Visa USA has announced the final implementation of Visa Direct Exchange.

"In effect, we have completely re-designed the way financial institutions and merchants access Visa services and have created an extremely flexible payment platform," said John Partridge, CEO of Inovant, Visa's technology organization responsible for global processing and technology development.

"Instead of our Members having to conform to our system, we are now flexible enough to conform to their needs, and as a result have drastically reduced implementation time and cost for new payment products and services."

American Express has announced the American Express Travelers Cheque Card.

First Data Corp. has released the results of an independent nationwide survey of consumers that found that 6.8 percent of adults have been victimized by identity theft and 43.4 percent of adults have received a phishing contact.

"This new survey confirms that identity theft and phishing are national threats, and that consumers need help to fight back," said Debra Janssen, president, First Data Debit Services.

"Close to 5 percent of phishing attempts are successful, despite significant efforts by the financial community to raise awareness and educate consumers about phishing. It's clear that more remains to be done," Janssen said.

Kevin Delaney reports for the Wall St. Journal on the newest forms of attacks on online consumers to steal their online identities.

Catherine McLean writes for Canada's Globe and Mail about Canadian mobile carriers interest in adding a payment wallet to their phones.

Pete Barlas writes for Investor's Business Daily about Visa and MasterCard efforts to require e-tailers to upgrade their data security.

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