How Do I Know It's Safe to Use My Credit Card Online?

The advent of the Internet and its subsequent popularity has led to a massive increase in online shopping. Many companies now advertise and sell their products on proprietary websites. Using a credit card online is common practice. There are, however, some unethical companies and individuals who will attempt to defraud potential customers and steal identities. Prior to making any purchases online, you must verify the security of a web page.

Instructions

1

Trust your instinct. If you are solicited by a person, marketing advertisement or email and are prompted to enter your personal information (including your credit card), take caution.

2

Review all purchases and online "cart" summaries prior to entering any card information. Many website encryption processes allow only a certain amount of time to review and enter consumer information for online purchases. This is especially true when purchasing airline tickets.

3

Look for the image of a padlock if you are using a Windows operating system. This icon will appear on the far right side of the web address in the URL box. This is the universal symbol for a protected and encrypted web page.

4

Look at the URL itself and verify that it begins with "https" rather than "http." This will appear on all protected sites, regardless of your operating system.

5

Contact the company if you are unsure about the security of your transaction. A representative from the company will be able to direct you to the encryption and security company monitoring the site's safety. You can then contact this company to discuss its safety.