Is It Safe to Use My Credit or Debit Card to Book Online?
The Internet allows you to book hotels, air travel and concert tickets without trekking to busy box offices or waiting on hold for half an hour. Online booking has become so common that many people don't stop to consider whether it's safe. However, when you use credit or debit cards online, hackers, thieves and other criminals can potentially capture your information, and use it to rack up charges or drain your bank account. Fortunately, you can protect yourself from this risk by taking a few simple precautions.
Other People Are Reading
-
Secure Sites
-
Consumers should always research vendor websites to determine whether they're secure. A padlock icon next to the web address in the browser window indicates a secure website, as does the appearance of "https" instead of "http" in the site's address. Businesses that encrypt important security information are usually safer; such sites should display security certificates from well-known authentication services like VeriSign. Take time to research the company's privacy policy, refund policy and security measures. After checking the company's standing with local consumer agencies, the Better Business Bureau, and trusted friends and family members, you may decide that it's safe to use your credit or debit card online.
Home Computers
-
Online booking is safer when you're operating from a home computer equipped with up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware programs. If you're not sure whether your home computer is safe from this type of attack, it may not be wise to book online. Otherwise, criminal systems known as "keyloggers" may capture your keystrokes, so that hackers can learn your account information. You should definitely avoid booking online using public computers or private laptops in libraries, bookstores, cafes and other areas with wireless Internet.
-
Temporary Accounts
-
Some institutions, including Bank of America, make it safer to use credit and debit cards online by linking your account with a temporary card number so that you can make secure purchases. Only your lending institution knows that it's a temporary number, so vendors don't need special software or applications to process your booking. While this service adds an additional level of protection for online purchases, it may not be available to all customers or all card types. If you don't have access to a temporary account number, designating one card for online use can limit potential damage.
Warnings
-
Never use a credit or debit card to book online at websites to which you've been directed by a promotional email in your inbox. Otherwise, a criminal practice known as "phishing" may lead you to unwittingly reveal important financial information to a fraudulent websites posing as a legitimate company. When you're booking online, be aware of "shoulder surfers" who may be spying on your purchase to learn credit or debit card account numbers. Also, keep in mind that debit cards generally offer less protection against theft than credit cards, since they're essentially checks that result in immediate withdrawals from your bank account.
Recordkeeping
-
When you book online, print out any purchase-related documents, including confirmation pages, warranties or delivery details. Carefully check your records of online purchases against your bank and credit card statements. If an odd or incorrect charge appears on your statement, call the business and the card issuer to dispute it as soon as possible.
-
References
- Photo Credit credit cards image by Aleksandr Lobanov from Fotolia.com
