Online credit card processing

Thanks to credit cards, one can enjoy the best that life has to offer. Be it an amazing deal for which you couldnot visit the store for a purchase or you can't queue up to book tickets for your dream holiday. Using credit cards online comes as an easy way to get these things done in a jiffy.While it is easy to use credit cards, most customers find it difficult to pay them off. However, Credit cards have proved to be the best companions to help you manage finance, as the need arises. And with people getting more net savvy, online transactions have become a phenomenon. Internet has also made it easier for getting credit cards online. However some people are wary in applying online.

Keeping pace with the e-enabled lifestyle, the credit card industry is burgeoning at a pace parallel to the technological advancements. Today, the standard credit cards include MasterCard, Visa, American Express, HSBC, Diners Club and Citibank among others.

Different issuing banks have their own websites। Application forms are available on these sites. One has to just make sure that the filled in application form is secured. There is always a threat of scammers on the net. Hence one should be alert and careful.

How do I apply online

Firstly, choose a credit card issuer. There are various web sites that provide you information on credit card issuers.

Applications can be processed faster if you have an email address, driver's license and details related to income. In case of any existing loans, you must furnish the details. Most banks ask for details related to your present credit card, current balances and credit limits.

The applicant must be of 18 years and above in age. Few minutes after the submission of the application form, you shall get a confirmation. If you have a good credit rating, the application will be approved soon. It takes around three to five days to get your credit card.

With the technology getting better in simplifying lives, credit card companies are coming forth with innovative measures to provide qualitative service to their customers. For instance, the E Credit Card by American Express offers a powerful set of e-enabled features including automatic payment through a direct debit, access to card services and monthly statements on the net anywhere, anytime.

How does an online credit card transaction work

Once the credit card details are captured, the transaction must be authorized by the bank.If the card is valid with sufficient funds available, the bank reserves the funds and returns an "authorization code". This is an assurance to the merchant that the bank will reserve the stipulated amount of money on the cardholders account for a period of time. The merchant processes the settlement transaction, after which the money is transferred from the clients to the merchants account. The credit card processing depend on two important components, to handle payments:

• Internet Merchant Accounts: It is a separate bank account for the merchant, approved and capable of receiving credit card payments from credit card providers।
• The Payment Gateway Account: The payment gateway handles the verification and transfer requests।
  

Online shopping carts have configuration settings that allow a number of gateway choices. An internet merchant selects the shopping cart and web site hosting company and then orders the merchant account based on the gateways that are available in the shopping cart.

In case of a fraudulent transaction, the merchant has to bear the risk. So it gets imperative to ensure that the identity of the card holder is right.

Advanced cards such as Verified by Visa and MasterCard Securecode come in handy in safer transactions. The consumer is required to enter a password during a transaction to validate his identity.

What is required in a credit card transaction

Credit card transactions require the holder to provide details such as:

• Amount of purchase
• Sixteen digit credit card number
• Exact name as it appears on the credit card
• Expiry date of the credit card
• Type of card (for eg: MasterCard or Visa)
• Three digit card verification code (This is printed at the back of the card in continuation of card number)

Using credit cards online for booking tickets or shopping can be fun but beware...it can also mean more credit card numbers to steal. Extra caution becomes inevitable. As these tiny plastic cards get more popular, internet thieves get a chance to steal your credit cards details and thus misuse them.

Here's how you have a safer online transaction:

Go to an established vendor. Some auction players such as EBay provide a safe buying experience. Check out for large auction houses on the web.

Always go for a secure web browser. Check if the website is secure. If the credit card information page for a site begins with http:// and not https://, it s not secure. The s in https signifies a secure protocol is being used.

Monitor your monthly statements and check every small transaction.

Open and respond to only those mails coming from familiar people.

After buying, save records relating to the transaction.

Notify your financial institution in case of a suspicious email activity.

If a credit card issuer offers one-time use credit card numbers, then there is no scope for a problem in shopping online. One-time-use credit card numbers are generated by the credit card company and can be used only for a single transaction. So, even if the credit card information is intercepted by a hacker during or after the transaction, the card number doesn't serve any purpose.

All said and done, most of us wonder whether it is safe to use credit cards online.While it may never be fully possible to avoid risk, exercising caution and following the tips will certainly help in eliminating certain risks of using credit cards online.

