Jeremy Zongker asked:




Nowadays, shopping online is a very common thing. Making your purchases without leaving your house is an attractive option for many of us. Purchasing items over the internet using your credit card can be quite an unpleasant experience if you don’t make sure your payments are safe. Although many people consider that using a credit card for online transactions is not safe, they continue using this method but with increased caution measures. The greatest risk we expose ourselves to when shopping online is identity theft. But this is not the only risk, and various studies reveal that people have also other concerns like: personal information will be sold to third parties, unauthorized recurring transactions, not receiving the ordered products or even higher prices than advertised prices.

Many people think that shopping online is risky, but the risk is not greater than others. Taking few precaution measures is the best thing to do unless you want to quite shopping online. First of all, we should not shop from unknown websites. Always look for the companies you know or ask someone to recommend you a site or a company that he/she uses. Still, if you’re not sure of the vendor’s identity try to find his address and phone number and check them. Also check the refund and return policies of the company in case they don’t ship you the right products or you’re not satisfied with their quality. Another thing to be careful about is the browser that you’re using, it has to be a secured browser. A secured browser should include Secure Sockets Layer that scramble the information you are sending over the internet, making the transaction more secure. You can easily recognize a secured web site, because when you’re filling in online orders or applications a closed padlock sign should appear at the bottom of the screen. Another way to make sure that the web site is secure is to check the URL; if it begins with “https” it means the transaction is secure because the “s” stands for secure.

Another important thing to be careful about is your privacy. The information you’re submitting when you use your credit card online should be kept private by the company that receives it, meaning it should not be passed on or sold to third parties unless you agree. Most web sites ask for your permission to use personal details for direct marketing, and if you feel uncomfortable giving them permission you must know you have the right to object. Anyway, before submitting any personal details you should check the privacy policy of an website; if there are things not clear to you give them a call and see if your understanding is correct or not. Do not submit any information, unless you’re absolutely sure that your credit card details are safe.

Being able to safely use credit cards for online purchases is not only the buyer’s responsibility. The vendor has also his part of responsibility in ensuring safe purchases for his clients. Vendors also suffer from credit card frauds. They have to take some security measures in order for them and their customers to be protected against online credit card frauds. Security and privacy are two important aspects a vendor should take into consideration. He must ensure the client that the personal information submitted are kept private and at the same time he must check the details received to make sure that he’s dealing with the real cardholder.

It is a well known fact that online credit card transactions are risky, because your personal information are exposed and can be stolen by others with the intention of using them to commit frauds. Yet, if the buyers are careful to whom they relies these information and the vendors are cautious from whom they receive credit card information, the risks of online credit card frauds decreases significantly. When disclosing personal information, common sense should exist.

Dale

Ndawula M asked:


I dont have a credit card but i want to make online transactions that require credit cards.?
I dont have a credit card but i want to make online transactions that require credit cards. I have the cash with me and i can acess facilities like western union and money gram. Is there any way i can get a credit card safely? Or How can i Make the transactions.
Thanks

Arnold

JayJay asked:


i have a checking account but i need a credit card for my online transactions but every time i get a credit card i cant manage myself. But when i need to by stuff online that aren’t available in stores then i need it any ideas. (usually pay everything with check)

WILFREDO

Me asked:


i want to purchase something of the internet of a prepaid debit card you buy at the store ,but i dont know if i can, because most stores online ask for a credit card not debit card. will a prepaid debit card work as a credit card?

HOUSTON

baby-b asked:


I have a US credit card but will be travelling abroad for a long time. I would like to use my credit card over there for online transactions mostly. Will I incur international fees/charges by doing this?

MARCUS

adrixia asked:


My husband was griping about his 2.4% fees for processing credit cards through paypal. I had a rough time finding different service’s percentage rates. If you process credit cards online, which company do you use and what percentages do you pay? I don’t think 2.4 is too bad, but I don’t really know.

He also pays $30 per month to have the service. He only does online transactions. About 200 per month.

BOBBY