We wrote recently about how we've added some new search capabilities to Payments News - for easily searching both the Payments News Archive as well as searching the web for articles similar in content to the one you're reading.

Joseph Pellicciotti reports for the Northwest Indiana Times on a new presentation available online from the FDIC. Titled "Don't Be an On-line Victim: How to Guard Against Internet Thieves and Electronic Scams", the presentation is designed to educate consumers about the steps they can take to protect themselves from identity theft and what they can do if they've become victims.

Tim Barker writes for the Orlando Sentinel about the increasingly sophisticated marketing credit cards to college students and how some colleges or their alumni associations make money off of student credit card signups and usage.

Monique Curet writes for the Columbus Dispatch (OH) about web sites that serve as a secondary market for gift cards. She comments that these gift card swap sites serve a useful purpose by getting cards into the hands of people who will actually spend the money on them - allowing the retailers to finally book the revenue associated with the sale of the cards.

John Darling reports for the Medford, OR Mail Tribune on one woman's recent experience with having her checking account nearly emptied after someone apparently took over her PayPal account. She was "made whole" through the efforts of PayPal and her bank - but the experience was difficult nonetheless.

Peralte C. Paul of Cox News reports for the San Jose Mercury News on the endless cycle that some consumers fall into when they only make the minimum payment due on their credit cards each month. The American Bankers Association has said that only 4 percent of Americans pay the minimum every month, compared with 42 percent who pay in full every month.

Eric Gertler of the United Feature Syndicate answers a question in today's Seattle Times about what you should do if you see items you don't recognize listed as purchases on your credit card statement. You do review each of your credit card statements carefully each month don't you?

Terence O'Hara writes for the Washington Post about the increased marketing emphasis being placed by many banks on convincing you to leave your current bank for the greener pastures they promise to provide.

Kathy Chu reports for USA Today on the emphasis on incentives this year to use credit cards to make tax payments - and questions the overall economics given the mileage rewards offered by some issuers vs. the convenience fees you have to pay to the tax payment service providers.

Lisa Gentes reports from Southborough, MA on a 20 year old pizza guy who thought he could also use some of his pizza customers' credit cards to travel and furnish his apartment.

Gail Liberman and Alan Lavine of the Boston Herald write a very "too the point" article this Sunday about the limited options you have available if you're unable to make credit card payments.

The Telegraph (UK) reports from the recent 3GSM mobile conference on mobile commerce activities based upon digital content. Mobile operators are hungry to find new sources of revenues - and content was this year's unofficial conference theme apparently.

UPI reports on the letter sent recently by FTC Chairwoman Deborah Platt Majoras about the range of practices used by gift card providers.

Note: Throughout the day, as Payments News happens, this post is updated.

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