| With so many concerns today with identity theft and | | | | worsened. |
| stolen credit cards, the safety of transacting business | | | | For those who think it's safer to transact business with |
| with a merchant who is willing to accept a credit card | | | | a merchant who is willing to accept a credit card by |
| by phone remains on the minds of many people. We | | | | phone, think of this-the person at the other end of that |
| know that with secure websites, firewalls, and other | | | | line may take your credit card numbers and use them |
| safety precautions, the Internet is usually a safe place | | | | for his or her own benefit. With a computer-generated |
| for transacting business using a credit card, but what | | | | purchase on a secure network, no one at the |
| about using the phone for credit card processing? | | | | company sees your credit card information. It is |
| How safe is it to give your credit card information to | | | | securely stored within the confines of the credit card |
| someone on the other end of a telephone? This is | | | | processing system, which is why many online retailers |
| especially of concern with so many people today using | | | | ask for the secure three-digit code that is on the back |
| only wireless or cordless telephones. | | | | of your credit card. The code identifies that card with |
| Unfortunately, many people still think of the telephone | | | | an individual person as it is making its way from the |
| as a mechanism that is safer than that of the Internet, | | | | SSL network to the computer of the credit card |
| but the problem with that line of thinking is that there | | | | processing company, and finally, the credit card issuer. |
| are no safeguards built into the telephone. It's easy for | | | | None of the personal information reaches the hands or |
| anyone with even a minor knowledge of electronics to | | | | eyes of a person unless you fail to secure your |
| learn how to tap into someone's phone line and record | | | | information, and it finds its way into the hands of a |
| their conversations, including those that obtain personal | | | | hacker. For the shopper who wants to protect his or |
| information such as social security numbers, credit card | | | | her identity, the chances of that happening are far less |
| numbers, bank account information, and much more. | | | | than the risks you take when placing an order over the |
| This is simpler still with cordless phones that actually | | | | hone to a person. |
| access radio towers rather than telephone lines. | | | | Of course, there are those who don't have access to |
| Remember the influx of irregularities of the 900 | | | | a computer that rely on the integrity of merchants who |
| numbers that were billed to people's phone lines as | | | | will accept a credit card by phone, and this will likely |
| direct dial access, and there was no one home at the | | | | never change. However, for those customers, it's |
| time? Many fought with the phone companies over | | | | important that you follow all precautions, not the least |
| that, and some were stuck paying bills for charges | | | | of which is to never give your credit card number to |
| they never made. Consider if things are really much | | | | anyone who calls you. If you are not the one making |
| different than before? It appears that with all the | | | | the original phone call, then protect your personal |
| advances in technology, it is likely that the problem has | | | | information. Instead, ask for a number to return the call. |