Anne asked:


Very often you can hear the statement that applying online for a credit card is safe and fast. At the same time, it is common knowledge that cases of online identity theft are frequent enough to make people be afraid of it. Is it really dangerous to order plastics via Internet? Let us see how matters stand.

There are a wide range of web-sources where consumers can make an online credit card application: Credit-Land.com, RequestCredit.com and many other sites are known to provide assistance in credit card selection and quick redirection to the bank’s official site. Credit card companies spend a lot of money on products promotion as well as providing credit card application security. Banks want to make people order cards via Internet. The reason is that it minimizes the cost of application processing: there are no extra personnel needed, as well as no expenditures on paper application forms. The information you submit goes straight to the bank’s database; that is why both the applicant and the creditor save a good deal of time.

To protect the personal and financial information you enter on the application page, SSL (secure sockets layer) protocol is used. It implies that the information is twice encrypted: when being submitted in the sending computer and being accepted by the receiving computer. This encryption method guarantees that your information will never be stolen if you submit it through the SSL protected web sites.

However, not every site is supplied with SSL protocol. There are some details to consider if you want to make a really secure online application.

1) The web page is stated to be secure or there is a name of SSL Certificate provider (Verisign, for example)

2) URL of a protected web-page usually begins with https:// (regular pages start with http://)

3) You can see a small lock in the right bottom corner of the screen

4) They ask you to register on a secure site

If you notice some or all of these features on a web site, you can be 100% your information is protected. So, you can choose the bank product for your credit situation and needs and indicate your personal information like address, annual income, social security number etc in the application form provided.

In case you do not see any of the above mentioned signs of security, or the site just seems shady, leave it and go to a reliable web source. One should also be careful with credit card offers coming by e-mail. E-mail is very vulnerable, and there is a great possibility that you will receive malicious mail (become a victim of phishing). Plus, it is required that you should have your computer protected with anti-virus programs.



DALE

Pinklight asked:


If you apply for a credit card online, and it does not give you an instant result…but rather says they will notify you with a decision in 5-7 days and gives you a reference number….that is basically a denial correct?

HARVEY

Nick Makaryk asked:


Credit card offers come in the mail everyday. They all claim that you are pre approved to receive a credit card. All you have to do is call the number to apply. The problem is that once you have called, you spend weeks, sometimes months to receive notification that you have been approved or denied. This has led to the development of online credit card applications. When you apply online, you receive an answer within minutes instead of waiting long periods of time just to find that you have been denied.

A person who has good credit should have no problems obtaining a credit card online. Often you will find that credit cards online have better rates than other card companies. It is important that you know what your credit score is before you apply and using the Internet to find it is very fast and easy. Many sites offer free credit reports for consumers.

It is recommended that you check your credit report at least twice a year to catch any discrepancies.

When you are denied a credit card, it will show on your credit report. This can further damage your credit rating. It is important that you fix any problems that do not look favorable on your credit report. This may not be as simple as it sounds, however it is very important that you take care of it as soon as possible to avoid any further damage to your credit rating.

When you know what your credit score is, you can go online and apply for the appropriate credit card. It takes minutes to get an answer.

All credit card applications will ask for personal information. This includes your name, address, telephone number, social security number, age and income and employer. Failing to provide any of this information will result in a denial of the credit card.

It is important that you understand all of the terms of service before you apply for your credit card. Once you have signed the contract it is legally binding. You cannot claim that you did not understand.

The TOS will be listed on the site that you choose. If it is not, choose another site. The most important aspect is to know what the APR is for the card that you are applying for.

It is important that you research the site that you are applying to. You will be giving your personal information online, and you want to make sure that it is a secure site.

An encryption of anything less than SSL 128 bit is leaving yourself open for identity theft. This encryption level is the standard and is considered to be hacker proof.Thereby ensuring that your information is safe and secure.

When you have finished filling out the application, double check it to make sure there are no errors. Once you send it, you will have your answer within minutes. Most companies will notify you on screen; however, some will send an answer in the mail. If your application is denied, than you will receive notification and the reason why.

When your application is approved, you will receive your card within a few days. It is sent through the mail and available to use upon activation.

It is now easier than ever to apply for a credit card. When you use online methods, your answer is just a mouse click away. It is no longer necessary to wait weeks to get an answer to your credit card application.



NUMBERS

Stephen Chua asked:


Many people will head down to the local office of the banks or credit card companies when they want to apply for a credit card. If there is a long queue, they will have to wait in line for their turn to submit their applications. Alternatively, they can call up their customer service hotlines and request for an application form to be mail to their home addresses.

As more and more households have access to the Internet, these card issuers begin to offer online credit card applications. This method allows them reach a broader base of potential customers, especially the younger generation that is more computer savvy.

