Some tips on using credit cards safely
|
| Although using a credit card to shop on-line is considered a safer practice, it should be done judicially and precautions should be taken to ensure that your credit card is not victim to data theft and Internet fraud. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has marked up some tips to minimize the security risk of using credit cards, which has been reproduced below for your convenience: |
|
|
|
|
|
- Don’t give out your credit card number(s) online unless the site is a secure and reputable site.
- Sometimes a tiny icon of a padlock appears to symbolize a higher level of security to transmit data. This icon is not a guarantee of a secure site, but might provide you some assurance.
- Don’t trust a site just because it claims to be secure.
- Before using the site, check out the security/encryption software it uses.
- Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.
- Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate.
- Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box and a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is correct and working.
- Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address and be wary of sellers who use free e-mail services where a credit card wasn’t required to open the account.
- Consider not purchasing from sellers who won’t provide you with this type of information.
- Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
- Don’t judge a person/company by their web site.
- Be cautious when responding to special offers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).
- Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
- The safest way to purchase items via the Internet is by credit card because you can often dispute the charges if something is wrong.
- Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card numbers.
- You should also keep a list of all your credit cards and account information along with the card issuer’s contact information. If anything looks suspicious or you lose your credit card(s) you should contact the card issuer immediately.
More information on Internet Safety can be found at
http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/internetschemes.htm |
Tags: using credit cards safely tips
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 at 12:11 pm and is filed under MythBuster.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.