Credit Card Security Tips While Shopping Online

Shopping in the holiday season has shifted  online in recent years. Shoppers no longer converge on crowded malls and stand  in long queues. Shoppers now shop online because it saves time and money.  Unfortunately, scammers and fraudsters are using this time to scam more  shoppers. Traditional credit card use also sees a spike in fraud when the  holiday season comes around.

Know The Phishing Tricks That The Scammers Use

Online consumers can't possibly memorize every single  online phishing trick, but they should know of the common things that are seen  frequently. Be aware of things that jump out that could signify a phishing  attack is about to happen.

1. Look out for weird URLs
2. Check for misspellings in the e-mails
3. Ignore urgent pleas for any kind of your own personal information

Shop At Sites With The SSL Standard

The long-form name of SSL is secure sockets layers. That is how they are  appropriately called, help make sure the online transmissions are thoroughly  encoded and encrypted. The name of the organization will also be checked out.  Consumers should verify that the site uses SSL by looking at their Internet  browser's address bar. The SSL should replace the http. Secure Sockets Layers  is the word for the acronym, SSL.

Check Out A Green Bar

Few sites take security to a whole new level with the green bar. Some secure  shopping sites use a new standard called EV SSL, which is the top peak of  security anywhere on the web. If a site has this level of security, you can be assured  they are a trusted vendor. But just because they have SSL doesn't mean you  shouldn't shop with them.

Look For A Golden Lock

Coming in as one of many of the top features of SSL security is the gold  padlock within their Internet browser. When a user undergoes a website checkout  process, he or she should see a gold-colored padlock. Double-click on the gold  padlock to verify the company prior to going through with the transaction. This  should give you an added feeling of security. Whenever you're supplying  personal information or checking out, you should see this padlock.

Know The Path You're On

There are a variety of tempting and alluring offers in your e-mail inbox every  day. Most of them are too good to be true and shouldn't be trusted. Some of them,  however, are from legitimate sources that you can trust. Don't open anything  from a vendor that you haven't heard from before, and don't click on any links  you're not sure of.

Look For The Seal Of Trust

Good organizations will always display a trust seal of the provider of their  SSL security certificate on their homepage. This is during the checkout  process. Take it one step further by clicking on the site seal to make sure  it's legitimate. Be sure to check out if the date and name of the organization  are consistent with the site you're on. If there's a discrepancy, leave it.

Update Your Browser To The Newest One

Newer browsers have newer EV SSL security  features so if you're using a new computer, then you need to have upgraded to  the newest browser.

Make Sure They Require Card Three-Digit Code  Input

The majority of online retailers should mandate  the three-digit code from the back of your credit card. It is the CVV, also  sometimes seen as the CV2, code security feature when you turn your card over. If they don't have an input field for this number, then don't complete the  purchase or go through with it.

Don't Make A Transaction On Wi-Fi

Don't make a public transaction when you're  hooked up to a Wi-Fi computer. Wi-Fi public networks can let your credit card  information out. Don't let anyone snoop and find it. Make purchases only on a  home protected network.

Log Out Each Time

Sign out of each site that stores personal or  online bank information when you leave any computer. This may seem obvious, but  many people forget to do it. They may find out that their friends have stolen  all their money.

Don't Get Any Browser Plugins

Don't install browser plugins unless you know  the source and you know it's trusted. Some toolbars just seem out of this world  as far as the benefits they provide. Don't just install something and expect  that some personal information won't be stolen. Know the source and install  from trusted vendors only. The big computer companies have trusted toolbars  compared to fly-by-night toolbars that you've never heard of.

Use Ironclad Passwords

Don't use a password that is easy to remember or  figure out. Include numbers, multiple letters, and both cases of letters. Be  sure not to use the passwords when logging into your bank account or when  shopping on work computers.

Ignore Pop-UP Messages

Set your browser to ignore pop-up messages. If  you do see a pop-up message, then click the X. Pop-up messages can sometimes  grab data.

Select Merchants Carefully

Don't select merchants indiscriminately. Go with  trusted online shopping only from the merchants you trust. Don't choose a  vendor you've never seen before if the offer is really good. Chances are the  same product will be on Amazon.

Review Privacy Policies Carefully

Check out the vendor's privacy policy at the  merchant you're shopping at. You don't want your personal information being  shared with other vendors. You need to know how it will be collected, how it  will be utilized, and how it will be seen by other people.

Don't Leave Credit Cards Lying Around During The  Holidays

Some relatives and friends might not be as  trustworthy as you think. During the holidays, there is a lot of shopping and a  lot of moving about. Oftentimes, relatives are in from out of town. One of them  may have a young son or daughter that is particularly prone to stealing.  Remember, you don't know these people. Your nephews and nieces might not have  been seen for several years. Or you might not know them personally.

This   article was written by Timothy Ng. You can read more of his work at   CreditCardFinder.com.au where he has a number of comprehensive guides to all   types of credit cards.