In a world where the internet is instantly available on your phone and your credit card is as seemingly an indispensable a financial tool as any other, more than ever are consumers confronted with the necessity of knowing how to avoid online credit card fraud. Despite the best efforts of security software and even federal initiatives, credit card accounts are still often compromised through digital means and exploited for massive charges.
To figure out how to avoid online credit card fraud, too often customers must rely on trial-and-error, or the unfortunate circumstances of “finding out the hard way.” Considering the importance of having a solid credit score and keeping one’s credit cards in good order, the knowledge necessary to keep your accounts safe is almost as important as the piece of plastic itself.
Common Sense
As with any other activity online, people need to use their heads and consider what they are viewing. If they have received an e-mail about an incredibly favorable-sounding offer, or have a Facebook friend that just promised them a free iPod if they would just sign up for a 30-day membership with a particular website, or even if an ad or pop-up presents a spectacular giveaway, the old adage “if it seems too good to be true, than it probably is” seems to apply even more on the web than any other setting in history. Scam artists, spam dealers, and shady characters still abound on the information superhighway, and knowing how to avoid online credit card fraud means knowing that if something seems even slightly dubious, it is best to be avoided.
Secure Sites
When logging into a secure website, or making purchases, the “htpp” part of the URL in the navigation bar of the web browser should switch to “https”. The “s” stands for “secure,” and can be found on the sites of academic and financial institutions, among other online destinations that utilize the exchange of sensitive information, including making purchases on popular sites like Ebay or Amazon. It may seem like a minor tip for how to avoid online credit card fraud, but looking for that single additional letter in the web address may prevent you from doing business on an insecure site from which any diligent hacker could gain your credit card information.
Limited Scope
Although modern culture, especially in American society, promotes greed and over-spending, these practices are best avoided if you truly wish to master how to avoid online credit card fraud. You may be tempted to pursue every offer and “investment” opportunity you find online, but if safety is a primary concern for you, which it probably should be, then it is instead best to limit your credit card transactions to a handful of trusted, useful websites.
Overall, discerning how to avoid online credit card fraud can seem like a daunting task, with so many virtual foes in the digital realm constantly seeking to steal all they can from you. However, using your brain and making wise decisions is the best defense you can have; although, a healthy dose of conservative fiscal values and a bit of self-control are usually helpful as well.