Chase Credit Card-home Page
By Mario Churchill
The current Chase Bank was created through a variety of
historical mergers. Chase Banks most successful acquisitions
was in the 1930’s when it acquired the Equitable Trust Company.
John D Rockefeller, of the influential Rockefeller Family was
one of the most influential stockholders in the trust company
and his influence helped make the Chase bank the largest bank
in the United States in 1955 when the Chase National Bank and
the Bank of the Manhattan Company merged.
The Chase Credit Card is really a Visa card offered by the
Chase Bank.
One of the features found on the Chase Credit Card home page is
a section for their financial resources. Chase offers a variety
of sources ranging from educational planning tool, mortgage
tools, and advice and planning. The educational tool is
information about all sorts of educational loans; loans for
medical students, loans for private students, loans for parents
of students, and information about the Stafford loans. The
mortgage section offers a mortgage calendar and a home equity
calculator. The mortgage calculator answers questions like;
what type of home is in your budget, and wether you should take
a short term or long term mortgage. The home equity calculator
provides the answers to questions like; how long it will take
to pay off a line of credit and if you should consider
consolidating your loans. The advice planning section provides
advice on topics such as; financial planning, retirement
planning, and an educational resources library.
Chase Credit Card also has a page dedicated to financial tools
which includes credit information, student credit and a
innovative section called smartscents. Smartcents is a place
customers can go to learn how banking works from budgeting to
borrowing. Smartcents even has a section designed for kids.
The Chase Credit Card home page features the Visa Freedom card.
The Freedom card features a three percent cash back bonus for
every doller spent at grocery stores, fast food restaurants,
and gas stations. It also features a one percent cash back
bonus every time you spend a doller every where else. If you
stock up two hundred dollars worth of rewards on your Freedom
card Chase will send you a check for two hundred and fifty
dollars.
The Chase Credit card website offers customers four ways to
apply for a card. They can choose by category. The company will
help them choose the best card. They can shop by comparing card
features. I all else fails clients can simply browse through
Chase’s list until a card catches their eye.
Once you have gotten your chase card you can take advantage of
Chase’s paperless accounting by receiving your credit card
statement online instead of through the postal service.
Two features somewhat unique to the Chase Credit Card are their
fraud detector and payment protection plan.
The Chase Credit Card website is simple to use and full of
clear concise instructions for navigation. It lacks the bells
and whistles of some of other credit card sites but the
simplicity is refreshing. The one feature that would benefit
the site is information about their customer service
department.
About the Author: Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has
written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more
information checkout http://www.better-credit-cards.com and
http://www.creditrequests.com.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Monday, April 30, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Credit Card Machines 802 Home
Minimum Credit Card Payments To Rise
By Charles Essmeier
For years, major credit card companies have allowed cardholders
to make minimum payments of 2% of the outstanding balances on
their credit cards. Having customers pay the minimum doesn’t
reduce the balance by very much, but when the 18-30% interest
rates that many credit cards charge is applied, the result is a
profitable ones for the banks that issue credit cards. A balance
of $1000 can take nine years to pay off at 20% interest if the
borrower only pays the minimum due each month.
Clearly, it is not in the best interests of consumers to pay
the minimum every month. But tens of thousands of Americans do
just that, carrying huge balances and paying the minimum every
month. The average household now carries $10,000 in credit card
debt; for many people, paying the minimum is all they can
manage. Due to changes in Federal law, several major credit
card issuing banks will soon raise the minimum amount due to
4%. This might seem like a small increase, but if you are
already deep in debt and paying the minimum amount, this could
cause your payments to double. If you have a $10,000 balance
and you are paying $200 per month, you will soon need to come
up with $400 instead. Many people will find this impossible to
do, as they are already paying as much as they can. What
solutions are available?
The usual common sense rules of credit card use apply here.
Stop using your credit cards. See if you can consolidate your
debt on another credit card with lower interest. See if you can
cut out some unnecessary expenses in order to free up some more
money to pay your balance. Consider a home equity loan to
consolidate your debt. Call your card issuing bank and see if
they can work out repayment plan or lower your interest rate.
There are numerous solutions available, but card holders need
to be aware that the minimum payment is rising, and it isn’t
going to come back down. By charging a 4% minimum, the credit
card issuing banks are hoping that consumers will pay off their
debt a bit sooner and that fewer consumers will find themselves
in a situation where filing for bankruptcy is the only
solution. And once October comes around, even filing for
bankruptcy will be more difficult. Credit card holders with
large balances on their accounts should give considerable
thought to reducing their debt now, as payment options and
requirements are going to be more strict from now on.
About the Author: ©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles
Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to
informational Websites, including http://www.End-Your-Debt.com,
a site devoted to debt consolidation and credit counseling, and
http://www.StructuredSettlementHelp.com, a site devoted to
information regarding structured settlements.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
By Charles Essmeier
For years, major credit card companies have allowed cardholders
to make minimum payments of 2% of the outstanding balances on
their credit cards. Having customers pay the minimum doesn’t
reduce the balance by very much, but when the 18-30% interest
rates that many credit cards charge is applied, the result is a
profitable ones for the banks that issue credit cards. A balance
of $1000 can take nine years to pay off at 20% interest if the
borrower only pays the minimum due each month.
Clearly, it is not in the best interests of consumers to pay
the minimum every month. But tens of thousands of Americans do
just that, carrying huge balances and paying the minimum every
month. The average household now carries $10,000 in credit card
debt; for many people, paying the minimum is all they can
manage. Due to changes in Federal law, several major credit
card issuing banks will soon raise the minimum amount due to
4%. This might seem like a small increase, but if you are
already deep in debt and paying the minimum amount, this could
cause your payments to double. If you have a $10,000 balance
and you are paying $200 per month, you will soon need to come
up with $400 instead. Many people will find this impossible to
do, as they are already paying as much as they can. What
solutions are available?
The usual common sense rules of credit card use apply here.
Stop using your credit cards. See if you can consolidate your
debt on another credit card with lower interest. See if you can
cut out some unnecessary expenses in order to free up some more
money to pay your balance. Consider a home equity loan to
consolidate your debt. Call your card issuing bank and see if
they can work out repayment plan or lower your interest rate.
There are numerous solutions available, but card holders need
to be aware that the minimum payment is rising, and it isn’t
going to come back down. By charging a 4% minimum, the credit
card issuing banks are hoping that consumers will pay off their
debt a bit sooner and that fewer consumers will find themselves
in a situation where filing for bankruptcy is the only
solution. And once October comes around, even filing for
bankruptcy will be more difficult. Credit card holders with
large balances on their accounts should give considerable
thought to reducing their debt now, as payment options and
requirements are going to be more strict from now on.
About the Author: ©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles
Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to
informational Websites, including http://www.End-Your-Debt.com,
a site devoted to debt consolidation and credit counseling, and
http://www.StructuredSettlementHelp.com, a site devoted to
information regarding structured settlements.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Friday, April 27, 2007
Credit Card Machines 802 Home
Could A Fraudster Be Using Your Credit Card?
By Joseph Kenny
If your credit card statement has transactions you don't know about, don't just dismiss them as a banking error. It could be worth checking to see if you are a victim of identity theft.
