An unprecedented fall by experts was experience by credit cards during the month of March. The huge 2.7% drop compared to February’s .5% increase defined the largest monthly drop since May 2005. The reason behind this fall is the changing economy. Consumers are realizing that the payment of high interest rates does not actually benefit them. In today’s slow economy, they have opted to just relax on the spending to avoid having to pay what they define as “unneeded” charges. The data was revealed by the Central Bank who agree that with the fact that the slow economy is affecting consumer’s desires to expend; however, they persist that interest levels must stay the same to calm inflation concerns.

Recently, card holders have found a new way to protect themselves from credit card fraud; they do so by simply not signing the back of their cards, or they will write “See ID.” This way criminals trying to use a stolen credit card won’t be able to falsify the signature because they won’t have an example on the back of the card to copy from; which will prove that the purchase was not a legit purchase.

Even though recommended by credit card companies, not signing your card could really helps toward your security.  Clerks are not allowed to accept cards that are not signed; however, when was the last time a clerk checked for a signature?

A bad aspect about not signing your credit card though is that the criminal could sign it for you. That’s why credit card holders have also adopted another option; which is just to write “See ID.” That way you don’t sign your card, but you provide a way to validate your identity.

If you sign the back of your card you will be running all kinds of risk for your identity, including the possibility that the criminal might use your signature to actually get more credit. However, most of the times clerks don’t even attempt to check for the signature of the back; so either way you would be unprotected. Even worse, when paying online, since you don’t have to sign, there isn’t much you can do neither.

Looking for a new VISA card? Care about the environment? Then get your VISA card and help the environment with Salmon Nation VISA Card, offered by ShoreBank Pacific. ShoreBank Pacific and Salmon Nation have partnered to offer this great opportunity for customers to own a VISA credit card while giving back to the community by helping the environment.

This zero-annual-fee card offers many features; which, in addition to helping the environment, make it a very tempting offer. It is accepted worldwide at more than twenty-four million locations, and over seven hundred thousand ATMs worldwide. It was a low APR of 12.9%, and 8.9% APR for balance transfers. It also comes with auto rental insurance and one million dollars travel accident insurance coverage.

ShoreBank Pacific has joined Ecotrust to help construct Salmon Nation. Its goal is “to create a citizenry that votes and makes behavioral choices that contribute to enhancing the health of whole watersheds and the economies of the people that live in them.” They make all of this possible by donating a percentage of the income from the Salmon Nation VISA card directly to Ecotrust.