A credit card obtained by using a cash deposit or other collateral to guarantee the credit card. The credit limit is based upon the amount of deposit or collateral.

The third stage of credit card transactions: Once a merchant has batched the day's receipts, the credit card network takes (debits) the money from the credit card company associated with each transaction and gives (credits) it to the merchant. Also called Clearing and Settlement.

Some cards will charge a fee whenever you use your card to buy something that requires a signature on the card receipt and does NOT require your card PIN. Signature-based transactions are by far the most popular type of transaction.

Criminals can steal credit card information by swiping a card through a handheld electronic device, or by placing a skimming device alongside a regular credit card reader. Skimmed credit card numbers can then be used for cloning counterfeit cards.

A credit, gift, charge, or phone card that contains a CPU that stores, verifies, and denies transaction.

Your credit worthiness, as described in your credit report as the type of credit account and your payment history.

The period of time after an event occurs in which legal action based on that occurrence can be brought forth. Statutes of Limitations are common for certain crimes, lawsuits and financial transactions. Statutes of Limitations vary by state and by the type of event in question. For example, lenders and collections agencies have to mind statutes of limitations when seeking to collect debt. Once a certain amount of time has elapsed since the last debt payment was made, collection efforts must be ceased. The exact length of time varies from 3-10 years for debt collections, depending on the state.

Cards with a prepaid spending amount, such as calling cards and gift cards.