Identity theft is where someone gets hold of information that can identify you, such as a credit or debit card, passport or driver's licence, and uses that to create a new identity for himself or herself. The person may also use those details to buy goods or services which you may find on your credit card statement.
How Fraudsters Get Your Details
Identity fraudsters have a number of methods for getting hold of people's personal details. A simple one is to rummage through someone's rubbish, looking for old receipts they have thrown away. This can be a simple way of getting hold of a credit card number.
Identity fraudsters can also steal your mail or redirect it to a different address, so that letters addressed to you go somewhere else, and your information goes with them.
Another method of gaining personal information is by stealing a wallet or purse with debit and credit cards, perhaps a driving licence and old receipts. And a house burglary will yield even more rewards for fraudsters with even more information lying around for the taking.
Fraudsters have also gone high tech and use computer hacking and 'skimming' machines to get hold of information. 'Skimming' allows fraudsters to copy credit card details from the ATM and clone your credit card in a couple of minutes.
Identity Theft Checklist
If you think you might be a victim of identity theft, ask yourself the following questions:
Has someone been rummaging through your rubbish?
Have you had less mail than usual recently?
Have you had a bill or receipt for something you know you haven't ordered?
Are you getting invoices from people you don't usually deal with?
Are debt collectors or solicitors chasing you for money you know you don't owe?
Have you been turned down for credit in spite of a spotless record?
If you have answered yes to any of these, then you might be a victim of identity theft and it's time to inform the relevant authorities. Here are some tips for avoiding being a victim.
Identity Fraud Prevention Tips
Security should be your watchword in protecting against identity fraud. That means that you never reveal PINs or passwords. You should also invest in a shredder to completely destroy unwanted till receipts, ATM receipts or anything else that has personal information. Anything you do want to keep should be stored securely in either a safety deposit box or a locked drawer or cabinet.
Redirect your mail if you move and check to make sure that no-one else has redirected it for you. Let banks and credit card companies know as well. Finally, get a copy of your credit file from one of the credit reference agencies. This is a good way of checking whether someone has applied for credit in your name.
Joe Kenny writes for the Credit Card Guide, offering the latest 0% credit cards, visit today for introductory balance transfers and start clearing credit card debt today.
Visit today: http://www.cardguide.co.uk/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Kenny
http://EzineArticles.com/?Could-A-Fraudster-Be-Using-Your-Credit-Card?&id=282363
By Joseph Kenny
If your credit card statement has transactions you don't know about, don't just dismiss them as a banking error. It could be worth checking to see if you are a victim of identity theft.
Identity theft is where someone gets hold of information that can identify you, such as a credit or debit card, passport or driver's licence, and uses that to create a new identity for himself or herself. The person may also use those details to buy goods or services which you may find on your credit card statement.
How Fraudsters Get Your Details
Identity fraudsters have a number of methods for getting hold of people's personal details. A simple one is to rummage through someone's rubbish, looking for old receipts they have thrown away. This can be a simple way of getting hold of a credit card number.
Identity fraudsters can also steal your mail or redirect it to a different address, so that letters addressed to you go somewhere else, and your information goes with them.
Another method of gaining personal information is by stealing a wallet or purse with debit and credit cards, perhaps a driving licence and old receipts. And a house burglary will yield even more rewards for fraudsters with even more information lying around for the taking.
Fraudsters have also gone high tech and use computer hacking and 'skimming' machines to get hold of information. 'Skimming' allows fraudsters to copy credit card details from the ATM and clone your credit card in a couple of minutes.
Identity Theft Checklist
If you think you might be a victim of identity theft, ask yourself the following questions:
Has someone been rummaging through your rubbish?
Have you had less mail than usual recently?
Have you had a bill or receipt for something you know you haven't ordered?
Are you getting invoices from people you don't usually deal with?
Are debt collectors or solicitors chasing you for money you know you don't owe?
Have you been turned down for credit in spite of a spotless record?
If you have answered yes to any of these, then you might be a victim of identity theft and it's time to inform the relevant authorities. Here are some tips for avoiding being a victim.
Identity Fraud Prevention Tips
Security should be your watchword in protecting against identity fraud. That means that you never reveal PINs or passwords. You should also invest in a shredder to completely destroy unwanted till receipts, ATM receipts or anything else that has personal information. Anything you do want to keep should be stored securely in either a safety deposit box or a locked drawer or cabinet.
Redirect your mail if you move and check to make sure that no-one else has redirected it for you. Let banks and credit card companies know as well. Finally, get a copy of your credit file from one of the credit reference agencies. This is a good way of checking whether someone has applied for credit in your name.
Joe Kenny writes for the Credit Card Guide, offering the latest 0% credit cards, visit today for introductory balance transfers and start clearing credit card debt today.
Visit today: http://www.cardguide.co.uk/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Kenny
http://EzineArticles.com/?Could-A-Fraudster-Be-Using-Your-Credit-Card?&id=282363
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Credit Card Machines 802 Home
The Main Reasons Credit Cards Expire and Top Tips for Easily And Quickly Renewing Them
By Tim Gorman
Aside from the long string of numbers that serves to identify your account, a short series of numbers makes up the expiration date of your credit card. Many people are unaware of the expiration date of their credit card but the credit card approval network knows exactly when credit cards expire.
There are several reasons that credit cards have expiration dates and some of those reasons are mentioned below:
*Credit cards expire because the magnetic strip attached on the back of each credit card will eventually wear out. Once your credit card's magnetic strip wears out, credit card terminals and ATMs will not be able to read your card and process your transactions.
*Credit cards have expiration dates so credit card companies can get in touch with their customers in a timely manner. This time can be used by the company to inquire about any issues or complaints that the customer has. If your credit card were about to expire, you would receive a reminder from your credit card company with an option to renew with them.
*Credit cards expire for the security of cardholders. An expiration date allows the credit card companies to make sure that you are who say you are and that there have been no fraudulent activities associated with your credit card. With identity theft on the rise, this is not a bad thing. There have been instances when credit cards have been opened in someone's name without him or her knowing and charges made on the card. If your credit card expires, your credit card company will get in touch with you and alert you about current fraud trends.
*Credit card companies may also use the time before the expiration dates of credit cards to remind clients of their existence. This is especially for people who don't make use of their cards very often.
If your credit card is about to expire, renewing it isn't hard at all. You would most likely get a new one in the mail about a month prior to your current credit card's expiration date. If you are a frequent traveler, make sure you check your credit card's expiration date. It might expire while you are away. If your credit card expires while you are traveling, you won't be able to use it in your transactions or emergencies. So before you go off anywhere, call your credit card company and request they send you a new card before you leave.
As soon as you get your new credit card, read the literature that comes with it. You don't want to miss any new features such as new and improved terms of use. However, if you discover that there have been changes to your terms and they are not good, get into touch with your credit card company right away. Refrain from using your new credit card until your request for changing the term is approved. If the credit card company denies your request, you can simply cancel the card. You'll easily find a credit card company with better terms.
For more important and helpful information on credit cards to include bad credit - credit cards, cash back and reward credit cards and instant approval credit cards visit BestOnlineCreditCards.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Gorman
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Main-Reasons-Credit-Cards-Expire-and-Top-Tips-for-Easily-And-Quickly-Renewing-Them&id=314817
By Tim Gorman
Aside from the long string of numbers that serves to identify your account, a short series of numbers makes up the expiration date of your credit card. Many people are unaware of the expiration date of their credit card but the credit card approval network knows exactly when credit cards expire.
