Many individuals fail to recognize the major differences between business cards and consumer cards when searching the web for the best credit card offers. Unfortunately, due to this lack of understanding, households may find themselves at greater risk to higher fees and penalties when they choose business card offers over those marketed only for consumer use. This is because the Credit Card Act of 2009 does not apply to business credit cards at all. And since one in ten card offers sent out by credit issuers each month are for business cards, this means that many of the credit card offers landing in your mailbox will not protect you from undue risk.

Our sensitive financial information is transferred on a daily basis. Whether it’s making a purchase online or checking our bank account, it’s no wonder that thousands fall victim to financial scams each year. Millions of dollars are lost annually by unsuspecting consumers who don’t manage to catch the signs of a financial predator looking to take whatever they’ve got. Whether you use personal checks or secured credit cards, you need to be aware of financial threats so you can stay vigilant. Here are five common scams with tips on how to protect yourself.

Many of us cringe when the word “credit” meets our ears. Fresh memories, some still in the making, flood our minds of people losing everything during these past few turbulent years.  Unfortunately, we have convinced ourselves to hate something we once loved so much. If you find yourself having turned against your once precious credit cards, here are four reasons you may want to think about rekindling that credit card romance once again:

NFC chip technology is a market with huge potential for growth as smartphones and other mobile devices begin to replace cash and plastic in consumers’ wallets. In fact, there are some stepping stone applications which are particularly noteworthy in the move toward mobile credit card authorization. One company that can't be overlooked is Squareup.com, or “Square” as it's commonly called. Founded by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, Square is nothing more than a shift away from the traditional use of credit card authorization terminals. Traditionally, credit card merchant services have been set aside for business-only transactions with a hard-wired connection. But what about the guy who runs a taco stand? What about if you want to split the tab on your dinner at Applebee's with a couple of friends? Square has not only helped to solve an immediate pain point, but has also done an excellent job in taking credit card merchant services to a completely untapped market segment: the consumer.

Let’s face it, the credit industry is complex and confusing. Hundreds of credit cards offer different ratios for miles, points, percentages of cash back, and other rewards. And now that we’ve gone through a roller coaster of a recession, getting approved for these cards may seem impossible for many of us. I work daily with clients who want and need the use of a credit card. As many of their financial situations have been pummeled, rebuilding credit is the first step they must take. One of the most common misconceptions about credit that I encounter centers around three words: prepaid credit cards.