CREDIT
CARDS - WHAT NOT TO DO ONLINE
WARNING WILL ROBINSON - WARNING
- WARNING!!
I hope the gentleman
involved doesn't take offence at this story being told
but as I am not mentioning his name and it is in the public
good, I'm sure it will be cool.
He sent me an
email with a query about purchasing a methodology on the
site and asked about credit card payment and I, of course,
directed him to the paypal section on the method he was
interested in. Well somehow, things got lost a bit in
the translation and that's when almost disaster happened.
Next thing to
arrive was another e-mail from him with his credit card
number, expiry date, and the 3 digit security number form
the rear of the card.
Oh dear oh dear
- a recipe for disaster!
Now while I
value this person's business, he doesn't know me from
a bar of soap or what my criminal proclivities may or
may not be.Had I been of the criminal element next week
would have been a GREAT week and this man's Visa card
would have been maxed out and then some. And, because
he had obviously given the security PIN to someone, he
would not have been covered by the bank's fraud policy.
NEVER
EVER EVER undertake
this type of transaction by giving someone you don't know
details about your credit card like that. This site uses
Paypal for security reasons and you should too for exactly
the same reason. Giving your security PIN to a web site
person you don't know should be high on your list of things
NEVER to do.
While
we're on the subject here are more smart tips for using
credit cards:
Consider using
a safe Internet payment system, such as PayPal.
Make sure your browser
supports SSL (supported browsers include Internet Explorer,
Safari, Opera, Chrome and Firefox).
Don't send your credit card number in an e-mail - e-mails
are broadcast over the Internet in plain text and can
be intercepted by anyone.
Avoid using public computers (e.g. Internet cafes, libraries
etc) for Internet banking.
Only use your credit card to shop at reputable sites.
Investigate the company before shopping online. Do they
have contact phone numbers? Are they located in Australia?.
Don't let anyone
swipe your card twice without giving you a 'transaction
cancelled' receipt.
Use the microchip if your card and the merchant support
it. It is more secure than the magnetic strip.
Don't ever sign a blank transaction receipt.