There are several reasons that credit cards have expiration dates and some of those reasons are mentioned below:
*Credit cards expire because the magnetic strip attached on the back of each credit card will eventually wear out. Once your credit card's magnetic strip wears out, credit card terminals and ATMs will not be able to read your card and process your transactions.
*Credit cards have expiration dates so credit card companies can get in touch with their customers in a timely manner. This time can be used by the company to inquire about any issues or complaints that the customer has. If your credit card were about to expire, you would receive a reminder from your credit card company with an option to renew with them.
*Credit cards expire for the security of cardholders. An expiration date allows the credit card companies to make sure that you are who say you are and that there have been no fraudulent activities associated with your credit card. With identity theft on the rise, this is not a bad thing. There have been instances when credit cards have been opened in someone's name without him or her knowing and charges made on the card. If your credit card expires, your credit card company will get in touch with you and alert you about current fraud trends.
*Credit card companies may also use the time before the expiration dates of credit cards to remind clients of their existence. This is especially for people who don't make use of their cards very often.
If your credit card is about to expire, renewing it isn't hard at all. You would most likely get a new one in the mail about a month prior to your current credit card's expiration date. If you are a frequent traveler, make sure you check your credit card's expiration date. It might expire while you are away. If your credit card expires while you are traveling, you won't be able to use it in your transactions or emergencies. So before you go off anywhere, call your credit card company and request they send you a new card before you leave.
As soon as you get your new credit card, read the literature that comes with it. You don't want to miss any new features such as new and improved terms of use. However, if you discover that there have been changes to your terms and they are not good, get into touch with your credit card company right away. Refrain from using your new credit card until your request for changing the term is approved. If the credit card company denies your request, you can simply cancel the card. You'll easily find a credit card company with better terms.
For more important and helpful information on credit cards to include bad credit - credit cards, cash back and reward credit cards and instant approval credit cards visit BestOnlineCreditCards.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Gorman
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Main-Reasons-Credit-Cards-Expire-and-Top-Tips-for-Easily-And-Quickly-Renewing-Them&id=314817
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Credit Card Machines 802 Home
Debit Card Vs. Credit Card, What Are The Differences?
By James Dimmitt
Ah, the “good old days”. If you are a baby boomer, like me,
then you probably remember how important it was to rush to the
bank on payday. You had to get there before the teller lanes
closed so that you could have your “cash allowance” for the
week. Otherwise, if you needed cash you had to write a check,
then go to the bank, and “cash” the check for real cash.
Fortunately the days of the mad rush to get cash from the bank
are long gone. We now enjoy the convenience of using a nearby
automatic teller machine (ATM) or you can even get “cash back”
at your local grocery, hardware or convenience store.
The card you use at the ATM is known as a debit card. When
debit cards first appeared it was easy to tell them apart from
credit cards. Debit cards didn’t have a credit card company
logo on them; instead, they usually just had your bank name,
your account number and your name.
Today debit cards look exactly like credit cards even carrying
the same logos. Both types of cards can be swiped at the
checkout counter , used to make purchases on the internet, or
to pay for the fill-up at the gas pump.
When you use your debit card to make a purchase, it’s just like
using cash. The account that is attached to your debit card, in
most cases your checking account, is automatically debited when
you use your debit card. The cost of your purchase is deducted
from the funds you have in that account.
On the other hand, when you use your credit card to make a
purchase you are using someone’s else’s money, specifically the
issuer of the credit card, usually a banking institution.
In effect, you agree to pay them back the money you borrowed to
make your purchase. In addition you will also pay interest on
the money “loaned” to you at the rate which you agreed to when
you applied for their credit card. This is known as the annual
percentage rate (APR).
While the two cards might act and look alike, the levels of
consumer protection that each type of card provides can be
different.
Under federal law, if someone steals your credit card you're
only responsible to pay the first $50 of unauthorized charges.
However, if you notify the credit card issuer before a thief is
able to make any charges you may be free from all liability.
If the credit card is not physically present when an
unauthorized or fraudulent purchase is made, such as over the
internet, you’re also free from liability for those charges.
MasterCard and Visa offer zero-liability protection where you
won’t pay any charges if someone uses your credit card to make
an unauthorized purchase.
The protection offered to debit card fraud is similar but with
a few exceptions. For example, your liability under federal
law is limited to $50, the same as for a credit card, but only
if you notify the issuer within two business days of
discovering the card's loss or theft. Your liability for
debit card fraud can jump up to $500 if you don’t report the
loss or theft within two business days.
And if you are the type of person that gives a passing glance
to your monthly bank statement, you could be totally liable for
any fraudulent debit card charges if you wait 60 days or more
from the time your statement is mailed.
Visa and MasterCard zero-liability protection applies to your
debit card but only for transactions that do not involve the
use of your PIN (personal identification number).
Additional protection against fraudulent use of your credit or
debit cards may be available through your homeowner’s or
renter’s insurance. Check your policy or with your agent for
more information about your coverage.
Also be aware that you should contact your card issuer by
certified letter, return receipt requested, after you’ve
contacted them by phone to protect your consumer rights.
As for which card to use for what type of purchase, most
experts agree that you should use your debit card for the same
type of purchases you’d make as if you were using cash.
Therefore, it makes more sense to use your debit card than your
credit card at the grocery store or gas station (provided you
have sufficient funds to cover these purchases of course).
Avoid using your debit card for any online purchase or for
something which is expensive. Why ? You’ll find it much
easier to dispute a charge when you use your credit card. If
your gold-plated, limited edition, hip-swinging Elvis wall
clock arrives broken, your credit card company will remove the
charge until the problem is resolved.
With your debit card you are stuck dealing with the merchant
directly to resolve any problems with a purchase, even if your
banking institution could really use a gold-plated, limited
edition, hip-swinging Elvis wall clock of their very own.
About the Author: © 2005,
http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com Author: James H. Dimmitt
James is editor of “To Your Credit” a FREE weekly newsletter
focusing on managing your personal finances and credit.
Subscribe and get a FREE copy of your credit report when you
visit: http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
By James Dimmitt
Ah, the “good old days”. If you are a baby boomer, like me,
then you probably remember how important it was to rush to the
bank on payday. You had to get there before the teller lanes
closed so that you could have your “cash allowance” for the
week. Otherwise, if you needed cash you had to write a check,
then go to the bank, and “cash” the check for real cash.
Fortunately the days of the mad rush to get cash from the bank
are long gone. We now enjoy the convenience of using a nearby
automatic teller machine (ATM) or you can even get “cash back”
at your local grocery, hardware or convenience store.
The card you use at the ATM is known as a debit card. When
debit cards first appeared it was easy to tell them apart from
credit cards. Debit cards didn’t have a credit card company
logo on them; instead, they usually just had your bank name,
your account number and your name.
Today debit cards look exactly like credit cards even carrying
the same logos. Both types of cards can be swiped at the
checkout counter , used to make purchases on the internet, or
to pay for the fill-up at the gas pump.