*Credit card is a card given to a specific holder who is entitled with a credit line. A credit card holder can withdraw cash or make purchases on credit. After a specific period, the amount charged should be paid by the holder to the bank. Interest charges and annual fee charges must also be paid by the card holder.

Credit Card Application Instant Approval Online

You can get credit card application instant approval online from a high quality, secure web site such as BestCreditQuote.com. In many cases you will know in minutes if you have been approved. It will take maybe two minutes to complete the application and another minute or so for the credit card company to process your information to see if you qualify for their offer.
Upon approval, it will take a week or so to get your new credit card in the mail. In many cases, if you are exercising a balance transfer option, you will submit all of the relevant information necessary right on the application. The credit card company will then facilitate the transfer on your behalf. There is no need to contact your current card issuer. It will all be taken care of for you.
In many cases, to meet the requirements for credit card application instant approval, you must have a solid credit history. The competition amongst banks and credit card issuers such as Bank of America, Chase and Discover Card has become quite fierce in recent years. That is good news for the consumer. The issuers will do whatever is necessary to make it not only attractive, but easy to obtain.
There are also many different deals that allow for flexibility in choosing offers. Perhaps a rewards program is enticing for you. Or, if you travel often, an airline miles credit card will benefit you. In recent times, with gasoline prices rising, the gas rebate credit cards have become very popular. Many of these services offer instant online credit card approval.
There is absolutely no question that the Internet makes life a great deal easier for all of us. I especially appreciate the aspect that we are now able to easily and conveniently compare the various credit card offers using a single resource. I can't even imagine sorting through all of the applications sent through the mail to compare the terms, conditions and benefits of the many offers.
Credit card application instant approval online are also available to people with poor credit. The simple fact is that there are nowhere near as many options available than there are for consumers with good credit records. Finding a card that benefits your specific financial needs is a matter of doing your homework. The choices are many, but it is not one size fits all... do your homework.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton

