A credit card with an interactive alert system. (New Products).

Now here's a new idea: a credit card that talks back. First Data Corp.'s new First Data Xpedite service comes equipped with an interactive alert system that can be used by card issuers to notify cardholders immediately about suspected fraud or to verify a transaction. Customer can respond by phone, fax, e-mail or text messaging or one of several other ways.

In addition to alerting customers to "time-critical events," the service also offers a built-in response mechanism. The company says its system adds "flexibility, speed, accuracy and efficiency" to fraud verification. For more information, go to www.firstdata.com.