When you use your debit card to make a purchase, it’s just like
using cash. The account that is attached to your debit card, in
most cases your checking account, is automatically debited when
you use your debit card. The cost of your purchase is deducted
from the funds you have in that account.
On the other hand, when you use your credit card to make a
purchase you are using someone’s else’s money, specifically the
issuer of the credit card, usually a banking institution.
In effect, you agree to pay them back the money you borrowed to
make your purchase. In addition you will also pay interest on
the money “loaned” to you at the rate which you agreed to when
you applied for their credit card. This is known as the annual
percentage rate (APR).
While the two cards might act and look alike, the levels of
consumer protection that each type of card provides can be
different.
Under federal law, if someone steals your credit card you're
only responsible to pay the first $50 of unauthorized charges.
However, if you notify the credit card issuer before a thief is
able to make any charges you may be free from all liability.
If the credit card is not physically present when an
unauthorized or fraudulent purchase is made, such as over the
internet, you’re also free from liability for those charges.
MasterCard and Visa offer zero-liability protection where you
won’t pay any charges if someone uses your credit card to make
an unauthorized purchase.
The protection offered to debit card fraud is similar but with
a few exceptions. For example, your liability under federal
law is limited to $50, the same as for a credit card, but only
if you notify the issuer within two business days of
discovering the card's loss or theft. Your liability for
debit card fraud can jump up to $500 if you don’t report the
loss or theft within two business days.
And if you are the type of person that gives a passing glance
to your monthly bank statement, you could be totally liable for
any fraudulent debit card charges if you wait 60 days or more
from the time your statement is mailed.
Visa and MasterCard zero-liability protection applies to your
debit card but only for transactions that do not involve the
use of your PIN (personal identification number).
Additional protection against fraudulent use of your credit or
debit cards may be available through your homeowner’s or
renter’s insurance. Check your policy or with your agent for
more information about your coverage.
Also be aware that you should contact your card issuer by
certified letter, return receipt requested, after you’ve
contacted them by phone to protect your consumer rights.
As for which card to use for what type of purchase, most
experts agree that you should use your debit card for the same
type of purchases you’d make as if you were using cash.
Therefore, it makes more sense to use your debit card than your
credit card at the grocery store or gas station (provided you
have sufficient funds to cover these purchases of course).
Avoid using your debit card for any online purchase or for
something which is expensive. Why ? You’ll find it much
easier to dispute a charge when you use your credit card. If
your gold-plated, limited edition, hip-swinging Elvis wall
clock arrives broken, your credit card company will remove the
charge until the problem is resolved.
With your debit card you are stuck dealing with the merchant
directly to resolve any problems with a purchase, even if your
banking institution could really use a gold-plated, limited
edition, hip-swinging Elvis wall clock of their very own.
About the Author: © 2005,
http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com Author: James H. Dimmitt
James is editor of “To Your Credit” a FREE weekly newsletter
focusing on managing your personal finances and credit.
Subscribe and get a FREE copy of your credit report when you
visit: http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Monday, April 16, 2007
Credit Card Machines 802 Home
Low Cost Credit Card Processing
By Thomas Morva
Low cost and efficient credit card processing is very important to the success of any online or offline business. Low cost credit card processing involves a cheaper means to accept credit card numbers, apply them to the merchant's account, and obtain payment from the creditor for the amount. A business?s success or failure depends on whether or not it accepts credit card orders.
Low cost credit card processing is indispensable to raise the profitability of your business. Many people waste considerable amounts of money on extravagant processing. Often, processing statements are so difficult to read that it is virtually impossible to estimate how much money you are actually paying. Low cost credit card processing helps you run a more successful business operation.
In the United States, the cost of credit card processing is about $10 to $20 (per month) in flat fees, plus a small percentage of your sales, known as a discount rate. The discount rate is as low as 1.69% for an offline business, while discount rate for mail order and online merchants is about 2.19%. Using a low cost credit card processing technique, the transaction fee averages only about 25 cents for all merchants.
Low cost credit card processing falls into three types. The first is using a virtual terminal that allows manual addition of mail. The second employs a simple integration technique that connects your website directly to the credit card and bank system. The third type uses an advanced mechanism for custom-linking your system to other more composite systems using a transaction gateway server.
Lots of card processing companies offer you reliable, low cost and comprehensive credit card processing. A reliable low cost credit card processing service uses modern encryption technology to ensure security.
Credit Card Processing provides detailed information on Credit Card Processing, Online Credit Card Processing, Credit Card Processing Software, Wireless Credit Card Processing and more. Credit Card Processing is affiliated with Wireless Credit Card Terminals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva
http://EzineArticles.com/?Low-Cost-Credit-Card-Processing&id=353157
By Thomas Morva
Low cost and efficient credit card processing is very important to the success of any online or offline business. Low cost credit card processing involves a cheaper means to accept credit card numbers, apply them to the merchant's account, and obtain payment from the creditor for the amount. A business?s success or failure depends on whether or not it accepts credit card orders.
Low cost credit card processing is indispensable to raise the profitability of your business. Many people waste considerable amounts of money on extravagant processing. Often, processing statements are so difficult to read that it is virtually impossible to estimate how much money you are actually paying. Low cost credit card processing helps you run a more successful business operation.
In the United States, the cost of credit card processing is about $10 to $20 (per month) in flat fees, plus a small percentage of your sales, known as a discount rate. The discount rate is as low as 1.69% for an offline business, while discount rate for mail order and online merchants is about 2.19%. Using a low cost credit card processing technique, the transaction fee averages only about 25 cents for all merchants.
Low cost credit card processing falls into three types. The first is using a virtual terminal that allows manual addition of mail. The second employs a simple integration technique that connects your website directly to the credit card and bank system. The third type uses an advanced mechanism for custom-linking your system to other more composite systems using a transaction gateway server.
Lots of card processing companies offer you reliable, low cost and comprehensive credit card processing. A reliable low cost credit card processing service uses modern encryption technology to ensure security.
Credit Card Processing provides detailed information on Credit Card Processing, Online Credit Card Processing, Credit Card Processing Software, Wireless Credit Card Processing and more. Credit Card Processing is affiliated with Wireless Credit Card Terminals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva
http://EzineArticles.com/?Low-Cost-Credit-Card-Processing&id=353157
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Credit Card Machines 802 Home
Credit Card Processing Terminals
By Thomas Morva
Today, about 80% of customers choose credit cards to pay for online products and services. If an online firm doesn?t possess credit card payment facilities, certainly it loses consumers and sales. Credit card payments are safe and secure, and they guarantee the best customer service. Besides, these payments give a more professional look to any business.
Several different types of credit card processing terminals are available in today's market. These terminals are also referred to as point of sale (POS) terminals. Their type and style depend on the kind of business and style of credit card processing. Prices also vary according to their functions and the technology they use.
Card readers with a small keypad and display are the most basic form of the POS. These are the most economical type of terminals. A credit card processing terminal first checks the customer?s card information. After that, it withdraws money for the purchase from his account and places it directly into the merchant account.
Most merchants prefer a terminal without an attached printer, while retail merchants usually go for a terminal with an integrated printer. There are also wireless machines that are more costly, but the processing volume supports their cost. Wireless credit card processing terminals are mainly used for businesses that continually change their location. Door-to-door salesmen, taxi cab drivers, and seasonal shop owners are the main other consumers of wireless terminals.
