TrueActive CardAlert (TACA), a technology preview application demonstrating real-time credit card number detection on a PC to instantly identify potential credit card or identity theft fraud. TACA demonstrates a proficiency at real-time monitoring and notification previously thought impossible. Using a validation algorithm and operating completely in the open with user knowledge, TACA scans keyboard activity and the Windows clipboard to detect numeric combinations that can be validated as a credit card number. When a match is found, TACA saves only the last four digits to an encrypted file and alerts the user. To address privacy concerns, the credit card number is only evaluated and never stored in full by the application. Only the last four digits are retained for detection and reporting. The application will be available for free from TrueActive and will cease working on December 31, 2005.