Online applications offer several advantages over the traditional way of applications. Here are three of them:

1. Convenience

This is probably the number one reason why online applications are preferred over the traditional ways. There is no need to travel to the bank and queue in long lines. Thus no extra time is wasted and there is no travel cost to deal with. All you need is a personal computer with Internet access.

2. Access to a wide range of credit information.

Traditionally, if you want to review credit cards from different card issuers, you have to visit each of their offices separately or call up different hotlines to request for their application form. With the Internet, you can do it with just a few clicks. There are many legitimate credit card directories on the Internet that offer you detail description for a wide selection of credit cards from different card issuers. Some of these online directories even offer free tips on credit management.

3. Shorter Turnaround Time

Since everything is computerized and automated, the processing of the application is usually much faster and more efficient. By simply clicking a button to bring up the application form, you can fill it up on your computer screen and then click another button to submit it. Unless there are issues with your credit history or errors on the form, you can expect to get your application approved in matter of days instead of weeks.

However, online security remains the primary concern for many Internet users. Contrary to belief, online application is actually very safe and secure. The card issuers spent huge amount of money each year to ensure that their computer system is secure and hack-proof.

To have a safer experience, you should only make your online application from your personal computer. Avoid public places such as an Internet cafe. In fact, you should not be doing any high security transaction from any computer located in public places.

Online application is safe and easy. Once you have experienced the convenience, it is unlikely you will return to the old ways of applying for a credit card.



CLAYTON

Andy Owen asked:


We get credit card applications via mail, and we all know how they work. While many credit card offers in the mail are already approved in advance, you still have to wait weeks and weeks to get a response. These days are long past. The Internet makes everything easier and a response to an online credit card application takes minutes, not weeks and weeks.

If you have good credit, you will be approved with no difficulties. Cards with better terms and prices will be available to you. Before you register online, you need to know how good your credit is. You can always get a free online report and check this yourself. If you do this at least twice a year, you will always know where you stand with your credit.

There is no better time then now to check your credit, particularly if you don’t know it or it has been a long time since you last checked it. Resolve any aspects of the report that are not beneficial. Remember that being rejected for a credit card can affect your Credit Score as well, and plays an important role in future offers.

After reviewing your credit report and making any necessary improvements, you can apply online for an immediate answer. Regardless of the credit card company you will be asked questions like your name, phone number, Social Security number, age, employer and income.

When filling out an application for a new card always check the terms and conditions. Look at the APR and make sure there are no surprises. After submitting the application, with your social security number, they will pull your credit report and use it to decide if you are eligible for a card.

Before filling out an application online make sure the site is encrypted. The standard SSL encryption these days is 128-bit, which will ensure that the information is protected. If the site is less than 128 bits, it is possible for others to steal your data – which could lead to identity theft.

An online credit card application can provide a response within minutes. If you are approved, it can be as little as a few days before you receive your card. If you are not approved you will be mailed the reason why. With so many online choices it is easy to find an instant credit card application that is best for you.



LOWELL

Perry Hampton asked:


The internet has become the fastest and most convenient way to be able to locate and compare a credit card company from another. No doubt it has become widely used in financial transactions such as credit card applications. However, with a significant incidence of fraud online, consumers are now in a critical situation. One thing should be certain, though. In applying for a credit card online, make sure the credit card company you are applying is one-hundred percent safe and secure for customer’s use. The easiest way to know this is to know the reputation of your credit card company. Reputable companies that have a clean track record of serving many satisfied customers is one sure way to determine the credit card company is safe from fraud and privacy issues.

There would probably be nothing new about the next things to consider except of course that like a personal credit card application, you have to ask these things because it will help you decide which credit card and which company will you apply to. Let us take the why first. Why do you want to apply for a credit card? How do you intend to use your credit card? Is it only for pleasure or is it for business? First time credit card applicants should ask this question more often than dreaming about the benefits involved with owning a credit card. If you travel a lot to different countries, will you be able to use the credit card? If so, then you will need an international credit card, which you can use in countries other than the country where the credit card was issued. Are you able to pay monthly or only at a minimum? By answering these questions, you will know your financial capability. Now this is very important because later, the lack of finances might make you not in good terms with your credit card company.

After this assessment, compare credit cards. Again, the best way to do this is online. You can put cards side by side and weigh each pro and con. What are the benefits as well as the disadvantages of both cards? Many websites could give you this information. And while you’re at it, get information about the company itself who will issue the credit card. Are they credible enough? Can their system be trusted? Will information be a private transaction between you and the bank? Since credit card companies are also a business, carefully investigate any detail or specifics that go with the application.

The internet is a rich source for this information. With just one click of the mouse, you can easily compare rats, fees, and terms, making the tedious chore of doing your homework informative as well as exhaustive. Once you have selected your credit card company, it is also very convenient to apply at once for a credit card. After a filling out and submitting a form, approve applications would be receive a confirmation e-mail with your credit card information in it. This proves to be one of the most convenient ways to apply for credit cards today.



PAT