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Posted: 3/30/2006 11:29:28 AM EDT
I admit, I've always been a bit "old fashioned," I've never actually entered a credit card number online to buy anything, I always mail a money order. I'm just paranoid, I guess. Maybe it has something to do with my ignorance of computers....I hear from someone that using a credit card on a cable modem is a bad idea, I've assumed it's deadly true ever since (if for no other reason than I don't know better).
Anyways, I'm kind of sick of having to take the time to buy a money order, fill it out, mail it, etc., every time I want to buy something off the internet. Is it really not that big of a risk? I mean, after all, if it does get stolen, you can just cancel the card and everything's peachy keen, right?  Thanks |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 11:31:47 AM EDT
[#1]
read you policy, alot of cards these days will garuntee losses. just NEVER use a debit card.
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Posted: 3/30/2006 11:33:11 AM EDT
[#2]
I have a $500 limit card I use for web purchases. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 11:39:07 AM EDT
[#3]
Why not use a debit card? Last I checked it was the ONLY payment option that has full anti-fraud protection. You may get money back from fraudulent CC transactions, but CC companies are allowed to charge a deductible or penalty type fee in these instances. Debt card companies are not.
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Posted: 3/30/2006 11:40:25 AM EDT
[#4]
i wouldn't worry about it.
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Posted: 3/30/2006 11:42:07 AM EDT
[#5]
I've used credit and debit cards online many times and never had a problem, the thing you most need to worry about is the credibility of the person/website your purchasing from.
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Posted: 3/30/2006 11:42:17 AM EDT
[#6]
It's relatively safe nowadays... Use well known sites.... Make sure the transaction is running on a secure page ( you'll see a little padlock icon in the bottom bar of your browser). Often times vendors will offer to store your credit card information, so uncheck that option.
Check your credit card statements religiously. I've used my debit card before, but only with sites I'm comfortable with, and I monitor my account pretty regularly. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 11:42:53 AM EDT
[#7]
The question is, is the company you are buying from reputable? Thats where the risk is.
IE, don't buy Viagra from spammers.... |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 11:44:19 AM EDT
[#8]
How you're connected to the Internet makes no difference. Cable modems just connect you to the internet, same as a phone modem, DSL line, or fiber.
As long as the site is encrypted, you should be fine. If it's not, don't enter your CC info on the page. Call them and give your CC number over the phone instead. You can tell if it's encrypted by looking for a padlock icon in the bottom-right of your browser, assuming you're using IE. Also make sure it's a reputable company. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 11:47:45 AM EDT
[#9]
I would strongly recommend using a credit card instead of a debit card. Federal law protects CC users. No such law protects debit-card users. Some companies offer debit-card protection, but it's up to the company. And if someone swipes your debit card info, they can clean out your bank account. If they steal your credit card, they can run up your CC balance, but they can't touch your money. There is no fighting to get your money back. You always have it. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 11:48:56 AM EDT
[#10]
When you swipe your card at any regular store you are transmitting the data through a wire. When you give it to the Waiter/Waitress in a restaurant you are giving them access to your number.
In the old days when they used the imprint machine and created a hard copy you were giving the store (and probably anyone who worked there) complete access to your card number. Point is that using a computer is no different. People might be able to steal your number but the chances of it happening are small. And it’s a risk you take anytime you use your card. You probably can get your money back from a debit card, but it might take a few days, or even longer. That’s a long time to be without cash after your account has been emptied. So, just go to another bank and open an account that will give you a debit card. Put $500.00 (or whatever) or so in there and use that debit card for normal purchases or for ordering online. If you need to get something more expensive then just move some money into that account. One benefit is that you can’t impulse buy as easily but the big benefit is that you aren’t giving the numbers on your main account every time you use your debit card. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 11:50:36 AM EDT
[#12]
I buy almost everything online with my credit cards. I've never had a problem and I watch my purchases like a hawk.
