Protecting Your Credit Card While Shopping Online

Unlike cash, scammers can still use your credit card even when they don't have it physically!

All they need is to get your credit card information and they can use it or sell it to others to use in purchasing anything, especially over the Internet and on the phone.

Most of the time when you can loss your credit card information to scammers is online. To prevent this, take note of the following protective tips:

1. When you use your credit card online to pay for goods and/or services, make sure you are using a secure web site.

   To know if the website is secure, look for a small key or lock symbol at the bottom left of your browser's window. If the website doesn't have one, DON'T pay for anything. Also, looking at the page’s URL can also provide a swift check. The URL of a secure page begins https:// instead of the normal http:// which indicates a website that is not secure.

2. Beware of websites that tell you to call certain numbers to make your payment, unless such companies are very well known to you.

3. NEVER send your credit card details in an email unless it is digitally signed and encrypted.

4. NEVER fall for the temptation of using a credit card on any site that you have found through opening and reading unsolicited email. No matter how legitimate such an offer might seem, the fact is that reputable companies don’t send unsolicited email .

5. If you are using your personal computer, make sure you install an antivirus software from a well known antivirus software company like Norton or McAfee. You also need to always update such antivirus software on a regular basis.

   You need to protect your computer from viruses because these days certain viruses can contain programs capable of extracting information from your computer and sending it to the virus's author.

   Some of these programs are known as 'keystroke loggers'. They work by recording passwords as the user types the password into a form. So, if you have such virus in your computer, it could send your vital information to scammers without your knowledge.

6. Closely related to the use of antivirus, you can also protect your information on your computer by installing a firewall.

   A firewall prevents unauthorised outside access to a computer that is connected to the Internet. When a firewall detects an attempted intrusion, it blocks the intruder's access to the computer and alerts the user.

7. When you are using a computer network that is also used by others- such as computers in your workplace or in Internet cafés, NEVER enter your credit card details or sensitive personal information.

8. Always use only the latest version of a browser for your Internet activities. This is because browsers incorporate security features that can help to protect your computer from external access.

   And since browser updates are generally free, it is always necessary for you to always install the latest version.

9. Check the site's privacy policy, before you provide any personal financial information to a website. According to FTC, you should particularly determine how the information will be used or shared with others.

   Also check the site's statements about the security provided for your information. Some websites' disclosures are easier to find than others -look at the bottom of the home page, onorder forms or in the "About" or "FAQs" section of a site.

   If you are not comfortable with the policy, consider doing business elsewhere.

10. Read and understand the refund and shipping policies of a website you visit, before you make your purchase. FTC also cautions that you should look closely at disclosures about the website's refund and shipping policies before you make payment.

    This will enable you to know exactly what to expect and what not to expect as regards the transaction.

11. Lastly, NEVER give your password to anyone online, even your Internet service provider. Closely related to this, don't download files sent to you by strangers or click on hyperlinks from people you don't know.

    Opening such file could expose your system to a computer virus or a program that could hijack your modem, as explained above.

Next Chapter
Protecting Your Credit Card From 'Phishing'