Manual credit card processing is a difficult task and it is more time consuming too. The finest choice is to automate your manual credit card processing machine, if possible. Credit card processing machines use different software packages that provide for instant processing, and encrypted SSL (secure socket layer) for safe deals. Of course, any leaks or losses of personal information immediately break the credibility of a business.
Some latest credit card processing terminals can handle multiple merchant accounts. Examples include Nurit 2085, Omni 3750, Nurit 3020, Omni 3740, and Verifone Tranz 380x2. All these terminals provide retailers a fast, low-cost way to approve and process credit card sales.
Credit Card Processing provides detailed information on Credit Card Processing, Online Credit Card Processing, Credit Card Processing Software, Wireless Credit Card Processing and more. Credit Card Processing is affiliated with Wireless Credit Card Terminals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva
http://EzineArticles.com/?Credit-Card-Processing-Terminals&id=353153
By Thomas Morva
Today, about 80% of customers choose credit cards to pay for online products and services. If an online firm doesn?t possess credit card payment facilities, certainly it loses consumers and sales. Credit card payments are safe and secure, and they guarantee the best customer service. Besides, these payments give a more professional look to any business.
Several different types of credit card processing terminals are available in today's market. These terminals are also referred to as point of sale (POS) terminals. Their type and style depend on the kind of business and style of credit card processing. Prices also vary according to their functions and the technology they use.
Card readers with a small keypad and display are the most basic form of the POS. These are the most economical type of terminals. A credit card processing terminal first checks the customer?s card information. After that, it withdraws money for the purchase from his account and places it directly into the merchant account.
Most merchants prefer a terminal without an attached printer, while retail merchants usually go for a terminal with an integrated printer. There are also wireless machines that are more costly, but the processing volume supports their cost. Wireless credit card processing terminals are mainly used for businesses that continually change their location. Door-to-door salesmen, taxi cab drivers, and seasonal shop owners are the main other consumers of wireless terminals.
Manual credit card processing is a difficult task and it is more time consuming too. The finest choice is to automate your manual credit card processing machine, if possible. Credit card processing machines use different software packages that provide for instant processing, and encrypted SSL (secure socket layer) for safe deals. Of course, any leaks or losses of personal information immediately break the credibility of a business.
Some latest credit card processing terminals can handle multiple merchant accounts. Examples include Nurit 2085, Omni 3750, Nurit 3020, Omni 3740, and Verifone Tranz 380x2. All these terminals provide retailers a fast, low-cost way to approve and process credit card sales.
Credit Card Processing provides detailed information on Credit Card Processing, Online Credit Card Processing, Credit Card Processing Software, Wireless Credit Card Processing and more. Credit Card Processing is affiliated with Wireless Credit Card Terminals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva
http://EzineArticles.com/?Credit-Card-Processing-Terminals&id=353153
Friday, April 13, 2007
Credit Card Machines 802 Home
The Cost of Leasing a Credit Card Machine
By Jamie Estep
Leasing credit card machines and equipment is a common practice for many new business owners. When a business starts out, they are often met with a barrage of telemarketers and companies offering to help them to accept credit cards. Because of the new business owner's extremely busy schedule and lack of knowledge regarding the credit card processing industry, owners are often convinced that leasing a credit card terminal is the best solution for their business.
In reality, leasing a credit card machine is far from the best interest. For most businesses, a simple swipe and print credit card machine is a perfectly acceptable method of accepting credit cards. What many new business owners fail to do, is investigate the actual price of a new credit card machine. What they would find is that the outright purchase of a credit card terminal is often a completely reasonably priced purchase, and usually is many times less costly than a lease. What would cost them two to three hundred dollars to own, can cost them thousands of dollars to lease. Money is very tight, especially during the startup phase of a business, and the extra money spent on leasing a credit card machine is most definitely better suited elsewhere.
Leasing credit card equipment became a standard in the eighties and early nineties, when the lack of consumer knowledge and a growing processing industry led to the portrayal of high priced processing equipment. During this time fifty dollar per month leases were not uncommon. Since the creation of the internet, consumers have access to a vast amount of information. Processing companies can no longer easily inflate the costs of processing equipment. Now, new business owners are virtually the only group susceptible to getting scammed into a lease. This is due mainly to time constraints and a lack of research on their part.
Leases do still play a role in obtaining credit card equipment, but should only be considered when the required equipment is very high priced. Wireless terminals, while becoming more affordable, can still be a considerable investment. Wireless terminals can still cost over a thousand dollars to purchase which is definitely a significant amount of money. Leasing a wireless terminal can alleviate some of this cost, but business owners should still be aware that they will pay more than the cost of the terminal in the end.
Leases also often come with strings attached, or more appropriately a web of strings attached. Lease commonly last for thirty six to forty eight months, but can be in any increment from twelve months up to forty eight. The shorter the lease, the higher the monthly payment. Leases are also normally non cancel-able for the duration of the lease. There may be considerable penalties for canceling a lease before its term is up. Leases are not always for ownership of the equipment, and hefty buyout fees can occur at the end of the lease. Some leases start over at the end of their term, and the business only has a short window to opt out of the lease. Businesses should be aware of the terms governing the lease before they even contemplate signing it. Signing a lease without fully understanding what is involved in it and fully calculating the cost of the lease can be an extremely expensive mistake.
Enter your lease information into the lease cost calculator to find out how much extra leasing will cost you compared to purchasing.
Copyright 2006 Jamie Estep, The Merchant Account Blog.
Jamie Estep runs the website: (The Merchant Account Blog) and offers information and advice on topics relating to credit card processing. The Merchant Account Blog also has a lease cost calculator where businesses can compare the costs of an equipment lease to purchasing a terminal outright. (Credit Card Terminal Lease Calculator)
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Estep
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Cost-of-Leasing-a-Credit-Card-Machine&id=190057
By Jamie Estep
Leasing credit card machines and equipment is a common practice for many new business owners. When a business starts out, they are often met with a barrage of telemarketers and companies offering to help them to accept credit cards. Because of the new business owner's extremely busy schedule and lack of knowledge regarding the credit card processing industry, owners are often convinced that leasing a credit card terminal is the best solution for their business.
In reality, leasing a credit card machine is far from the best interest. For most businesses, a simple swipe and print credit card machine is a perfectly acceptable method of accepting credit cards. What many new business owners fail to do, is investigate the actual price of a new credit card machine. What they would find is that the outright purchase of a credit card terminal is often a completely reasonably priced purchase, and usually is many times less costly than a lease. What would cost them two to three hundred dollars to own, can cost them thousands of dollars to lease. Money is very tight, especially during the startup phase of a business, and the extra money spent on leasing a credit card machine is most definitely better suited elsewhere.
Leasing credit card equipment became a standard in the eighties and early nineties, when the lack of consumer knowledge and a growing processing industry led to the portrayal of high priced processing equipment. During this time fifty dollar per month leases were not uncommon. Since the creation of the internet, consumers have access to a vast amount of information. Processing companies can no longer easily inflate the costs of processing equipment. Now, new business owners are virtually the only group susceptible to getting scammed into a lease. This is due mainly to time constraints and a lack of research on their part.
