by: Matt Clarkson
If you're like most people, you've heard a lot about online banking but probably haven't tried it yourself. You still pay your bills by mail and deposit checks at your bank branch, much the way your parents did.
You might shop online for a loan, life insurance or a home mortgage, but when it comes time to commit, you feel more comfortable working with your banker or an agent you know and trust rather than use online banking.
Online banking isn't out to change your money habits. Instead, it uses today's computer technology to give you the option of bypassing the time-consuming, paper-based aspects of traditional banking in order to manage your finances more quickly and easily.
Today, most large national banks, many regional banks and even smaller banks and credit unions offer some form of online banking or Internet banking. Some banks have no physical branches or tellers whatsoever and their whole business revolves entirely around online banking.
Credit card fraud costs cardholders and issuers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. While theft is the most obvious form of credit card fraud, it can occur in other ways. For example, someone may use your card number without your knowledge.
It's not always possible to prevent credit card fraud from happening. But there are a few steps you can take to make it more difficult for a crook to capture your card or card numbers and minimize the possibility. Here are some tips to help protect yourself from credit card fraud.
Sign your cards as soon as they arrive. Keep a record of your account numbers and their expiration dates in a secure place. Keep an eye on your card during the transaction. Void incorrect receipts. Destroy carbons. Save receipts to compare with billing statements. Report any questionable charges promptly and in writing to the card issuer. Notify card companies in advance of a change in address. All this and more is required to help you avoid credit card fraud.