I don't own a debit ("check") card and never will... |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 11:50:56 AM EDT
[#13]
Because some banks that use FSLIC do not pay off until they receive an affidavit that money was stolen from your debit/checking account. With a Credit card, you never lost YOUR money, it was the banks money. It is just a matter of resetting your account, rather than you bouncing a check for your house payment, get it? I use CC without fear, online, all the time. My CC guarantees 100% satisfaction and no loss for fraud that is reported in a timely manner. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 11:53:05 AM EDT
[#14]
nah doubt it was copied, there have been some games with random number generators and card programers lately... |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 11:57:07 AM EDT
[#15]
Check your card issuer's website. Citibank and Discover both have "one-time use" card information available for people to use for internet transactions. It helps reduce the chance of fraud, and protects your main card number. Jim |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 12:07:50 PM EDT
[#16]
As long as it's a legitimate business then your card number will be encrypted and safe during transmission, which means it doesn't matter what kind of internet connection you have.
And I have to say, trusting someone with a money order is much more risky today than using a credit card. There is no liability for you with a CC or Debit card. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 12:09:29 PM EDT
[#17]
Don't use a debit card, your CC will protect you in case of fraud. My credit card number was stolen a few days ago, a number I"ve had for years and protect, and was charged for a total of $20k from England... never been there. I won't have to pay a dime.
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Posted: 3/30/2006 2:08:36 PM EDT
[#18]
I had a similar experience with a credit card, and also didn't have to pay anything. IIRC, the maximum amount you're legally obligated to pay is $50. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 2:13:54 PM EDT
[#19]
never had a problem and I buy a ton of crap on-line.
Like someone said don't buy from a spammer |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 2:18:55 PM EDT
[#20]
Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahaaaaaaaaaa.....that's funny....don't buy Viagra from a spammer.
But, why not? 
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Posted: 3/30/2006 2:19:41 PM EDT
[#21]
I`ve used mine for the last couple years with out a single hitch.What i do,is check my statement everday online to see every transaction.I only use American Express.
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Posted: 3/30/2006 3:41:08 PM EDT
[#22]
unless there's a "man in the middle" attack it's likely safer than giving it to the waiter at a restaurant to go swipe out of eye sight
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Posted: 3/30/2006 4:11:56 PM EDT
[#23]
I have stopped using my debit card completely. I only use it to get cash from the cash station. Absolutely do not use yours on the internet. You do have fraud protection similar to that of a credit card with the debit card. The problem is with your bank. What do you do when the bank freezes your account to complete its investigation? It may take a few weeks for them to determine you claim is legit and to credit the money back to you account. How do you pay your mortgage, car payment, etc while you are waiting???
Use a credit card as much as possible. That way its not your money that gets stolen |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 6:07:35 PM EDT
[#24]
I have used a debit card on the net but I only did it once since I prefer the money order game or the over the phone game.
Since I have another bank account I would expect only the debit card account would get frozen since it is not linked to my other account, I did not get the overdraft protection thing they talked about. If both accounts there get locked, I go mess around at my other bank that is a bit of a drive away since that is where my savings are stored so I can't go get them easily. In a few hours I would have more than enough to handle expenses for 6 months or so. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 6:14:07 PM EDT
[#25]
Whether or not it's a cable modem has nothing at all to do with it. If a site is SSL secured, the chances of your transaction being intercepted are very, very low. If your web browser shows an address starting with https:// instead of http://, you are using SSL encryption. Just need to make sure WHO the vendor is. If you are buying books on Amazon.com, you'll be fine. If you are buying goat porn from some Nigerian domain, I wouldn't be so sure. I purchase TONS of stuff off the internet, and have for many years. I've never had a problem. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 6:30:38 PM EDT
[#26]
Do broadband services (unlike DSL or dialup ) not broadcast your packets on the same "line" shared by everyone in your neighborhood who has the same service as you? |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 6:33:41 PM EDT
[#27]
That's layer 1 and 2 stuff. SSL encryption operates (IIRC) on layer 5. DSL/Cable may operate like ethernet, but I couldn't care less. The marginal increase in risk is no big deal. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 6:55:35 PM EDT
[#28]
Hell, I don't even use money orders, it's too easy for them to backtrack the serial number with the issuing agency and find out your address based on past purchases at said agency.