Leases do still play a role in obtaining credit card equipment, but should only be considered when the required equipment is very high priced. Wireless terminals, while becoming more affordable, can still be a considerable investment. Wireless terminals can still cost over a thousand dollars to purchase which is definitely a significant amount of money. Leasing a wireless terminal can alleviate some of this cost, but business owners should still be aware that they will pay more than the cost of the terminal in the end.
Leases also often come with strings attached, or more appropriately a web of strings attached. Lease commonly last for thirty six to forty eight months, but can be in any increment from twelve months up to forty eight. The shorter the lease, the higher the monthly payment. Leases are also normally non cancel-able for the duration of the lease. There may be considerable penalties for canceling a lease before its term is up. Leases are not always for ownership of the equipment, and hefty buyout fees can occur at the end of the lease. Some leases start over at the end of their term, and the business only has a short window to opt out of the lease. Businesses should be aware of the terms governing the lease before they even contemplate signing it. Signing a lease without fully understanding what is involved in it and fully calculating the cost of the lease can be an extremely expensive mistake.
Enter your lease information into the lease cost calculator to find out how much extra leasing will cost you compared to purchasing.
Copyright 2006 Jamie Estep, The Merchant Account Blog.
Jamie Estep runs the website: (The Merchant Account Blog) and offers information and advice on topics relating to credit card processing. The Merchant Account Blog also has a lease cost calculator where businesses can compare the costs of an equipment lease to purchasing a terminal outright. (Credit Card Terminal Lease Calculator)
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Estep
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Cost-of-Leasing-a-Credit-Card-Machine&id=190057
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Credit Card Machines 802 Home
Identity Theft - Who Is Using Your Credit Card?
By Joseph Kenny
Sometimes you get a shock when you open your credit card statement, and it's not just because of the phenomenal amount you spent on clothes last month. Occasionally there may be transactions on your credit card statement that don't look familiar. Sometimes this is a simple banking error, but it's worth paying attention, because you may be a victim of identity theft.
What Is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is the theft of personal information that can be used to identify individuals. It is closely related to identity fraud, which is the use of that information to obtain goods and services by deception. Identity fraud may also mean using that information to create a false identity.
Signs Of Identity Theft
Aside from the appearance of unrecognized transactions on your credit card or bank statements, other signs of identity theft are:
- Getting bills, invoices or receipts for goods or services you haven't ordered
- Getting turned down for a credit card or loan in spite of having a good credit rating
- Finding that a mobile phone contract has been set up in your name without your knowledge
- Receiving letters from solicitors or debt collectors for debts that you know nothing about
- Your post goes missing
- Someone seems to be messing with your rubbish bags
How Does Identity Theft Happen?
There are many ways in which identity fraudsters can get hold of your personal information. In some cases, this may be through theft of your wallet or purse, burglary of your home, or pilfering from your letterbox. Identity fraudsters look for personal information such as your name, address, date of birth and so on. These can help them to set up new identities and even fraudulent businesses.
Other ways of stealing your identity include:
- Diverting your post through a change of address form
- Hacking into your computer to get hold of private information
- Monitoring ATM transactions or using special machines to get your PIN number
Fraudsters who get hold of your personal information will find it easy to open bank accounts, get credit card, loans, passports, driving licences and benefits in your name. They are unlikely to be strict about making payments on time, so it is your credit rating that will be affected.
How To Protect Against Identity Theft
There are many ways to make it more difficult for identity fraudsters to get hold of your personal information. First of all, get a copy of your personal credit file from time to time. This is inexpensive and you will be able to see if anyone has applied for credit in your name.
Let banks and credit card companies know when you move house and get your mail redirected. This will make it more difficult for someone to steal your letters and identity. At the same time, it's worth checking that no-one is redirecting your mail without your consent.
Keep personal documents in a locked filing cabinet, safe or drawer or in a bank safety deposit box. Receipts should be shredded immediately if you don’t want them. Throwing them away makes it easy for fraudsters to get credit card numbers. If personal documents (passports, driving licences, credit cards, debit cards and so on) are lost or stolen report the loss immediately.
Finally, keep your PIN and your passwords secure. The fewer people who know about them, the less likely they are to get into the wrong hands.
Joe Kenny writes for the Card Guide, a UK credit card site, apply for a 0% balance transfer credit cards to clear your credit card debt today.
Visit today: http://www.cardguide.co.uk/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Kenny
http://EzineArticles.com/?Identity-Theft---Who-Is-Using-Your-Credit-Card?&id=311692
By Joseph Kenny
Sometimes you get a shock when you open your credit card statement, and it's not just because of the phenomenal amount you spent on clothes last month. Occasionally there may be transactions on your credit card statement that don't look familiar. Sometimes this is a simple banking error, but it's worth paying attention, because you may be a victim of identity theft.
What Is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is the theft of personal information that can be used to identify individuals. It is closely related to identity fraud, which is the use of that information to obtain goods and services by deception. Identity fraud may also mean using that information to create a false identity.
Signs Of Identity Theft
Aside from the appearance of unrecognized transactions on your credit card or bank statements, other signs of identity theft are:
- Getting bills, invoices or receipts for goods or services you haven't ordered
- Getting turned down for a credit card or loan in spite of having a good credit rating
- Finding that a mobile phone contract has been set up in your name without your knowledge
- Receiving letters from solicitors or debt collectors for debts that you know nothing about
- Your post goes missing
- Someone seems to be messing with your rubbish bags
How Does Identity Theft Happen?
There are many ways in which identity fraudsters can get hold of your personal information. In some cases, this may be through theft of your wallet or purse, burglary of your home, or pilfering from your letterbox. Identity fraudsters look for personal information such as your name, address, date of birth and so on. These can help them to set up new identities and even fraudulent businesses.
Other ways of stealing your identity include:
- Diverting your post through a change of address form
- Hacking into your computer to get hold of private information
- Monitoring ATM transactions or using special machines to get your PIN number
Fraudsters who get hold of your personal information will find it easy to open bank accounts, get credit card, loans, passports, driving licences and benefits in your name. They are unlikely to be strict about making payments on time, so it is your credit rating that will be affected.
How To Protect Against Identity Theft
There are many ways to make it more difficult for identity fraudsters to get hold of your personal information. First of all, get a copy of your personal credit file from time to time. This is inexpensive and you will be able to see if anyone has applied for credit in your name.
Let banks and credit card companies know when you move house and get your mail redirected. This will make it more difficult for someone to steal your letters and identity. At the same time, it's worth checking that no-one is redirecting your mail without your consent.
Keep personal documents in a locked filing cabinet, safe or drawer or in a bank safety deposit box. Receipts should be shredded immediately if you don’t want them. Throwing them away makes it easy for fraudsters to get credit card numbers. If personal documents (passports, driving licences, credit cards, debit cards and so on) are lost or stolen report the loss immediately.
Finally, keep your PIN and your passwords secure. The fewer people who know about them, the less likely they are to get into the wrong hands.
Joe Kenny writes for the Card Guide, a UK credit card site, apply for a 0% balance transfer credit cards to clear your credit card debt today.
