Although the numbers are increasing, consumers are still not using their credit cards on the Internet nearly as much as electronic retailers would like. That's why many online merchants continue to offer a toll-free order number so that shoppers have the choice of calling their order in.

While Internet companies have taken responsibility for security breaches and resulting losses to credit card users, there remains the growing problem of people who use stolen credit cards to make purchases on the Internet. And, while unfair or fraudulent practices by credit card companies are not commonplace, they do happen.

On-line shopping may be convenient-some people do all of their shopping on-line-but credit card fraud is always a threat. Hackers have found ways to steal credit-card numbers from Web sites.

Fortunately, the Federal Trade Commission and the media are watching. In 1994, the FTC ordered TransUnion to stop selling "sensitive" consumer data-data on 160 million Americans-to junk-mail producers. The FTC charged that TransUnion violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act by selling consumer information to target marketers who lack any of the allowable purposes listed under the act. TransUnion denied that it had sold information that could affect customers and appealed the FTC's ruling. But it lost.

If the mailing list issue bothers you, pay close attention when you're completing any credit-card application. Most application forms provide a box that you can check to allow or disallow the selling of your information to mailing lists-but some remain hazy about how they will use your name and information.

On-line shopping may be convenient-some people do all of their shopping on-line-but credit card fraud is always a threat. Hackers have found ways to steal credit-card numbers from Web sites.

You can also protect yourself by contacting the three main U.S. credit bureaus and instructing them to take your name off of their mailing lists. When you write to the bureaus, include your complete name, name variations and mailing address, Social Security number and signature-and state clearly that you want your name removed from marketing lists.

While Internet companies have taken responsibility for security breaches and resulting losses to credit card users, there remains the growing problem of people who use stolen credit cards to make purchases on the Internet. And, while unfair or fraudulent practices by credit card companies are not commonplace, they do happen.

Fortunately, the Federal Trade Commission and the media are watching. In 1994, the FTC ordered TransUnion to stop selling "sensitive" consumer data-data on 160 million Americans-to junk-mail producers. The FTC charged that TransUnion violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act by selling consumer information to target marketers who lack any of the allowable purposes listed under the act. TransUnion denied that it had sold information that could affect customers and appealed the FTC's ruling. But it lost.

If the mailing list issue bothers you, pay close attention when you're completing any credit-card application. Most application forms provide a box that you can check to allow or disallow the selling of your information to mailing lists-but some remain hazy about how they will use your name and information.

You can also protect yourself by contacting the three main U.S. credit bureaus and instructing them to take your name off of their mailing lists. When you write to the bureaus, include your complete name, name variations and mailing address, Social Security number and signature-and state clearly that you want your name removed from marketing lists.