind.
With cashback, the percentages involved are pretty small. One per cent of the amount you spend on purchases is the average figure to be looking for, although some cards can pay up to 3% if you take account of introductory deals. The situation with rewards schemes is slightly different, as your spending builds up 'points' at a rate which varies from card to card, as does the value of the points in terms of what you can exchange them for.
The decision on whether to choose a card with cashback or rewards is largely down to whether the reward scheme in question is one you'll find personally beneficial. Some programs operate within specific niches such as travel, gas, or entertainment, and if these niches play a prominent role in your lifestyle then they could work out to be very valuable to you. Many people, however, prefer to take the cash with no strings attached, and for this cashback is the logical choice.
Are either of the two options really worth having? The first thing to check is whether the benefits you receive are outweighed by a higher standard interest rate on the card. A cashback rate of 1% would be easily swallowed up by an APR that's a couple of percentage points higher than a similar card without the cashback feature.
And that brings us to the final point: in order to maximize the benefits you get from either cashback or rewards, you should try to avoid carrying a balance on your card. By paying off your spending in full every month, you'll avoid all interest and yet still receive the cashback or reward points. In effect, you'll be being paid for using a credit card!Michael writes for Card Sense, which reviews and compares UK credit cards from issuers including Egg, Marbles, Capital One, and many more.
Choosing Cashback Or Rewards Credit Cards
--- Authored By: Michael D. Strauss ---One of the main selling points of credit cards over the past decade has been the balance transfer offer, where customers are tempted into applying for a new card with the promise of obtaining effectively free credit. By making use of a 0% transfer deal, they can put off having to pay any interest on an existing debt for a period of six months or more.These offers were incredibly popular, and led to millions of people regularly moving their balances around from card to card, much to the chagrin of the credit card companies who, victims of their own marketing success, found themselves losing out on billions in interest payments.
As financial organisations are not on the whole known for their generosity, they had to find a way out of their predicament, and introduced the balance transfer 'handling charge' which made the whole balance transfer game much less attractive to cardholders who wished to gain the most benefit from their accounts. Luckily for these clued-up credit card customers, there is another kind of offer which can make using a credit card positively profitable: rewards and cashback programs.
Although sometimes treated as different kinds of incentive, cashback programs and rewards schemes are really two sides of the same coin, in that they pay the cardholder back a percentage of what's spent on the card. The key difference is that with a cashback program you're repaid in cold hard cash, while with a rewards program your payment comes in the form of 'free' gifts, discounts on shopping or services, or other benefits in kind.
With cashback, the percentages involved are pretty small. One per cent of the amount you spend on purchases is the average figure to be looking for, although some cards can pay up to 3% if you take account of introductory deals. The situation with rewards schemes is slightly different, as your spending builds up 'points' at a rate which varies from card to card, as does the value of the points in terms of what you can exchange them for.
The decision on whether to choose a card with cashback or rewards is largely down to whether the reward scheme in question is one you'll find personally beneficial. Some programs operate within specific niches such as travel, gas, or entertainment, and if these niches play a prominent role in your lifestyle then they could work out to be very valuable to you. Many people, however, prefer to take the cash with no strings attached, and for this cashback is the logical choice.
Are either of the two options really worth having? The first thing to check is whether the benefits you receive are outweighed by a higher standard interest rate on the card. A cashback rate of 1% would be easily swallowed up by an APR that's a couple of percentage points higher than a similar card without the cashback feature.
And that brings us to the final point: in order to maximize the benefits you get from either cashback or rewards, you should try to avoid carrying a balance on your card. By paying off your spending in full every month, you'll avoid all interest and yet still receive the cashback or reward points. In effect, you'll be being paid for using a credit card!Michael writes for Card Sense, which reviews and compares UK credit cards from issuers including Egg, Marbles, Capital One, and many more.
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March 20, 2007 08:13
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