Visit today: http://www.cardguide.co.uk/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Kenny
http://EzineArticles.com/?Identity-Theft---Who-Is-Using-Your-Credit-Card?&id=311692
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Credit Card Machines 802 Home
High Risk Merchant Processing
By Kent Pinkerton
Merchant accounts are bank accounts specifically designed to accept credit card payments. Such payments can be made by customers at either the store itself through a credit card terminal or online through a shopping cart made in the web page of the company.
To accept a credit card payment, a merchant first requires an Internet merchant account in a bank or financial institution.
Merchants who have a high-risk business such as adult services providers, online gaming business, casinos, find it hard to obtain a merchant account. This is because of the risks of credit card frauds increase with of the high turn-over involved. The result is that banks shy away from providing Internet accounts to these merchants, who can then turn to private acquiring institutions to provide them merchant account services.
After obtaining a merchant account, the merchant would require a payment gateway account. This is basically the processing account, which verifies the authenticity of the credit card and then transfers the funds to the merchant account.
The customer enters his credit card information on the merchant’s web page. This should take place on a secure web page, meaning that the information collected in this web page should be encrypted so that it cannot be read by any third party. This is mandatory to reduce credit card frauds. Next, the shopping cart program then compiles the information and transmits the same to the credit processor, which is the payment gateway. The card processor verifies the information and determines the company that manages the customer’s credit card, and then transmits the billing request.
Upon receiving the request, the credit card company validates the accounts and ensures everything is in order. It then sends back an acknowledgement to the payment gateway. If the information is found to be authentic, the credit processor initiates the transfer of the funds to the merchant account.
The merchant account collects the funds for a certain specified period of time, after which it transfers the amount to the merchant’s regular bank account.
The merchants also have the choice of opting for a third party merchant account. Here, the merchant account provider company collects the funds on the behalf of the merchant.
Processing fees for third party merchant account providers are higher than of a personal merchant account. The processing of merchant accounts works in the same way for both merchant accounts and third party accounts. The only difference is that instead of paying directly in the merchant’s website, the customers are directed to pay in the third party processor website. The customers enter their credit card details in the third party processor’s website and the rest of the process works the same way.
High Risk Merchant Accounts provides detailed information about high risk merchant accounts, high risk offshore merchant accounts and more. High Risk Merchant Accounts is affiliated with Background Checks.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Pinkerton
http://EzineArticles.com/?High-Risk-Merchant-Processing&id=131761
By Kent Pinkerton
Merchant accounts are bank accounts specifically designed to accept credit card payments. Such payments can be made by customers at either the store itself through a credit card terminal or online through a shopping cart made in the web page of the company.
To accept a credit card payment, a merchant first requires an Internet merchant account in a bank or financial institution.
Merchants who have a high-risk business such as adult services providers, online gaming business, casinos, find it hard to obtain a merchant account. This is because of the risks of credit card frauds increase with of the high turn-over involved. The result is that banks shy away from providing Internet accounts to these merchants, who can then turn to private acquiring institutions to provide them merchant account services.
After obtaining a merchant account, the merchant would require a payment gateway account. This is basically the processing account, which verifies the authenticity of the credit card and then transfers the funds to the merchant account.
The customer enters his credit card information on the merchant’s web page. This should take place on a secure web page, meaning that the information collected in this web page should be encrypted so that it cannot be read by any third party. This is mandatory to reduce credit card frauds. Next, the shopping cart program then compiles the information and transmits the same to the credit processor, which is the payment gateway. The card processor verifies the information and determines the company that manages the customer’s credit card, and then transmits the billing request.
Upon receiving the request, the credit card company validates the accounts and ensures everything is in order. It then sends back an acknowledgement to the payment gateway. If the information is found to be authentic, the credit processor initiates the transfer of the funds to the merchant account.
The merchant account collects the funds for a certain specified period of time, after which it transfers the amount to the merchant’s regular bank account.
The merchants also have the choice of opting for a third party merchant account. Here, the merchant account provider company collects the funds on the behalf of the merchant.
Processing fees for third party merchant account providers are higher than of a personal merchant account. The processing of merchant accounts works in the same way for both merchant accounts and third party accounts. The only difference is that instead of paying directly in the merchant’s website, the customers are directed to pay in the third party processor website. The customers enter their credit card details in the third party processor’s website and the rest of the process works the same way.
High Risk Merchant Accounts provides detailed information about high risk merchant accounts, high risk offshore merchant accounts and more. High Risk Merchant Accounts is affiliated with Background Checks.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Pinkerton
http://EzineArticles.com/?High-Risk-Merchant-Processing&id=131761
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Credit Card Machines 802 Home
Does Free Credit Card Processing Exist
By Sara K
Many 3rd party credit card companies boast about providing merchants with free credit card processing services. Tempting merchants with a free credit card processing service, they brag about accepting credit cards online on behalf of the merchants, with low processing fees, extra costs etc.
What the Free Credit Card Companies boast about
Many 3rd party processing companies say that they would provide merchants with:
* Least expensive ways to sell products online
* Easy way to earn profits
* Free credit card processing services without a merchant account
* Free credit card processing terminal
* Real-time acceptance of credit cards online
* Offering too-good-to-be-true referral programs
* Recurring billing and lofty affiliate management programs.
Free Credit Card Processing – Long Term Benefits?
Free credit card processing might help businessmen promote their website and products for a while, especially if they are only just starting up, but there are no real long term benefits. Merchants initially don’t have to pay for secure servers, monthly gateway fees, credit card processing fees etc. However, the transaction charges are usually so high that merchants end up paying more than the average rate.
Setbacks of Free Credit Card Processing
There are many free credit card processing service providers who claim to give away free services. However, as always there is a catch! There will be payment processing charges such as merchant account registration fee, “high risk” merchant fee, statements fees, monthly fees, wire fees and fraud prevention fees etc. What merchants can do to avoid becoming victims of such ‘free’ programs is to read the privacy policy and terms/conditions on the website for the certain program, or ask more experienced and trusted business owners regarding such companies. This will save merchants the hassle and loss liable to occur once trapped for the free credit card processing.
Credit card processing offered by some companies might initially be free but there are other hidden charges and setbacks which the potential victim might not know about, in such a situation only extensive research and precaution can help avoid one from becoming the next prey of ‘free’ credit card processing.
At http://www.instabill.com we provide our merchant account holders with the most reliable credit card processing services. Whether you have a high risk merchant account or an offshore merchant account, our credit card processors are safe, reliable and secure, that is why merchants worldwide trust us merchant account services.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sara_K
http://EzineArticles.com/?Does-Free-Credit-Card-Processing-Exist&id=379209
By Sara K
Many 3rd party credit card companies boast about providing merchants with free credit card processing services. Tempting merchants with a free credit card processing service, they brag about accepting credit cards online on behalf of the merchants, with low processing fees, extra costs etc.
What the Free Credit Card Companies boast about
Many 3rd party processing companies say that they would provide merchants with:
* Least expensive ways to sell products online
* Easy way to earn profits
* Free credit card processing services without a merchant account
* Free credit card processing terminal
* Real-time acceptance of credit cards online
* Offering too-good-to-be-true referral programs
* Recurring billing and lofty affiliate management programs.
Free Credit Card Processing – Long Term Benefits?
