Card Issuer's Site and Sound Reveal a Lot

You can learn a lot about a credit card issuer on the Internet. First of all, if a company doesn't have a website, think twice about doing business with it. E-commerce has become such an accepted way of doing business; red flags should go up for any company that isn't online.

Assuming you do make it to a card issuer's website, be on the lookout for any signs that the company may not be on the up-and-up. Does the site have a professional look and feel? Is key information easy to find? Are credit card costs and terms displayed clearly?

Don't stop at the website. Call the card issuer's customer service line. Is your call answered promptly? Does the representative sound professional? Does he or she answer all of your questions directly?

If you feel uneasy about any part of your experience with the company, move on to another card issuer. With so many options out there, it's better to be safe than sorry.