| Online purchasing has in recent years skyrocketed into | | | | You should NEVER provide details by email. Any |
| a massive industry with millions of purchases being | | | | respectable site will have a secure customer accounts |
| made online everyday from a vast variety of online | | | | process and won't resort to emails. Emails are easily |
| retailers. However, this massive influx of internet | | | | intercepted by fraudsters so you should never put |
| purchasing has brought with it a vast increase of online | | | | your card or personal details in an email whether to a |
| credit card fraud and fraudulent sites. Thousands of | | | | business or a friend. |
| online shoppers have their details stolen online and as a | | | | If you are using your card online then try to make sure |
| result loose thousands of pounds to fraudsters. But | | | | your bank or credit card provider offers fraud and |
| how can these thieves be caught out and how do you | | | | credit card theft cover and insurance. There are a |
| protect yourself? | | | | variety of credit card companies such as Egg who |
| In the online marketplace it's a little more complicated | | | | provide cover specifically for online shopping. |
| than someone lifting your wallet out of your back | | | | When creating an account with a company make sure |
| pocket and there are no 100% methods of ensuring | | | | that you provide a secure email that only you have |
| you're completely safe. There are however steps you | | | | access to. Also, when choosing a password, ensure |
| can take to reduce the risks. | | | | that it contains both numbers and letters and is over a |
| First and foremost ensure that the sites you are using | | | | certain length (the minimum length for most |
| are secure. It's always better to use a site that you | | | | respectable sights is over eight characters). Ensure |
| know a friend has been using successfully for some | | | | that you do not pick anything too generic or easily |
| time or a site that is advertised widely such as | | | | guessed and don't let other people use your site. |
| Amazon or These are large sites with thousands of | | | | Respectable online retailers use secure payment |
| users, so they will have to provide the most secure | | | | gateways for online credit card processing making |
| methods possible for transactions. If you come across | | | | them more reliable and secure. With these methods |
| a site you haven't heard of before then make sure | | | | and some well applied common sense your online |
| you check up on it before providing your details to | | | | shopping can be more secure allowing you to browse |
| them. | | | | with some measure of confidence. |