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Tips to Protect Yourself from Credit Card FraudPosted on 2006-Dec-14 at 4:05 AM - 0 Comments - Post Comment - LinkCredit card fraud is a serious problem and is a leading cause of identity theft. Credit card fraud is on the rise. Thieves, con men and scam artists steal credit card numbers and make millions of dollars of purchases, often before consumers are even aware that there's a problem.Because credit card fraud is so common in today's society, we must take every step we can to secure our credit cards and information. Here are some simple things to keep in mind: - Make sure you always know where your credit cards are located. Don't let them lie around, or lend them to other people. Also, be careful what you do with your credit card receipts, as they often contain your complete credit card number. - Open credit card statements promptly and check for any suspicious charges. If your issuer provides online account access, use that facility to regularly keep up to date on activities on your card. - Call to activate and sign your credit cards as soon as you receive them. - Keep a list of all your credit card numbers, expiration dates, customer service numbers and addresses. Keep this list in a secure place and keep it up to date. - Retail sales employees who handle card numbers cause a large percentage of credit card fraud. Be careful of who you hand your card to, and don't let it out of your sight if at all possible. - Never give your credit card information out over the phone, unless you initiated the call or are very certain whom you are talking to. - Be careful with your online purchases. Before entering any personal information on a website, verify that the website is secure. Do that by checking the status bar at the bottom of your browser, somewhere on there it'll show the symbol of a closed lock to indicate that the website is secure and your information will be encrypted. That means that outside parties will not be able to read the information you're sending. Credit card fraud is a major problem faced by online businesses and merchants. It is costing them millions of dollars in losses, charge backs and processing fees every year. It is estimated that half of all credit card fraud is conducted online. For that reason, if you have an online business, protecting yourself is vital. You have to implement every form of protection offered by your credit card gateway and merchant account holder. Credit card fraud is clearly a very broad topic of discussion and one that we all need to take seriously. Eating good, nutritious food and drinking enough water are vital to your health. The time you invest in making the right food choices and preparing healthy meals will pay off in dividends. If you put just some of these tips into action over the next few weeks, you’ll definitely be protecting your number one business asset and feeling the benefits. Take that 15 minute break now you deserve it! The History of Credit and the BureauPosted on 2006-Nov-22 at 7:46 AM - 0 Comments - Post Comment - LinkOur nation is in chaos and the root of it all stems from good graces of man. Credit is deeply rooted into our history and it stems from a person's or merchant’s product or service priced too high for the average consumer; or when payment for the item(s) was not convenient at the current time. This was the birth of the consumer credit program.Let's look at a typical California House priced at $395,000. The builder, in order to make a profit, needs to sell many of these homes at this price. How many of us have $395,000 to plop down in one lump sum? If the builder only sold homes to people who could pay the lump sum, they would not sell many homes and the price would skyrocket to $3,395,000 due to the need for the builder to earn an equitable profit. On the other hand the builder would not make any profit if the homes were sold at $4000 or even $40,000. The homes must be sold at a price that is consistent with perceived value and quality, but still needs to make it available to the average consumer. This is the reason the mortgage business is so huge. Let's look at another example. This trend is deeply rooted in our history. Have you ever gone to a store and realized you didn't have the money to purchase an item? Remember asking the store clerk to put it on your account? Actually you can still find this type of system where the merchant would allow the consumer a period of up to 30 days to repay the debt; when payment for the goods or services is not convenient. This began back in the days of the general store where a patron would come by and pick up a few items, charge them to a personal account and the patron would agree to pay the entire account by the end of the month. You can still find this type of environment but it's gone for the most part replaced by the modern day credit and department store cards. This is a system designed with the theory that you never have to pay off the balance in full - the revolving credit or charge account. Pay off some and spend it to the