Safety Tips for Using Your Credit Card Online

You probably already know that I am a HUGE fan of online shopping.  I like that I don’t have to battle the crowds, the parking lots, the lines.  Best of all, I don’t drive all the way to the store only to find that they don’t have the size, color, or even item I am looking for.  No thank you.  So, with the holidays fast approaching, I thought I would share a couple of tips for keeping your identity safe and still enjoying all of the perks of online shopping.

1. Don’t use debit, only credit cards.  Credit cards usually have better consumer protection plans, and even if your debit card does have one, remember, if someone gets into your account, your money isn’t returned right away.  There has to be an investigation by the company–which could mean you have ZERO cash while you are waiting for it to all get sorted out.  If you don’t prescribe to the notion of credit cards, buy yourself a visa gift card to use for online purchases.
2. When possible, use Paypal.  Paypal is designed to protect you from fraudulent charges and you can pay using your debit card if you want.  Plus, if something does happen, you get your money back almost immediately.
3. Don’t make online purchases on public computers or public WiFi.  Period.  Do it from the comfort of your home {preferably in fuzzy pajamas and with bed head}.  Public computers are a breeding ground for identity theft.
4. Make sure you have anti-virus software installed and up-to-date.  It will save you a lot of hassle.
5. Shop only at reputable sites.  This is a big one.  I try to stick to websites of stores and online retailers like Amazon, otherwise, you just can’t be sure that the product will be guaranteed and that your personal information is safe-guarded.
6. You can tell if a site is secure via your mobile device if the website has https in the address.
7. Create a folder for all receipts on your email account and save EVERYTHING there.  You can also print it, but I don’t like the paper clutter.  That way, you will have a spending trail to show your financial institution should someone get a hold of  your information.
8. Be smart about passwords and make a different one for every site.  It’s also smart to change them up a couple times of year.
9. Log onto your credit card account DAILY during the shopping season.  That way, you will know RIGHT AWAY if something is awry.  {As an added bonus, it will help you track your personal spending.}
10. Check with your credit card company, a lot of times, they will allow you to create a disposable one-time credit card number that is linked to your account.  You can use that number to make a single purchase.  Should anyone get a hold of your information from that transaction, it won’t do them any good.

How do YOU keep yourself safe when shopping online?

~Mavis