[heelpin]

Many spam websites claim that they offer "secure ordering," but is this always true?

At the moment, the principal means of providing security for web transactions is the use of HTTP over SSL (secure socket layer) along with 128-bit "strong" encryption. When your browser is connected to a site protected in this fashion, you will see "https" rather than "http" up in the URL window, and (depending upon the browser) a little "closed padlock" icon (and not an "open padlock") around the periphery of the browser window. If you see these, you can be relatively certain that your credit card numbers (or other sensitive information) will not be transmitted "in the clear" over the internet where others might be able to capture them.

 

[deberosa]

I only order from larger reputable sources over the internet (Sears, Farmtek, McMurray, etc.) I also have one low limit credit card that I use only for internet transactions to limit the amount of info is transmitted about me. AOL keeps coming up with a "wallet" feature, but I don't like to have others store that information.

 

[Guest]

You are probably more at risk from some waitperson or cashier, or someone who is still using a knucklebuster with carbons.

 

[Okie-Dokie]

We do shop extensively over the internet, but never order on line. Almost every buis. that has a web site also has a toll free # listed. We do order over the telephone and feel reasonably safe.

 

[CJ]

I agree with RAC. Why would you feel more secure handing your CC to some teenager at the local Git-n-Go than entrusting that the site you're submitting it to won't get hacked?

 

[RobinAnn]

As a small independent internet bookseller, you wouldn't believe the number of folks who want to call me on the phone and give me their credit card numbers directly versus using a secure sales site like Alibris, Abebooks, or even Paypal! (I don't do my own c/c processing.)

I could be anyone and do anything with their c/c!!!

 

[Little Quacker in NC]

thanks for opening this thread! Can you all tell me how PayPal works? It was suggested to me that I look for an out-of-print book on Egg bay or E bay or some such but I am "goosie" about doing this.

Thanks! LQ

 

[adofus]

Why worry about it. We use a 'prepaid' MC & Visa. We wanna order something, we put money on the card. Use it up right away. Nothing on the card to 'hack' No chance of hacking. They don't allow you to charge past the prepaid amount. Bank of America has one, I know a few others do as well. BOA is only 15.00/yr fee to have it. Pretty cheap for not having to worry about internet shopping.

 

[Jena]

I have been internet shopping for years, never had a problem at all. I don't even really check to make sure it's all secure anymore, just assume it is.

However....I do have a low limit card so even if someone got it, they couldn't do too much damage.

I have used paypal for at least a couple years as well. I have never had a problem, but there are horror stories out there, mostly from people who depend on paypal for their business revenue flow. I would be leery of it that way.

Jena

 

[Jena]

I forgot to ad...

Paypal likes to try to get information out of you...such as a social security number. I will not give that to them, nor to anyone who is not legally required to have it. I think they also ask for my mother's madien name...again, I have not given out that info..can't remember if there was a way around it or I made one up.

It does pay to be careful with sensitive info like SSN, even your date of birth. I always use 1-1-1963 for that...right year, wrong dates.

It's easy to cancel a stolen CC number, but not as easy to undo identity theft and that's just the info they need to do it.

Jena

 

[Guest]

I have offered dialup internet service for years (since 1996), and most of my customer accounts are created using a direct link for credit card signup off my websites. I have never had a problem having numbers intercepted while using credit card processing online.

My operation is a little more tricky that most online retail sites, since I have to instantly create a dialup account & email account upon a successful credit card transaction, and then I have to bill the same card monthly. Most Internet vendors simply process a one time sale.

One time credit card sales are most often run through Authorize.net, the biggest and most popular Internet based credit card processing gateway. Authorize.net does not allow the vendor to see the customer credit card numbers or expiration dates, vendors can only see the last four digits of the card number.

Internet credit card transactions are safer than you might think. The more you learn about it the safer it will seem.

 

[sisterpine]

I also have been internet shopping via credit/debit card for years without any trouble at all. Did have one problem once when the kid from the local Pizza Hut took my card info and ordered stuff over the internet, but he is now in jail and i did not have to pay for his stuff and my credit was not damaged! Always review your card statements and then you will know if something is amiss, the credit card company does not charge you if someone steals your info and buys something. But they will prosecute the sucker!

 

[soulsurvivor]

If I can avoid crowds/traffic and chaos then shopping online is the only way to go shopping. I like the froogle site for price comparison and use the coupon sites for finding discounts. The only "by foot" shopping I do now is in the grocery. Also use only a low limit cc for transactions. Is paid off monthly and never ever give identifying info to online sites. Not one problem in almost 8 years of shopping online.

 

[RedneckWoman]

I have been buying nearly everything via the internet for about five years or so. Usually the only things I buy from a r/t store now are groceries or household things (unless there is a really huge sale that doesn't apply to the website). I am a little leary of smaller websites but have ordered from a few. I think it is all relatively safe. I haven't had any problems so far.

 

[Gary in ohio]

SSL and having a lock closed is only a small part of a secure web site. It means nothing for the security of your credit card order. It only secures the connection between your computer and the company your ordering from.
IF the web site saves your credit card number unencrypted or has poor security practices then SSl does you no good. Many small web sites run the a order/inventory system on the same computer there web site is running on. If not propertly managed and controlled your "private information" can be available to the public.

Many spam websites claim that they offer "secure ordering," but is this always true?

At the moment, the principal means of providing security for web transactions is the use of HTTP over SSL (secure socket layer) along with 128-bit "strong" encryption. When your browser is connected to a site protected in this fashion, you will see "https" rather than "http" up in the URL window, and (depending upon the browser) a little "closed padlock" icon (and not an "open padlock") around the periphery of the browser window. If you see these, you can be relatively certain that your credit card numbers (or other sensitive information) will not be transmitted "in the clear" over the internet where others might be able to capture them.

 

[comfortablynumb]

I order a lot online, ive never gotten burned.
open a checking acct just for online buys. this way IF something goes weird all they can scarf is whats in that acct.. i use paypal to transfer $$$ to that bank acct as needed or i drop it off while I am out.

paypal works fine for ebay buys.
I wouldnt sweat about it to much just use a seperate acct so thats the only acct info going out online and that acct always has next to nothing in it.
I alos agree i am really hesitant to let a human carbon my CC# or even see it. thats the BIG risk, online buys are all automated and few if any eyeballs ever see your numbers...

 

[ajoys]

Buying over the internet is my prefered method of shopping and over the years I have never had a problem. I also buy from the one man shops a lot, they usually have good prices and give some great advice.

 

[j.r. guerra in s. tx.]

I shop a lot on-line, but only pay with a money order. That way, no way can anyone steal / take more than the amount given on the check.

I might be starting to get into some trouble though - a company I ordered some merchandise with has not sent the order. They claim they never got the check, but it is possible that they may have cashed it without sending the order.

Well, I have a receipt, but its going to cost me some money to find out if my check was actually cashed by this company. And the amount (just over $50) is almost not worth getting the check made - $20 service charge. .

So maybe my method isn't that smart after all. This is the first time in 20 years that this has happened.

Just my experience.

 

[Guest]

It costs that much to research a US postal money order? Wow!

 

[OUVickie]

IMO, if the site is a secure one and pretty well known, it's not likely there will be any danger. The problem usually occurs when a person unknowingly contracts a virus with a trojan hidden in it and ends up with a key stroke logger on their machine. If you keep your anti-virus up to date and don't click into pop-up adds, you're a pretty safe user.