limit. This is where people get in to trouble everyday; from late payments piling up debt and adding stress; who needs it? As an evolution of this process, it was natural that some type of credit reporting system would be create; the dawn of the credit bureau. Creditors or merchants were concerned about doing business with bad debtors; they needed a way to report problem consumers and a way to get the information about them before they established an account for them. Now that the bureau had been born they began tracking information on individuals and businesses, selling that information to subscribers (creditors) and receiving information as well. Can Budgeting Help Catch Up with Debts?Posted on 2006-Nov-11 at 4:48 AM - 0 Comments - Post Comment - LinkCan budgeting catch up with debts? Can it really? Well, some experts say "yes", some say "no". And, they are both right, and they are both wrong. ;-) It really depends. The basic is that if you keep spending on one hand, and keep spending on the other, there is no way to catch up. But, if you rein in your expenses, and step up on your savings, there is a good chance of turning the table. However...Debt Removal by Mastering Google AdwordsPosted on 2006-Nov-5 at 2:13 AM - 0 Comments - Post Comment - LinkMany think of eliminating debts by working harder in their job. But, that may not be the best strategy. Why not master another money generating skill like mastering Google adwords to make money? This will generate additional income and allow you to pay off your debt quickly. Of course, Google adwords takes time to master. However, anything worth your time takes time... >>> read more about Google Adwords...Stop Foreclosure in NJPosted on 2006-Oct-29 at 9:12 PM - 0 Comments - Post Comment - LinkStop Foreclosure in NJ - sometimes stopping foreclosure is peculiar to a location. This is due to different bank practices and creditors practices. Of course, people's practices as well ;-) Stopping foreclosure in New Jersey is pretty much similar to other states, but, there are always that subtle differences that make a BIG difference...Read more >>> Stop Foreclosure in NJ Credit Card Debt Balance Paid Down?Posted on 2006-Oct-22 at 9:40 AM - 0 Comments - Post Comment - LinkOne of the most important things to do when paying off credit card debts is not to start using the card again as the balance pays down. After all, if it is going down, down, down ;-) Let it keep going down! Thus, having the determination to "stick to it" is extremely important... Do not use the card again!Remove Debts by Using Google Adsense ProgramPosted on 2006-Oct-22 at 9:12 AM - 0 Comments - Post Comment - LinkMany people who are not Internet marketers are probably not aware of the Google Adsense program whereby webmasters get paid for clicks they channel for Google's advertisers. When done properly, this way of making a living can be pretty lucrative and it will actually help you to pay off your debts fast...Learn how to eliminate debts fast by making a living with Adsense here. How to Stop ForeclosurePosted on 2006-Oct-19 at 5:34 AM - 0 Comments - Post Comment - LinkGetting into debt is a terrible experience with a capital "T" ;-) That's why, I always try not to owe anyone any money. But, of course, getting a loan for a house is an inevitable reality for me. Hence, I learn how to prevent foreclosure. This entails a lot of learning...Full article >>> Learn the in's and out's of foreclosure Eliminate Mortgage Credit Card DebtPosted on 2006-Oct-17 at 8:57 PM - 0 Comments - Post Comment - LinkIf you have mortgage and credit card debt - like I do - and they are always hanging around my head ;-), it sure gives me a headache. However, all is not lost since there are always different ways to elminiate mortgage credit card debt... click on link to read full article.What? Eliminate Credit Card Debts? Are You Kidding?Posted on 2006-Oct-14 at 8:04 AM - 0 Comments - Post Comment - LinkCredit card debts can be a big headache, especially when you have more than one card and almost all of them have significant outstanding balances. Go ask my nephew, he knows! ;-)When I told him to pay off his credit card debts, he said "What? Are you kidding? I'm getting these stuff free. I don't care if they roll the balances all over the place! I just get a new card and charge it!" Boy! Is he getting himself into some financial headache... continue here for eliminate credit card debt. The Secret to Eliminating Credit Card Debt Without Filing For BankruptcyPosted on 2006-Oct-11 at 8:41 AM - 0 Comments - Post Comment - LinkFiling for bankruptcy is one of the most terrifying things that can ever happen to anyone. For many people, it always starts with one credit card which turns into two, and then three, four, five... And it simply rolls into a big time debt before you know. For heaven's sake :-) cut those plastics into halves, thirds, or better yet, shred them into pieces. But, all is not lost with The Secret to Eliminating Credit Card Debt Without Filing For Bankruptcy... |
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