Archive for April, 2008


Beating Credit Card Identity Theft

Almost all property in the world can be stolen. Whether it be money in a bank, important documents, copyrights, and now even your intellectual property.

Credit cards and ATMs are not spared from this situation, though these properties are protected with complicated passwords that only the owner knows. Recent news proved the world that cards cannot necessarily be stolen but the identity of the owner can.

According to some victims, they noticed that they have been paying their credit card companies more than the actual purchase they made. Troubled by the observation, the said victims extended their complaints to their credit cards companies.

The result was that, in the record of the companies the victims made transactions, not permitted by these victims. The companies later declared that the identities of the owners were stolen.

Knowing this reality, have you ever asked yourself, “How can I protect myself from these thieves?”

Well, if you have asked that question and still looking for an answer let this write-up be a help to you.

Securing your identity is never that hard. It will only cost you discipline and sense of responsibility. Mostly identity theft happens out of improper disposal of receipts and the like.

The receipt of a purchase contains almost all information pertaining to you that is essential in building your identity. Remember that every time you leave a counter you are asked to sign a piece of paper to validate your account and the transaction. Bear in mind that that signature is your identity.

Here are some suggestions of totally securing you identity over credit card thieves:

Make a list of the products you purchased and make a draft a little of information about it. You may include the date of purchase, the price, place where you bought the product and other important data. These data are written in the receipt and therefore all you have to do is to copy it.

By doing so, you will always know the things you purchased and therefore be aware if any unauthorized purchases done when your bill comes. Aside from that, the list you made will surely help you organize your budget.

Dispose your bills, credit cards applications, receipts and other confidential documents that contain your identity. A piece of paper with all necessary information in it will take a thief for an identity to be stolen.

If possible, do not use the shredder. You may rather burn these documents. If it does not need the document to be disposed, keep it in a protected place in your house, preferably a safe.

Always keep an eye or keep your mails with you when falling in line at a bank. Regard them as cash.

Improvise your mailbox in a manner that it locks by itself after your courier delivers your mail. That is to prevent thieves from stealing your mails as well

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Credit Cards. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting Credit Card Identity Theft

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Low Rate Credit Cards - Choosing the Best Card

Teaser rates offered on low rate credit cards are a boon to customers. Low APR credit cards are an ideal choice for customers who carry a steady monthly balance. With so many options, finding the right low APR credit card suited to your lifestyle could be a challenge. Yet, it is worth the effort because, over the years, the cost of carrying a balance at a high interest rate could outweigh the other benefits associated with the card.

Shopping for a low APR credit card implies comparing credit offers not just on the interest rate offered but also on various other parameters. Most of these low rate credit cards require you to have a good or excellent credit rating to qualify for their lowest rate. However, a decent credit rating will fetch the card at a slightly higher rate.

The best way to start shopping for a new low APR credit card is to compare costs, terms, and conditions with the cards you already possess. Before switching to another low rate credit card, you should ask your current card company to lower the existing APR. If that is not possible, then choose a card that would fit best with your spending and repayment habits.

Factors to Consider while choosing the Low APR Credit Card:

1) Different rates for different services offered on the same card - low APR credit cards may have differential interest rates for the variety of services offered on the card. For example, the interest rate for cash advances could be 20% but the interest rate for purchases could be 9% and balance transfers could be at 0%! It is important to determine the primary use of the card
and then decide on the card that offers the lowest rate for the service that you need.

2) Variable versus Fixed Rate - The interest offered on low APR credit cards could be variable or fixed. Fixed rates tend to be low and are advisable for customers who carry a steady balance. A small change in the APR rate could make a big difference if you carry a balance on a card month on month.

3) Differential Rates for Different Balances on the Same Card - Certain low APR credit cards offer very low interest rate on certain balance amount and charge hefty interest if you cross that range. An interest rate of 9% could be applied on a balance of $500 but if your balance goes to $900, the rate might increase to 15%, for example

4) Low Interest for a Pre-Determined Time - The low interest offered could be an introductory offer or for a limited time period. This is risky, as you may have to pay heavy interest charges if you carry a substantial balance at the end of the said period.

5) Cash Back Options - Many low APR credit cards offer a certain percentage as cash back to you depending on the purchase type. The cash back percentage may be 1% or 5% and could be available on a wide variety of purchase items.

6) Balance Transfers - If you have multiple credit cards and need to consolidate, low rate credit cards offer a good option. Certain cards allow 0% APR on balance transfers with no transfer fees. Since this could greatly help in reducing debt and substantial savings in interest, it is worthwhile to evaluate the different interest rates offered.

7) Air Miles or Frequent Flyer Miles - Some low APR credit cards offer conversion of accumulated reward points to air miles to encourage customer spending. It is not a bad idea to benefit both from the low interest APR along with free air miles.

8) Grace Period (Interest Free Period) - Many low rate credit cards charge
interest from day one of your purchases. However, certain cards may give a grace period and not charge interest if you repay the balance in full each month by the due date.

9) Fees - Most low rate credit cards will offer reduced or even no annual fees. Choose the one that does not add to your debt burden by charging hefty annual fees.

If you consider applying for low rate credit cards, there are a variety of websites online that offer comparisons of various low APR credit cards available in the market, and can be tremendously helpful in your search for low rate credit cards.

For more information on low rate credit cards, Robert Alan recommends that you visit CreditCardAssist.com

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Credit Cards Initiation & Precaution

Credit Cards have become a part of our daily lives these days and it is hard to imagine a day going without the comfort of a credit card tucked in your wallet. However, convenience comes with risks, which arise due to our negligence. As soon as your credit card arrives, follow a few steps to avoid any inconvenience.

First Step With A New Credit Card

You should duly sign credit card as soon as you receive it. Report the errors (if any) to the credit card company immediately. You should keep important numbers to be used in case of loss/theft of credit card, your pin number and phone banking details such as your password and terms and conditions, payment options and activation guide safely. It helps to keep an identity card with your credit card, which might come handy if you encounter any signature mismatch or any problem during any transaction through your credit card.

Precautions With Credit Cards

Credit card use calls for caution to avoid being duped of your hard earned money. You should in all circumstances avoid handing over your credit card or its details to someone else like your friends. You should avoid using cordless or mobile phones while communicating your credit card details, as it is easier to intercept the radio waves. While handing your credit card to the gas station attendant you should be careful as your 16 digit card number and its expiry date can be copied by him while swapping a couple of times, which can be misused to commit a fraud. During an Internet transaction through your credit card you should go through the terms and conditions as well as the privacy policy of the website/company as it is at this platform where your credit card information can be hacked by miscreants.

Credit cards have become more secure with government and other agencies taking steps for its safety and reducing inconvenience to the consumer. Even then, the onus is on you to take steps to secure your credit card and information, starting by taking evasive steps right from the time when your credit card arrives.

Zack Nelson recommends Find Credit Cards to find an Advanta business card.

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