Intro
Basicsics
Introduction
Skye Bank Customer Alert – Beware Of Hackers
One of the features of online/Mobile banking is SMS banking services which are operated using both push and pull messages. Push messages are those that the bank chooses to send out to a customer’s mobile phone without the customer initiating a request for the information. For example push messages could be either Mobile marketing messages or messages alerting an event which happens in the customer’s bank account, such as a withdrawal of funds from the ATM or a payment using the customer’s credit card, etc.
Pull messages are those that are initiated by the customer, using a mobile phone, for obtaining information or performing a transaction in the bank account. Examples of pull messages for information include an account balance enquiry, or requests for current information like currency exchange rates and deposit interest rates, as published and updated by the bank.
The bank’s customer is empowered with the capability to select the list of activities (or alerts) that he/she needs to be informed. This functionality to choose activities can be done either by integrating to the internet banking channel or through the bank’s customer service call centre.
It is however sad to note that fraudsters and internet hackers have capitalized on this laudable innovation to rip people off their money. So it is important that as a bank account holder or intending holder you should be aware of this trend and choose the right bank to bank with where your money will be properly secured through adequate online security tips.
How Credit Card Debt Settlement Can Increase Your Credit Score
Credit card debt settlement has costs and it comes in the form of negative marks on your credit score. If you are already missing payments, however, this is unlikely to do any additional damage in a practical sense because you arent going to find people that are willing to loan you money with past due accounts at least not at a reasonable interest rate, anyway. Credit card companies have several priorities. The first is to generate profit for the parent company and its shareholders. When it becomes evident that someone may be unable to pay his or her balance, there is a priority shift that happens that can work to your advantage. The main concern of the bank or credit card company is to get as much of the balance back from you as possible and closing or restricting your account. This will allow them to avoid charging off the amount on their income statement, which would cause their stock to fall. Management will get lower bonuses, and consequently, dividend payments to shareholders will be reduced. If you declare bankruptcy, it is possible that the entire credit balance will be wiped out because credit card debt is known as unsecured in most cases and that means it isnt backed by any specific collateral, just your promise to repay and they will no longer be able to recover their investment. This would be the worst-case scenario for the credit card company. If you have missed several payments already and your credit score has been affected, all it takes is a series of phone calls to the company explaining that you are seriously considering bankruptcy but you want to avoid that. Tell your creditor that you want to make good on as much debt as you can but you dont know if its still possible. Heres the best credit card debt settlement tip: Negotiate with your creditor by offering to pay off 25% of your credit card debt balance over the next few months in exchange for the company freezing interest costs and closing the account. Closing the account will make the matter worst for you in as much as it will affect your credit score. You may have to spend some time on the phone or meeting with your creditor. You need to let them know that you are on the brink of declaring bankruptcy but you want to avoid it at all costs. Tell them whatever story you need to think up to get them to believe that you are coming up with everything you possibly can and this is the best they can hope for because the alternative is likely nothing following a discharge of the debt in bankruptcy court. If you can convince them of that, you have a very good chance at reaching a credit card debt settlement agreement. After your debts are settled, its time for the healing process to begin by repairing your credit. A good debt settlement company should provide you with free credit repair as part of their service. Credit card debt settlement can increase your credit score if you are able to pay off your debt and your credit card is not closed contrary to declaring bankruptcy which will adversely affect your credit score and leave you with bad record.
A Complete Guide on Credit Card Balance Transfer
Summary: Worried about your credit card debt? Well, balance transfer is a good option, provided you know the ins and outs of the process. Credit card debt relief programs help you get to know the balance transfer process better.
Credit card relief program You can keep better track of your debt by transferring your balance from high interest credit cards to a lower interest one. This also facilitates paying off your debt faster. But most of the time there are hidden charges incurred during the transfer process which could make the deal turn costly for you. That’s why it is mandatory to understand the intricacies of credit card balance transfers before opting for one. Debt management experts recommend credit card relief programs as the best source for learning more.
Here are some tips on credit card balance transfers which will help you get the most out of your credit payment.
Go Green With Credit Card
Barclaycard are the latest company to offer a green product to its growing ethically concerned customers who want to lower their carbon footprints. They have announced that their new eco-friendly credit card will be called Breathe. To ensure its green credentials the card is made from PETG which is the greener alternative to plastic. There will also be no paper statements, they will offer recycling for expired cards and all advertising for the Breathe card will be done online. The card offers customers discounts and low rate borrowing when green products are bought. In addition to this Barclaycard will give 50% of after tax profits (estimated at 1 million in its first year) from the card to environmental projects that are dedicated to reducing carbon emissions.
Barclaycard have also recently, along with eight other market leaders B&Q, British Gas, Marks & Spencer, Sky, Tesco, Royal & Sun Alliance and O2, launched a government backed campaign titled Were in this together which aims to help every UK household cut their carbon emissions by one tonne over the next three years.
Barclaycard isnt the only lender to be catering to the growing demand for ethical borrowing. Virgin have also launched a green credit card and claim that they have beaten Barclaycard in the green stakes because their card is bio-degradable and they also promise not to just pay lip-service to the environment but offer on-going dedication to environmental issues. The Co-operative Bank is generally regarded as being the most ethical with all their financial services offering environmental incentives.