Identity Theft and Fraud

With more traffic than ever on the Internet, you need to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft.

As more time passes, consumers are looking towards the Internet to fulfill all their needs, whether it is shopping online, filling out credit card applications online, checking credit profiles, communicating with friends, or conducting research.

Many companies have also used the Internet to improve business. For credit card companies, increasing sales and customer base has been an important goal in this competitive environment. However, these companies solicit information from the consumer that leaves them concerned with the security of relaying the information.

Criminals look for many ways to steal consumer information, such as a social security numbers or credit card numbers. With enough information thieves can pose as a certain person and empty accounts or make unjust purchases. The troubles begin to then compound as your payments might default, checks may bounce or credit agencies begin downgrading your credit scores, making it more difficult to apply for a personal loan, car, mortgage or a affordable credit card. The best way to protect yourself is to obtain a fraud protection credit card.

The number of reports made to the credit agencies has grown significantly. The amount of telephone calls to one of the top three credit reporting agencies regarding questions or complaints about identity fraud grew to more than 1,500 per day -- a 15-fold increase from 1992 to 1998.1

So when shopping online or applying for a credit card, consumers should find credit card offers which feature fraud protection credit cards also include an expense summary report online, which allows cardholders to check their purchases at all times. Many of these companies and online shopping stores feature secure and reliable encryption and authentication tools, which protect any sensitive information on the web pages.

Click to read some consumer safety tips to protect yourself from the Florida Attorney General's office.


1http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m0EIN/1999_Sept_28/55890704/p1/article.jhtml?term=fraud+protection

*See the online credit card application for details about terms and conditions of offer. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. When you click on the "Apply Here" button you can review the credit card terms and conditions on 's web site.