Free credit card processing might help businessmen promote their website and products for a while, especially if they are only just starting up, but there are no real long term benefits. Merchants initially don’t have to pay for secure servers, monthly gateway fees, credit card processing fees etc. However, the transaction charges are usually so high that merchants end up paying more than the average rate.
Setbacks of Free Credit Card Processing
There are many free credit card processing service providers who claim to give away free services. However, as always there is a catch! There will be payment processing charges such as merchant account registration fee, “high risk” merchant fee, statements fees, monthly fees, wire fees and fraud prevention fees etc. What merchants can do to avoid becoming victims of such ‘free’ programs is to read the privacy policy and terms/conditions on the website for the certain program, or ask more experienced and trusted business owners regarding such companies. This will save merchants the hassle and loss liable to occur once trapped for the free credit card processing.
Credit card processing offered by some companies might initially be free but there are other hidden charges and setbacks which the potential victim might not know about, in such a situation only extensive research and precaution can help avoid one from becoming the next prey of ‘free’ credit card processing.
At http://www.instabill.com we provide our merchant account holders with the most reliable credit card processing services. Whether you have a high risk merchant account or an offshore merchant account, our credit card processors are safe, reliable and secure, that is why merchants worldwide trust us merchant account services.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sara_K
http://EzineArticles.com/?Does-Free-Credit-Card-Processing-Exist&id=379209
Monday, April 9, 2007
Credit Card Machines 802 Home
The Cost of Leasing a Credit Card Machine
By Jamie Estep
Leasing credit card machines and equipment is a common practice for many new business owners. When a business starts out, they are often met with a barrage of telemarketers and companies offering to help them to accept credit cards. Because of the new business owner's extremely busy schedule and lack of knowledge regarding the credit card processing industry, owners are often convinced that leasing a credit card terminal is the best solution for their business.
In reality, leasing a credit card machine is far from the best interest. For most businesses, a simple swipe and print credit card machine is a perfectly acceptable method of accepting credit cards. What many new business owners fail to do, is investigate the actual price of a new credit card machine. What they would find is that the outright purchase of a credit card terminal is often a completely reasonably priced purchase, and usually is many times less costly than a lease. What would cost them two to three hundred dollars to own, can cost them thousands of dollars to lease. Money is very tight, especially during the startup phase of a business, and the extra money spent on leasing a credit card machine is most definitely better suited elsewhere.
Leasing credit card equipment became a standard in the eighties and early nineties, when the lack of consumer knowledge and a growing processing industry led to the portrayal of high priced processing equipment. During this time fifty dollar per month leases were not uncommon. Since the creation of the internet, consumers have access to a vast amount of information. Processing companies can no longer easily inflate the costs of processing equipment. Now, new business owners are virtually the only group susceptible to getting scammed into a lease. This is due mainly to time constraints and a lack of research on their part.
Leases do still play a role in obtaining credit card equipment, but should only be considered when the required equipment is very high priced. Wireless terminals, while becoming more affordable, can still be a considerable investment. Wireless terminals can still cost over a thousand dollars to purchase which is definitely a significant amount of money. Leasing a wireless terminal can alleviate some of this cost, but business owners should still be aware that they will pay more than the cost of the terminal in the end.
Leases also often come with strings attached, or more appropriately a web of strings attached. Lease commonly last for thirty six to forty eight months, but can be in any increment from twelve months up to forty eight. The shorter the lease, the higher the monthly payment. Leases are also normally non cancel-able for the duration of the lease. There may be considerable penalties for canceling a lease before its term is up. Leases are not always for ownership of the equipment, and hefty buyout fees can occur at the end of the lease. Some leases start over at the end of their term, and the business only has a short window to opt out of the lease. Businesses should be aware of the terms governing the lease before they even contemplate signing it. Signing a lease without fully understanding what is involved in it and fully calculating the cost of the lease can be an extremely expensive mistake.
Enter your lease information into the lease cost calculator to find out how much extra leasing will cost you compared to purchasing.
Copyright 2006 Jamie Estep, The Merchant Account Blog.
Jamie Estep runs the website: (The Merchant Account Blog) and offers information and advice on topics relating to credit card processing. The Merchant Account Blog also has a lease cost calculator where businesses can compare the costs of an equipment lease to purchasing a terminal outright. (Credit Card Terminal Lease Calculator)
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Estep
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Cost-of-Leasing-a-Credit-Card-Machine&id=190057
By Jamie Estep
Leasing credit card machines and equipment is a common practice for many new business owners. When a business starts out, they are often met with a barrage of telemarketers and companies offering to help them to accept credit cards. Because of the new business owner's extremely busy schedule and lack of knowledge regarding the credit card processing industry, owners are often convinced that leasing a credit card terminal is the best solution for their business.
In reality, leasing a credit card machine is far from the best interest. For most businesses, a simple swipe and print credit card machine is a perfectly acceptable method of accepting credit cards. What many new business owners fail to do, is investigate the actual price of a new credit card machine. What they would find is that the outright purchase of a credit card terminal is often a completely reasonably priced purchase, and usually is many times less costly than a lease. What would cost them two to three hundred dollars to own, can cost them thousands of dollars to lease. Money is very tight, especially during the startup phase of a business, and the extra money spent on leasing a credit card machine is most definitely better suited elsewhere.
Leasing credit card equipment became a standard in the eighties and early nineties, when the lack of consumer knowledge and a growing processing industry led to the portrayal of high priced processing equipment. During this time fifty dollar per month leases were not uncommon. Since the creation of the internet, consumers have access to a vast amount of information. Processing companies can no longer easily inflate the costs of processing equipment. Now, new business owners are virtually the only group susceptible to getting scammed into a lease. This is due mainly to time constraints and a lack of research on their part.
Leases do still play a role in obtaining credit card equipment, but should only be considered when the required equipment is very high priced. Wireless terminals, while becoming more affordable, can still be a considerable investment. Wireless terminals can still cost over a thousand dollars to purchase which is definitely a significant amount of money. Leasing a wireless terminal can alleviate some of this cost, but business owners should still be aware that they will pay more than the cost of the terminal in the end.
Leases also often come with strings attached, or more appropriately a web of strings attached. Lease commonly last for thirty six to forty eight months, but can be in any increment from twelve months up to forty eight. The shorter the lease, the higher the monthly payment. Leases are also normally non cancel-able for the duration of the lease. There may be considerable penalties for canceling a lease before its term is up. Leases are not always for ownership of the equipment, and hefty buyout fees can occur at the end of the lease. Some leases start over at the end of their term, and the business only has a short window to opt out of the lease. Businesses should be aware of the terms governing the lease before they even contemplate signing it. Signing a lease without fully understanding what is involved in it and fully calculating the cost of the lease can be an extremely expensive mistake.
Enter your lease information into the lease cost calculator to find out how much extra leasing will cost you compared to purchasing.
Copyright 2006 Jamie Estep, The Merchant Account Blog.
Jamie Estep runs the website: (The Merchant Account Blog) and offers information and advice on topics relating to credit card processing. The Merchant Account Blog also has a lease cost calculator where businesses can compare the costs of an equipment lease to purchasing a terminal outright. (Credit Card Terminal Lease Calculator)
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http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Cost-of-Leasing-a-Credit-Card-Machine&id=190057
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