using credit card for online purchases?

[jakol]

how confident r u using ur credit card for online purchases? never done this, ill say im really paranoid that someone will get my numbers and use it, i know there r secured sites, but how secure is secure? our State of CA PERS account site has been hacked recently and its 128 bit ssl encrypted if im not mistaken...i dont want the extra trouble of calling/ explaining to my creditor u know wat i mean....anyone with bad experience on this?

[redwudz]

Most credit card companies cut you a little slack in case of stolen numbers. You might want to check your company to see the limits of your liability. I use my card all the time over the internet. Look to the bottom of the site for the locked padlock, an https site. You have to look at it this way, would you rather type your credit card number into a secure site or hand it over to some pimply faced kid at a local store who has a copy of your signature and your credit card numbers. Online is generally safer. With that said, if you deal with overseas websites, or any one who doesn't have a secure site (HTTPS) run the other way. As an aside, DON't give any site anything they don't absolutly require. In the US, this is your Social Security number, your bank account number. Even if someone asks for it, say no. You usually need to give your home address and your phone number, so they can check to see if you are valid. Some vendors have a secure VISA system, that gives you further protection. All, in all, I feel safe enough. as long as I am careful.

[devinemi83]

SSL is VERY secure. It hasnt been hacked in the real world yet. Its more important to trust the company you are dealing with. If you are buying through amazon for example, you are pretty much 100% safe. But buying from ex- www.flybynightbobs.com, may not be the best person to trust with your number. SSL encrypts data while its transmitted between you and the server. Preventing man in the middle attacks where someone basically has your stuff running through them like a proxy and they catch all your data. With SSL, even if they did, they would get encrypted garbage, totally unusable. But it doesnt stop someone from hacking the site itself. This doesnt havent alot at all, especially with well known retailers.


If you are paranoid(like I am), use a visa gift card if they are available to you. If you are in the US, they are. They are prepaid visa cards good anywhere visa is accepted. I use those all the time cause I dont have a real credit card.

Generally, online shopping is VERY safe and easy. Just apply the same rules you apply to real world stores. Would you give your credit card number to a street vendor? I wouldnt. But I wouldnt think twice about using one at bestbuy, circuitcity, walmart..etc. Shopping with a card online is ALOT more secure than using checks or money orders to pay. At least if you have a dispute, visa or whatever your card is will have your back and usually will credit you for the amount you are out. You send a check or MO, you are screwed,

[Conquest10]

That's the line my instructor used to always use: Which do you believe is safer: shopping online using a secure connection or going to a restaurant and giving you credit card to some guy who walks away with it?

[freestyler]

If you have a Visa card, they offer a special protection program where you put in a password to verify your purchase each time you buy something online through participating retailers. I know Newegg.com offers this when I use my Visa card. I have Bank of America.

[jakol]

thanks for the reply guys, you have good points, ill probably have to check with my creditor re: my limit liabilty as per redwudz co'z i cant imagine if someone got ur number and max it out, how about if you have 100,000 credit limit that would be hard to dispute . or ill probably get a visa gift card not a bad idea, or open a low credit limit card, just to be on the safe side.

[offline]

I second what devinemi83 and freestyler said about Visa.
However they are not perfect and it pays to be cautious.
Identity theft is growing, as are various scams on the Internet.

Also, if you are buying a service or renewable product, make
sure the vendor does not say that they will auto charge your
credit card.

I ran into a problem with a US domain name
company that tried to charge for the next years fee (at a much higher
price) near the end of the 1st 12 months, although I was planning
to go with another company. I was lucky that my Visa had expired
and been re-issued so the number had changed.

[Rookie64]

I use mine a lot for online stuff - I've yet to encounter any problems.

Most places I buy from are pretty secure...they also use certain questions that only you would know how to answer, and if the purchases are over $200, they'll varify your order over the phone.

I've also had my creditor call on occasion to varify that it was really me who had made the charges in question.

So I do think it's pretty safe to use your credit card online.

Just be aware of how each site makes their transaction - if the site isn't secure, you should avoid ordering from it.


Another option is Paypal - a lot of sites accept payment made through Paypal, instead of using your card directly.
Paypal will then either charge your card or withdraw directly from your bank account.

[Hardcoreruss]

I have NEVEr had a problem using mine and I but A LOT of stuff online.

[Will Hay]

I have NEVEr had a problem using mine and I but A LOT of stuff online.

Ditto, used it for years.
Will

[freestyler]

You're more likely to get boned sending money orders or checks as payment for something you are ordering off the Internet.

[Hardcoreruss]

You're more likely to get boned sending money orders or checks as payment for something you are ordering off the Internet.

Agreed, you can always go to your credit card company if something goes wrong.

[Will Hay]

Agreed, you can always go to your credit card company if something goes wrong.

Hiya advocater, used your credit card to transfer your £20?
Will

[Hardcoreruss]

Waiting for VCD to come back from Prague, and he can use his to pay me, you should of so given me the draw also.

Advocator

[Will Hay]

......should of so given me the draw also.

Advocator

Erm, no, and no whining, if you didn't like the bet you shouldn't have agreed.
Like I said, I'm not stupid
Will

[Hardcoreruss]

Okay, no whining.

[Guest]

several major cc companies offer one time use numbers. So,even if someone ganks it,nothing can be done with it.

[Hardcoreruss]

What companies do that ?

[Guest]

citibank and discover are the ones I use

http://www2.discovercard.com/deskshop

[devinemi83]

I feel much more secure using a card than anything else. I dont even like the idea of paypal accessing my bank account. I guess I am just a paranoid SOB, thats why I buy a visa giftcard for just about the eqaul value of what I want and use it. I figure if someone does break in and get the number, the most they get is 1-5 bucks, with no attachment to me or my credit record. Even though most card companies are very good about helping you report and get fraud items off your account, it is still a pain in the ass.

The most recent things I used them for online is a couple of those russian music sites. Just to try them out. I used them and fake names. I will be doing the same thing this friday when I sign up for usenetserver. Visa giftcard and fake name. I like my privacy LOL