What you have to do is stop sending money orders, and completely get that credit card idea out of your head. I use only decommisioned money (ie Confederate money, old coins, etc.) in all of my transactions so as to be completely untraceable. You ship it cross-country in an unmarked box to one of several unloading stations. Once it gets there it's sold at auction by an "agent" who then uses this clean money to go and buy your ammo or porn or whatever and ship it to you from an anonymous address in a different zipcode. This is the only way to protect yourself against identity theft, and I mean the only way. Remember to double up your tinfoil hat, make yourself a disguise and some fake ID, and for God's sake please don't go anywhere near the internet. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 8:24:03 PM EDT
[#29]
 ----------------------- BTW, thanks everyone. Considering the amount of money I blow on stuff I find on the net, this will make my life a whole lot easier in the future (or a whole lot worse, depending on your point of view  ....).
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Posted: 3/30/2006 8:30:28 PM EDT
[#30]
Using your credit card at any retail store is more dangerous than using it on the Intarweb. Your communication with the server is encrypted, and with larger well established companies only a very select few employees can actually view credit card data.
My wife used her debit card at Taco Bell an employee there ran it for "cash back" and took $60 out of our account (they refunded it when we called them). Anytime someone handles your credit card they can memorize the number, write the number down, video tape it, whatever. Don't be afraid of the Intarweb! |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 8:36:41 PM EDT
[#31]
Exactly. Debit ("Check") cards are linked to your bank account. Once that's compromised, they can clean you out. If they run up a credit card, you can dispute the charges, but you still have money for important stuff like paying the power bill or the mortgage. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 8:39:27 PM EDT
[#32]
You probably have more of a chance of someone stealing your info at the local retail store than you do on a encrypted internet site.
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Posted: 3/30/2006 8:40:56 PM EDT
[#33]
I'll put it this way:
I'll enter my credit card number over unsecured wireless, as long as I'm doing so over SSL. You don't need to be worried about packet sniffing - it's the site you're doing business with that could potentially screw you. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 8:46:55 PM EDT
[#34]
Businesses these days use automatic systems for cards, either over a phone line, or more commonly these days, using a broadband internet connection. They hardly ever use the carbon slips anymore.
I've worked on software and networks used for credit card systems. If I were allowed to tell you some of the horror stories, you'd never use a credit card again. The same holds true for online banking and online bill paying. Everyone focuses on the encryption and the physical transmission media, but I like to make the analogy "putting money in an armored car to transport it to a cardboard bank vault." The weakest link is the business end, but banks aren't immune to this either and are higher profile targets. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 8:49:31 PM EDT
[#35]
Everybody's advice is good stuff on this thread.... Except... Make damned sure that in addition to your anti-virus software, you have a really GOOD real time spyware monitor. It only takes a couple of seconds for spyware from an infected email or website to install itself on your system. One of the industry favorites is CA's Pest Patrol, which they are now selling to consumers instead of just to corporations.
I won't connect to the internet without active anti-virus, firewall and real-time anti-spyware monitor running. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 9:00:07 PM EDT
[#36]
+1 They can look at my packets all they want. It would take them forever to break the encryption. I've bought a zillion things over the past 8 years or so I've had cable and had no problems. It is the store you have to worry more about, any decent online store should pose no problems. |
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Posted: 3/30/2006 9:10:23 PM EDT
[#37]
I've used debt cards to make online purchases for the last 3 years. I've, literally, ordered hundreds of things on dozens of different sites.
Guess what? Not one unaccounted transaction that I didn't authorize. Also, I don't own credit cards and never will. Interest sucks, and you definately end up paying more than you original did. |
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Now I have a $500 limit card for all mail order purchases.