In today's online world, you need to protect yourself.  This includes protecting your bank, credit card or debit cards and  account numbers and pins.  Below are some tips to help you keep you and your information safe online.

1. Make sure your credit card issuer offers fraud protection on Internet purchases.  This is the best reason to use credit cards (vs. direct checking account withdrawals.)  If your credit card doesn't offer protection, consider getting a new one for online purchases.
2. Get a password for your credit card for online use.  Not all online merchants will check, but many of the major ones do.  This is extra protection can not only prevent a crook from using your stolen account #, it may alert your CC company that fraud attempts are taking place.  See the Verified by VISA FAQ for more details.
3. If asked for account information via e-mail or unexpectedly online, check it out first.  Call or e-mail the company asking for this information.  If using e-mail, do not reply to the e-mail, go to the company's web site, find contact information there and write to that address.  You don't want to end up asking the crook if his previous e-mail was legitimate or not.  See our page on Phishing for more about this subject.
4. Check for signs of security when providing personal or account information.  See the Security Check link to the left for details on how to do this.
5. Be alert for forged web sites.  Be especially careful if you got to the site via a link in an e-mail or a link on a questionable web site.  See the URL Spoofing link to the left for more information.
6. NEVER send payment information via e-mail.  E-mail is completely insecure.  E-mail is sent in plain text and is not encrypted (scrambled) in any way.  It also may pass through several servers between you and the company.  Many legitimate merchants will let you use phone, US mail or a fax to send your payment info.
7. Don't use your card for any activity which is considered illegal in your area (Internet gambling for example.)  If you use your card for an "illegal" activity you may not be able to recover money should something go wrong.
8. Shop with merchants you know and trust.  For a new merchant (especially one you've never heard of) you should check with the better business bureau  in their area.  Look around their site and see if it is a complete web site or only offers a few pages.
9. Check who owns the website and where they are located. Go to http://networksolutions.net/en_US/whois/index.jhtml and search on the site's domain name.  (ie: for the site secure.dceverest.com you would search on just dceverest.com)  This should give you the owner's company name, address, and possibly other contact information.
10. Beware of sites in other countries.  While there are many legitimate merchants around the world, dealing with fraud in a foreign country (especially overseas) can be much more difficult than dealing with a domestic case of fraud.
11. Read delivery and return policies on the site.  What are your options if you don't like your purchase when it arrives or you find out it's the wrong size?  Will the site owner sell your personal information?  Do they store your credit card number on their server?  These are all good things to know BEFORE you buy or give out personal information.  The most reliable online merchants will always make this information easily available.
12. Read privacy policies and statements on the site.  If the site doesn't have one, or if you don't like what it says, don't give your personal information to them.  If a site's privacy policy says that they sell or give away your information to marketing companies or spammers, then it is their legal right to do so.
13. Check for hidden shipping or handling costs.  You don't want to be surprised with $40 shipping and handling on a $5 purchase.
14. Keep a record of your online purchases and compare this to your statement.  Report any discrepancies in purchases or amounts to your credit card company immediately.