Getting credit card applications used to happen exclusively through the postal service and credit card agents stationed at tables around college campuses. Advances in technology and security have made it possible to apply for a credit card online, and every piece of junk mail offering you more can will have a web address to apply for “a decision in as little as 30 seconds.” So, how is it that these applications have moved online, how safe is it to apply for a credit card online, and how can I still get cool perks or a freebie if I apply online are the three major questions that arise.

The applications have moved online because of technology. At one point in time an actual living body had to assess each and every application, often doing calculations by hand and entering them into a much more primitive computing system. Additionally, the postal service has raised rates over the last decade several times. As a result, credit card companies have found it financially prudent to offer online applications. The benefit for a card company is that they can save on labor costs, postage costs, and get instant statistics and account activations.

The benefit for the consumer is not waiting 3-6 business weeks for a decision and over applying on offers with the intention of landing one new credit card account, only to find themselves with a stack of new credit cards. Not to mention, trees are saved thanks to online credit card activations, and some credit card companies even go so far as to offer remediation for either applying online and/or having statements online. The remediation they offer is usually in the form of a promise to plant a tree should you opt for the electronic approach to opening a new credit card.

There are some safety ramifications in applying for a credit card online. Essentially, anything personal information you transmit online is subject to a wide array of automated and human-led endeavors to steal personal information. One such online tactic is to spam email boxes with bogus credit card offers in the hopes of “phishing” for personal information. Be extremely careful anytime you enter your name, telephone number, date of birth, and most of all, your social security number. Reputable sites will have realistic sounding domain names “citibank.com” “sendmethecard.com” “chase.com” etc and not something like a spoof. Online credit card spoofs generally have names like citibannnk.com or citibank.flxyz.com, or something else that looks fishy.

If in doubt, look for a 800 contact number or contact your better business bureau, or look for another online site. Do not be deceived by mere appearances, however, as phishing experts are adept at cloning the look and feel of an online credit card application site. Additionally, there are concerns with virii, spyware, and Trojans on a system. Prior to applying for any new credit card online, you should always manually ensure you are running a reputable anti-virus software package, it’s anti virus and spy ware definitions are “UPDATED”, and that a system scan has “COMPLETED.” After you address the issues of spoofs and backdoor software, applying for a credit card online is arguably many folds safer than putting every piece of information an identity thief would need to steal your life in a metal box outside your house and falling asleep.

The third question you may find yourself asking is, “How can I still get cool perks or freebies if I apply online for a new credit card?” There are many sites out there that offer rewards for opening credit cards online. A good way of finding them is to just simply browse around and wait for advertisements to pop up, or find services you enjoy and see if the front page mentions anything about a credit card that you can apply for online.

Mypoints.com, Ebay.com’s paypal.com site, and numerous other sites that millions of internet users find themselves surfing daily all have credit card offers with some form of perks to sign up. If you wait and are observant, applying online for a credit card will present offers far more extravagant and wildly varied than any rectangular piece of mail that you could possibly rip open.