Online Business Credit Card security

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Online Business Credit Card security

When using your business credit card online it is important to be constantly vigilant against instances of fraud. Although the trend toward online card fraud is slowing, from a rise of 29% in 2004-2005 to a rise of only 5% in 2005-2006, there are still many cases reported. Luckily there are some very simple ways that you can help protect yourself, and your finances. You must remember, though, that the most common cause of fraudulent activity is when your card number is gathered by a criminal in the real world, perhaps when you are queuing in a shop. The greatest innovation in business, and general, credit card security is the introduction of MasterCard SecureCode and Verified by Visa. If you are using a card online it is important to make sure that you sign up with one of these services, depending on who manages your card payment transactions. They are free and help to prevent unauthorised card use by allowing you to password protect your Internet card use. It is also good to know that these services do not require the ordering of new card and don't need you to download any software to work.

There are many card fraud scams involving unsolicited emails and any email asking for your card details should be treated with extreme caution. Even emails offering links to official websites should be avoided if possible. It is perhaps safer for you to enter any website addresses yourself, or link from a trusted source such as one of the major search engines. If you do choose to link from an email, perhaps one that you trust, you should check the address in the address bar. Fake websites will often have unusual addresses. Fraudulent links in emails can redirect you to pretty much anything, from bank sites to specific goods and services. Criminals are constantly coming up with new schemes so perhaps the safest thing to do is simply ignore the lot.

Remember that no genuine website is going to ask for your business credit card PIN number. It has been agreed across the board that PIN numbers will not be used online. The majority of websites do however ask for your cards security code, the three digit number on the back of the card. If a site does ask for your PIN number take note of the site's address and report it to your card provider's anti-fraud department immediately.

Recently both MasterCard and Visa have introduced extra online security features to help protect the cards that they are connected with. These new systems are called 'MasterCard SecureCode' and 'Verified by Visa' accordingly. Both of these systems allow a further level of password authentication to their card users. These services are provided free of charge and are simple to use. Further more they do not require the download of extra software onto your computer. Once you have visited a website and entered your card details you are likely to be redirected to the vendor's website in order to take advantage of this heightened security.

In 2006 there were over 372 million transactions made online. With such a huge figure it is no surprise that criminals try and invent elaborate schemes to catch out the unwary. However if you are careful, and follow the guideline above, there is no reason why business credit card transactions over the Internet shouldn't be as safe as, if not safer than, card use in the real world.

Article Source: Credit Card Bad Credit People

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Tom Goodwin is a financial expert that writes columns for various popular websites. Read more about the business credit card online and the business credit card here.

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When using your business credit card online it is important to be constantly vigilant against instances of fraud. Although the trend toward online card fraud is slowing, from a rise of 29% in 2004-2005 to a rise of only 5% in 2005-2006, there are still many cases reported. Luckily there are some very simple ways that you can help protect yourself, and your finances. You must remember, though, that the most common cause of fraudulent activity is when your card number is gathered by a criminal in the real world, perhaps when you are queuing in a shop. The greatest innovation in business, and general, credit card security is the introduction of MasterCard SecureCode and Verified by Visa. If you are using a card online it is important to make sure that you sign up with one of these services, depending on who manages your card payment transactions. They are free and help to prevent unauthorised card use by allowing you to password protect your Internet card use. It is also good to know that these services do not require the ordering of new card and don't need you to download any software to work. 
There are many card fraud scams involving unsolicited emails and any email asking for your card details should be treated with extreme caution. Even emails offering links to official websites should be avoided if possible. It is perhaps safer for you to enter any website addresses yourself, or link from a trusted source such as one of the major search engines. If you do choose to link from an email, perhaps one that you trust, you should check the address in the address bar. Fake websites will often have unusual addresses. Fraudulent links in emails can redirect you to pretty much anything, from bank sites to specific goods and services. Criminals are constantly coming up with new schemes so perhaps the safest thing to do is simply ignore the lot. 
Remember that no genuine website is going to ask for your business credit card PIN number. It has been agreed across the board that PIN numbers will not be used online. The majority of websites do however ask for your cards security code, the three digit number on the back of the card. If a site does ask for your PIN number take note of the site's address and report it to your card provider's anti-fraud department immediately. 
Recently both MasterCard and Visa have introduced extra online security features to help protect the cards that they are connected with. These new systems are called 'MasterCard SecureCode' and 'Verified by Visa' accordingly. Both of these systems allow a further level of password authentication to their card users. These services are provided free of charge and are simple to use. Further more they do not require the download of extra software onto your computer. Once you have visited a website and entered your card details you are likely to be redirected to the vendor's website in order to take advantage of this heightened security. 
In 2006 there were over 372 million transactions made online. With such a huge figure it is no surprise that criminals try and invent elaborate schemes to catch out the unwary. However if you are careful, and follow the guideline above, there is no reason why business credit card transactions over the Internet shouldn't be as safe as, if not safer than, card use in the real world. Article Source: <a href="http://www.allbestarticles.com" target="_blank">Credit Card Bad Credit People</a> About the Author: Tom Goodwin is a financial expert that writes columns for various popular websites. Read more about the <a href="http://www.mbna.co.uk/business">business credit card online</a> and the <a href="http://www.mbna.co.uk/business">business credit card</a> here.