One of the biggest mistakes consumers make when signing up for an on-line membership is their failure to document a few very important items. I strongly suggest, before whipping out the plastic, you make note of the following:

• Who is processing the transaction, such as CCbill, iBill, Verotel
• How will that transaction show up on your credit card bill?
• How can the credit card processor be contacted?
• What link is used to cancel a membership?
• What is the contact information for the web site you are joining?

A good site will make most, if not all, of this information available to you in one location. Most likely on the page you are sent to after clicking to join the site. Or you may find it under a help or support link offered at the sign up page. If a site does not offer this information in one location, you have good reason to be suspect.

After you have signed up, make note of the following:

• What credit card you used
• The date and time you signed up
• The transaction number - a unique identifier for that transaction should be provided to you
• Your user name and password - remember these are often case sensitive!
• The Email address you used to sign up with
• Save and/or print out any Email messages you get regarding the sign up and membership with that site.

Taking the time to document these items on the front end will save you a lot of head aches later, if a problem develops.