Affiliate Marketing Identity Theft

Identity theft is a hot topic today and the Internet is no exception. Aside from banking online and ordering via credit cards online security concerns, have you considered that your online affiliate identity might also be at risk?

The numbers vary depending upon the source quoted, but conservative estimates indicate that 10% to 40% of affiliate sales are lost. Why? Internet pirates can, and often do, steal, bypass or otherwise mutilate your affiliate link, thereby robbing you of hard-earned sales.

Are you fed up with lazy and unscrupulous people who, instead of using their misplaced energy to create something special of their own, prefer to just suck the life out of someone else's endeavors? Are there ways to stop these pirates who can spoil your online marketing efforts?

Yes, there are. One solution is called "redirecting," which simply means that you set up a domain name that will forward to the specific link you want to go to, but will not show your entire affiliate ID. The redirect will show only your domain name. Not only is this a "prettier" picture than those long, cumbersome, ugly, and often distracting affiliate links, but it will give you more credibility, which in turn can build more trust in you and/or what you are offering. Some companies offer e-mail forwarding as well, so that your e-mail contact information can also reflect your domain name.

Should this cost a lot? No. You can find a company that costs you pennies a day for their services. Several features should be considered when choosing a domain forwarding or redirect company. Ideally, the company should:

Charge a one-time set up fee for your domain name;

Offer unlimited sub-domains, which allow you to manage multiple affiliate programs from one domain name;

Offer domains that can be bookmarked, which means that every time a customer goes back to the site, they see your domain name (and you get the commission);

Optimize search engine indexing, allowing you to change the title, mega description and keyword tags for your domain name, easily and in minutes. Normal affiliate links are almost never indexed, so choose a domain provider that is designed to be indexed by all major search engines.

Do not require that you pay a monthly hosting fee or require you to buy software, ever; and,

Do not require software or technical expertise in order to use. Choose one that is user-friendly to your level of technical or software knowledge.

Finally, choose a keyword-loaded domain name that is easy to remember looks attractive and represents you in a professional, yet personal manner that suits your personality and/or what you are promoting.

Domain forwarding will take you a long way towards building a credible, trustworthy business. Good domain forwarding companies who offer most, if not all, of the benefits listed here, are worth their weight in gold.

For more Affiliate Marketing Articles by Ian Williamson please visit http://www.real-articles.com/Category/Affiliate/140

Valuable Information for Identity Theft Victims

Identity theft is one of the biggest problems we are facing in society. Bankers, credit card lenders, law, and other sources are working to find a solution to the problems. At what time a person falls into the hands of an identity thief, they will struggle for months and even years to restore their identity.

As a victim of identity theft, I learned to never lose control and keep the fight going, even if activity ceases. Every day I struggle to survive rejections and pray that the perpetrators do not commit a crime that lands me in the courtrooms or in jail. Thus, I took up Criminal Justice working to obtain my Bachelors degree for the purpose to have ammunition to continue my battle. It is costing me over $20 Grand and this does not include the mental anguish and price I have paid in the past as the victim of identity theft.

One of the best sources online according to a few identity theft victims came to my attention, thus I am ready to share any information to help you prevent identity theft, or else recover from the crime. Rely Delta is one of the many sources that help fight identity theft. The company teams up with others working together to fight identity theft, and according to victims of identity theft, this particular company helped them in less than a week.

One week...I can only dream of what these people are saying, since it has been seven long years fighting for my own identity when I spent a lifetime to find my identity. If this service offers help this quickly, I encourage everyone victimized by identity theft to request help from this source, since the law and other authorities have done nothing in line of helping me restore my life, since 2000.

Another great source supposedly is Kroll who teamed up with Pre-Paid Legal Services, which I have used in the past, to work against identity theft. Kroll is a risk management service that helped track down some of the terrorists of September 11 according to few. The service monitors your credit reports ongoing and opens the doors so that you have access to your own credit reports. CV2Now is another source that helps to fight identity theft, while monitoring credit reports; however, I visited the site first hand and did not see security, thus proceed with caution if you want to challenge this site for help. Payment processors are one of the biggest problems that lead to identity theft. Payment processors are machines that process payments abroad the World Wide Net and phone lines. The source has the biggest leakage over any other source that makes identity theft easier than ever.