Know well to use Credit Cards

Credit can make life so much easier. It allows us to enjoy things now while we pay for them later. Many of us would never become a homeowner or have a nice car if we had to save up the money to pay for them in cash. Every little emergency would be a major issue if it weren't for the convenience of a credit card. It can also help us get through tough times and allow us to keep up the lifestyle that we've become so used to.
Using credit can also cause financial ruin if it's not used wisely. Many people have gotten in over their heads and let their spending get out of control. It's actually pretty easy to spend more than you should when you have the means to do so; carrying a card is like having a pre-approved loan in your wallet. This convenience can cause you big problems if you aren't smart about your spending. Make an informed decision before you use credit for any purchase.
Using credit for everyday purchases like gas and groceries can be a convenient way to keep record of your spending, as long as you don't spend more than you normally would if you had to pay in cash. All the charges will show up on one statement and you can easily see what you're spending every month. This should be paid off in full by the grace period so you aren't paying interest on these disposable necessities. This can help you stick to a budget as long as you pay your entire balance every month.
Know what APR you are paying. If the balance isn't paid in full every month, finance charges will be added to the amount owed, and over time this can add up to a lot more than originally charged. We all love it when our favorite store is having a sale, but we wouldn't even consider shopping there if their sale banner read, "Everything in the store costs 20% more than the sticker price!" So why is it so easy to accept that you are paying 20% more than the sticker price by letting finance charges accrue? Know what using credit costs you before you "charge it."
If you can't pay the balance in full each month, you can pay it off within a couple of months. Get that balance down to zero as soon as you can afford to so you can reduce your interest costs. You should always pay more than the minimum payment unless times are really tough. If you've had an emergency, work is slow, or an otherwise bad month, paying just the minimum may get you through until things get better. Just don't forget that credit card companies are in the business to make money. Letting you pay a small amount on a big debt will increase your interest costs and their profit. If you are carrying a balance, take look at your current credit card statement, and compare the amount of interest charged this billing cycle with the minimum payment due. How will a $20 minimum payment make a dent in the balance when there is a $15 finance charge? It can take as long to pay off a credit card as it would for a home mortgage if you only pay the minimum payment every month, and that's if you never charge another thing again! You are committing yourself to a mountain of debt if you treat your credit card as if it were just another bill like your electricity or cable, and pay only the smallest amount they'll accept. You're credit card statement is not just a bill; it is a debt. You owe that amount for things you've already purchased and used; you don't want to pay interest on a dinner you had months ago, or on clothes that are out of style or no longer fit you. So pay it off before you are hit with any more interest charges!
Be cautious of balance transfer juggling acts. Credit card offers may entice you with a low introductory rate that later skyrockets. They hope you will shop more than you should or transfer balances from other credit cards because of their low intro rate. After you've had a chance to run your balance up, the interest rate will go up to their normal rate and they've got you. You might then be tempted to open yet another credit card account for another low intro rate. Transferring your balance might give you a chance to pay off your debt at a lower interest rate, but you have to be careful if you can't control your spending. If having more credit cards at your disposal will tempt you to shop more, close out the extra accounts once they're paid off. You should keep the one or two cards that give you the best terms and conditions, disregarding the introductory terms.
Study your credit card statement and see what you're are really using credit for. It's easy to forget about the little things you charge for everyday. A few relatively small, unnecessary purchases here and there can easily add up to many hundreds of dollars over the course of one month. Don't spend more on credit than you normally would if you were pulling cash out of your pocket. You might buy something because you think you're getting a good deal, but it's not a good deal if you are spending more than you can afford. If all your spending is truly on things you need, you should figure that balance amount into your budget and plan on paying it off each month. If you can't pay all your bills plus your credit card in full every month, it is a sure sign you are living beyond your means. It's time to cut back on the extras, reduce the expensive nights out, forego the designer clothes, and only buy what you really need.
Be very careful about taking out cash advances from credit cards. There may be a fee for doing it, plus you probably won't be given an interest-free grace period. Many credit card issuers will even charge a higher APR for cash advances than they do for purchases. Your credit card should be an absolute last resort if you need money. You could talk to your local bank about a personal line of credit if you often come across a need for cash withdrawals.
Pay your bill on time and stay within your credit limit. Overcharging or paying late can cost you hefty fees, and that's on top of the interest charges. People know that not paying their credit card bill for months will cause the account to be in default, but many don't realize that making just two payments one day late in a year can cause the default APR to go into effect with many card issuers. You have to be on top of this to avoid those extra charges; it's a double-whammy when you pay a penalty fee plus higher interest rates.
Know and comply with all the terms and conditions of your credit card. The basic information such as interest rate, grace period, annual fee, balance calculation method, and other fees will be included with any credit card solicitation. You won't get all the details of the terms and conditions until you apply for and receive the credit card. You will receive a small pamphlet with your card called the "Cardholder Agreement", or something similarly titled. This is a legal contract, and by opening the account you are agreeing to the details in that contract. It will contain specific information on how your account is handled; it is important to know the terms and conditions of the credit card before you start using it. If the card issuer changes the terms and conditions in the future, they are required to send you a new Cardholder Agreement describing the changes.
The credit card companies are glad that not everybody knows this, but even those terms and conditions in the Cardholder Agreement are not written in stone. You can negotiate with them to get better terms. It might not work if you don't have great credit, or you've had a less than perfect payment history with that particular creditor, but it's still worth a shot if it can save you money. Especially if you've been a good customer for a few years, you can oftentimes convince them to do away with an annual fee or lower your interest rate. I've done it a few times; it seems to work well when they know you might have options better than them. It also seems to work better when you have a low or zero balance, because it's easier to convince them that you really don't need them, you're very capable of paying off and closing your account, and that you might shop more if the terms on the card are better. Be honest with them, but you might try something like, "I've decided I have too many credit cards, and I want to close the accounts that charge higher interest. You are one of my higher interest accounts. Is the APR you are charging me the best you can do? I might consider keeping this account open and using it more if the terms were better." Or, you can try, "I've been very happy with your service, but I have another credit card that doesn't charge an annual fee. I don't want to pay for the use of your card every year when I already have enough credit available to me. I would like to keep this account open if you can do away with the annual fee." Try it and you might be pleasantly surprised. The credit card issuers would rather give you better terms and keep your business than to lose you completely.
Credit cards can be a wonderfully convenient way to pay for those everyday expenses, as long as we are responsible with our spending. Many consumers will someday face bankruptcy because of poor financial habits. Educate yourself and know what it is you are getting into before it gets out of hand. Credit can really make life simple if you use it the right way for the right reasons. If you use credit wisely, you can have free use of somebody else's money every month. Just never forget that every time you swipe your card, you are taking out a loan; that loan will have to be paid back, the sooner you pay it, the better.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Tomkins