Thankfully, credit cards have built-in fraud protection that isolates consumers from the risk of credit card theft and fraud. However, no one wants to be in a situation where they have to right a wrong – getting transactions reversed isn’t as easy as 1-2-3. Let’s look at some ways you can make sure that your credit card information is safe when you shop online:
1. Use secured sites
Look for the SSL lock image at the bottom of a web browser when shopping online. Secured sites tend to start with “https” instead of “http.” This is just a rule of thumb that is not always true, but one which will make sure that you are on top of your game when making decisions about where to shop online.
2. Never click email links
If you can avoid it, do not open sites or links that are emailed to you. Instead, type in the store’s URL into your browser to avoid common email phishing scams.
3. Use a secure password
Passwords are the most important part of keeping your online accounts safe. Try to use passwords that have a combination of capitalized and uncapitalized letters, numbers, and symbols like “&” or “^.” Very few people use a secure and strong password – most use their pet’s name or date of birth, which makes it easier for thieves to break into an online shopping account. Always use a different password for your online accounts than you use for your email or other accounts.
4. Check your credit card statements
Check and confirm your credit card statements against any receipts you have throughout the month. Often, stopping credit card theft early makes it much easier to resolve than a problem caught several months after the fact.
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