The EU-US Privacy Shield program requires FICO to comply with data protection requirements laid down by the EU when they transfer personal information from the EU to the US. It is a voluntary self-certification. “Joining the Privacy Shield further demonstrates our commitment to respecting the privacy of our clients and their customers,” according to Vance Gudmundsen. “FICO has always been in legal compliance with EU privacy law, because we use Standard Contractual Clauses (also called “model clauses”) in our client contracts.
Data breaches are cause for concern
Over the past several years, there have been a number of high profile data breaches that compromised the financial lives of credit card holders, debit card users, and anyone who uses a payment method other than cash to buy something, either online or in a brick and mortar store.
Target, Nieman Marcus, Best Buy, and others have all fallen prey to massive data breaches, leaving their customers’ information exposed and vulnerable to fraudulent use. And while most credit cards offer zero liability for fraud, it’s still a pain to deal with having your credit card hacked or your identity stolen.
EMV chip cards provide some relief
Within the past few months, most credit card issuers have switched to EMV, or chip cards, which provide better security for their cardholders. With chip cards, you insert your card, rather than swiping a magnetic stripe. Most cards do come with both the stripe and the chip, so they can be used whether or not the store owner has upgraded their payment system.
FICO provides credit scores for millions
FICO provides credit scores to millions of people, giving them a rating that signifies how good a credit risk they are. Prospective lenders, including banks, credit card issuers, landlords, and even employers, might check a candidate’s FICO score to determine whether or not someone is going to pay their rent, pay off their debt, or even just be a person with their head firmly on their shoulders. However, a low FICO score does not indicate a lack of character. Rather, someone’s credit history may have suffered after a divorce, unemployment, or other unexpected event out of their control.
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Customer Questions
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If your security code is rubbed out, contact your credit card issuer and explain them your situation. Most likely you will be offered a replacement card. Your credit card issuer will not provide you with the security code over the phone or via email. That's for your own protection.
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You may like one of the regular travel rewards credit cards offered by major banks. Travel rewards credit cards allow earning miles on all purchases. The cards also have one-time sign up bonuses which may be enough for a domestic flight. There are credit offers without annual fees, the other offers come with rather low...
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The US Airways Premier World MasterCard is no longer offered. US Airways removed their credit card after merging with American Airlines. Today you can apply for one of the AAdvantage credit cards offered by Citi or for a regular travel rewards credit card. Both types of credit cards will allow you to earn miles and redeem...