Avoid online credit card fraud

In most cases when making any online based purchase we faced with the inevitable fear of having to make a payment using our credit card.

The major questions I always ask myself is; Who else sees my information? Can I trust the people that do see my information? Now that I've given out my details will I be charged again unknowingly?

These are major concerns when we consider our hard earned cash.

Below with thanks to the American Federal Bureu of Investigation (FBI) I have compiled a few tips for you to use to ensure your online purchasing safety.

• Never give out your credit card information to a website or company that you do not trust, or are not certified. A good way to know the safety factor of the site is by its Security levels. You may see a small lock in the corner of the screen, this shows that this page is safe from outside intrusion, however you should always check that the start of the url is https:// and not just http://
• Don't trust a site just because it claims to be secure.
• Before using the site, check out the security/encryption software it uses.
• Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.
• Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate.
• Obtain a physical address rather than simply a post office box and a telephone number, and call the seller to see if the telephone number is correct and working.
• Send an e-mail to the seller to make sure the e-mail address is active, and be wary of those that utilize free e-mail services where a credit card wasn't required to open the account.
• Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type of information.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller’s area.
• Check out other websites regarding this person/company such as ours online-pharmacy-reviews
• Don’t judge a person or company by their website. Flashy websites can be set up quickly.
• Be cautious when responding to special investment offers, especially through unsolicited e-mail.
• Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
• If possible, purchase items online using your credit card, because you can often dispute the charges if something goes wrong.
• Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card number.
• Keep a list of all your credit cards and account information along with the card issuer’s contact information. If anything looks suspicious or you lose your credit card(s), contact the card issuer immediately.
• If possible use a debit card with the exact funds required for the transaction, this way you know that no more money can be taken from your account.

I hope that these tips will see you safely into your online purchasing future.