Many people opt to use their credit cards when shopping online and this is often because of the perks that come with their cards. However how often have you stopped to think of the safety aspects of using your credit card online? Do you know how to protect yourself from identity theft? Below are five tips to help you protect your credit card and your personal details when shopping online.
1. Look Out for Phishing and Email Scams
The most common type of fraud online today is through phishing and email scams. These basically involve sending an unsolicited email that looks similar to a company you may use regularly (Amazon or PayPal for example). They will entice you to click on the link in the email through either a really good offer or by telling you that there is a problem with your account that requires your attention. Once you have clicked on the link you will be directed to a website that looks exactly the same as the one you were expecting except for the URL at the top. If you enter your details here such as your email address, password, name etc. you are unwillingly giving your details to scammers. The only way to avoid this kind of scam is to avoid opening unsolicited emails.
2. Only Deal with Reputable Sellers
Although nothing online is 100% secure there are a number of ways to identify reputable sellers. You can search the internet for feedback about the company as well as determine how long they have been trading for. The longer a company has been in business, the less likely they are to be a scammer. You will also want to check their shipping and payment methods – sites that use services like PayPal and Google Checkout are more secure than those that don’t – as well as their contact details.
3. Think About Using a Card with a Low Credit Limit
This isn’t a way to totally ensure your safety online but if you have trouble with recognising what is and isn’t safe, this may be a good option for you. The lower your credit limit, the less damage that can be caused should you become a victim to identity theft.
4. Use Added Credit Card Security
Most websites now ask for extra details when entering your card information to ensure your safety. One of the newest ways to do this is by entering your CVV number which is located on the back of your card. If your current credit card does not have this number you may want to contact your credit card company to ask for a newer card that contains this extra security feature.
5. Review Your Statements
And finally you should always review your statements. The best way to do this is with online banking however this is not an option with every credit card company. When you look at your statements make sure to properly go through everything to ensure that you recognise the transaction. Should you see anything untoward you should contact your credit card provider immediately.