Again, as a victim of identity theft, there is no such thing as I heard enough. As a victim of identity theft, until now I have not heard any positive news. I read a bulletin board recently, that informed me about the Rely Delta, which I have not tried yet, but at least the story told was positive. I was robbed of my identity twice, once in 2000 and once in 2001. The first time the perpetrator was offline and stole my personal identification, meaning all my personal identification, my vehicle, and myself. Fortunately, I escaped the hands of the perpetrator, all to learn that the thieves had taken full advantage of my truck and identity before I awaken from the drugs administered to me, which knocked me unconscious so that they could commit the crime. The second crime was committed online when I first joined the Internet. As na?ve as I was regarding the Internet, it did not take me long to learn all I could about computers, identity theft, Internet, and other related subjects.

If Paypal an online bank had not contacted me, it would have taking a couple days longer for me to learn that I was a victim, since my bank regardless that nearly $2000 was drained from my account in less than a day. The first event the perpetrators got fifteen years, while the second perpetrator has not been caught to date. Protect your self now!

Tony Robinson is an International Author, Webmaster and Security Guru. Check out his Identity Theft Protection Tips at http://www.officialidentitytheft.com/

Identity Theft OR Will The REAL Me Please Stand Up!

There is a new thief on the block. An identity thief and YOU are at risk!
There is a new thief on the block. An identity thief and YOU are at risk!

Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime today and is effecting approximately 900,000 NEW victims each year!

Everyday transactions such as writing a check, using your cell phone, making a charge purchase, applying for a credit card, mailing your tax returns, even simply placing your outgoing mail in your mail box may put you at risk.

Shopping Online (e-commerce) has enabled consumers to purchase almost any product online, from clothing to groceries, vehicles to home loans and anywhere in between. All with the click of the mouse!

These and other transactions require you to share personal information-credit and bank account numbers, your social security number, birth date, your income, name, address and telephone number.

The identity theft takes some piece of your information and then co-opts (shares) the information while pretending to be you and uses it to commit fraud or theft. Such as using your personal information to obtain credit, merchandise, services or even criminal action in your name.

You, in return, are left with your good name and credit ruined and with the complicated and time consuming task of regaining your identity and restoring your credit.

Can identity theft be completely preventedNo, but there are steps/ways you can take to minimize your risk by managing your personal information better.

Ways An Identity Thief Uses Your Information:

The identity thief calls your credit card issuer, posing as you, gives a change of address for your credit card account. Then the identity thief uses your card information to run up charges on your account.

Since your statement (and the merchandise) is going to a new address, you don't realize right away there is a problem.

Using your name, birth date and social security number, the identity thief can open new credit card accounts in your name, never pay the bills and the delinquent account is reported in your name and becomes part of your credit report.

Identity thieves have also been know to open a bank account in your name, write bad checks on the account and leave you facing the consequences.

Another area of identity theft is using counterfeit checks and/or debit cards and steal the money from your bank account.

Still another area of identity theft is establishing cellular phone service in your name. The identity thief can even buy vehicles by using your name and taking out a vehicle loan.

Steps To Help You Decrease Your Risk Of Identity Theft:

1. Protect your Social Security Number.

Don't carry your Social Security card with you or in your wallet. Leave your drivers license, social security and home telephone numbers off your personal checks.

2. Shop Online at Secure Web Sites.

Always make sure you are dealing with a secure web site. Look for https:// displayed in your web address bar located near the top of your screen. The "s" after "http" stands for "secure". https://

3. Destroy information and papers you throw away.

Shred (crosscut shredders are best) bank information, credit card information, offers for credit and payments made with receipts given.

4. Know your credit accounts billing cycles.

In case your bills are late coming in, you can call the company and request a duplicate copy. This will help you see right away if there is a problem on your account.

5. Check your credit report.

Once a year check your credit report with the three major credit reporting agencies. Don't overlook the "Inquiries" section of the report. This will give you an overview of creditors, accounts and inquiries made on your report.

Even though you can't totally prevent identity theft from occurring, following these few steps and tips will help you lower your risk. When the time (credit report) comes.... The Real You IS Standing Up!

Livvie Matthews, Internet Business Specialist, Consultant and Author helps people interested in creating information products, niche marketing and building relationships while building their business! Visit http://www.simplebizpublications.com and Market Your Goldmine! Simple Biz Ezine subscribe mailto:subscribe@simplebizpublications.com Receive a Free e-mail course.