There is a new way crooks could be stealing your credit card information, and all it takes is a simple Google search.

Google is one of the many search engines available to Web surfers in search of fast information. But with speed and access comes problems from predators.

Identity thieves in search of your information may be able to find your credit card numbers by doing a Google search, according to a recent article from CNET's News.com.

Queries can turn up lists of sites that may include your name, address and credit card information, Philadelphia television station WCAU reported.

The station contacted an expert who had some important advice for consumers to prevent them being victims.

"It's critically important that you Google yourself. Do a search by name, and by your street address, to see if anybody has put information about you online," Ken Hartman recommended.

News.com found sites dedicated to spelling out how to search for and obtain financial information.

The station tried to contact Google for its side of the story, but the company would not comment, citing a quiet period before its initial stock offering.

"With over 4 billion Web pages out on the Internet, the odds are that something about you is going to appear on one of those Web pages," Hartman explained.

According to CNET.com, Google has decided to allow anyone to request the removal of search results for any documents that includes Social Security or credit card numbers.

If you have found your credit card information by searching Google, you can request the results be removed from the search engine by e-mailing help@google.com.

This can happen on any search engine, the station said, so if you find your personal information using another service, contact the Web site directly about fixing the situation.