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COLUMBIA -- South Carolinians now have access to state agency credit card use through a website created by the Comptroller General's office.

Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom said during a special press conference Wednesday that the online resource was put into place to reduce the risk of waste, unauthorized purchases and fraud.

"Last year about a quarter billion dollars was spent by state government using credit cards," said Eckstrom.  "Starting today every single credit card purchase by state government is being put online."

The website, cg.sc.gov, at this point provides the card holder's name, the amount spent and where the transaction took place.  Eckstrom said this is the latest effort to bring more transparency to state spending.

"We're asking people to volunteer, look at this information and raise questions," said Eckstrom. 

The state's chief accountant said that the site will create a new type of "watchdog" to monitor every month where taxpayer dollars are going.

Several controls have been put into place that will stop a "bad" transaction before it starts.

"An agency can't use the card to acquire cash," he said.  "The agency can't use the card to go to a tattoo parlor or a bar."

Eckstrom said that the website is meant to not only hold state agencies accountable, but to empower taxpayers to keep a close eye on those spending their hard earned money.