What is the general consensus on online credit card transactions here?

[Adrian Tung]

I just got my mastercard, but am still a little cautious to use it for online transactions (I'm thinking of getting some books from Amazon and some software from Sonic Foundry).

What is your opinion or stand in this matter, especially about the security issue?


Thanx!
atwl

 

[Viper22]

Been using CC's online for over 2 years now and have never had a problem. Go for it just make sure whatever site you use it on is secure.

Viper22

 

[randomlinh]

yeah, always make sure its secure, and just keep tabs on it to make sure there aren't any charges that shouldn't be there. CC companies are generally good if something happens, it's just a hassle you have to go thru.

 

[Stallion]

I do it all the time. I bought all my PC stuff online and about $1500 worth of car parts with no problem. We also get airline tickets online.

Most of the time if you have a bogus charge you can just call your card company and tell then that you got charged for something that you didn't order.

 

[perry]

SSL doesn't matter unless you know someone is at the switch snooping for your CC number. The amount of junk transmitted over the internet in comparision to the amount of CC numbers is overwhelming. Someone would have to be at your ISP's switch parsing all of the data that goes out and look for the number. Like looking for a needle in 10 acres of hay. Not gunna happen.

The most important part is dealing with a company that has good security on their 'back end' that stores all of the CC numbers of their customers. If that database server gets hacked, you're fscked. Hacking that server is much more cost efficient that snooping through packets at an ISP.

I've used my CC on non SSL encrypted transactions a few times and no problems.

 

[Wangel]

I've been ordering junk off the internet for years. Only had one problem where one company I ordered stuff from the sales clerk actually took my credit card number and ordered stuff from another company and had it sent to her house. Caused a lot of confusion, but they fired her and made sure my credit card was cleaned up.

 

[CinderElmo]

Don't be scared to use your credit card. Ordering stuff online has saved me countless hours of searching local shops or using the phone. As long as you go with reputable vendors as much as possible and keep a close eye on your CC statements you will be fine. If you do find a purchase you didn't authorize just call your CC company and they will most likely void it and issue you a new number without much hassle.

 

[Batti]

You should make sure your browser is doing 128 bit encryption for SSL to be of value....

 

[whooosh]

Its safer then handing your ACTUAL credit card to a Waiter at a resturant, and who knows where he take it to.
It has happened here in SoCal several years ago, the FBI shut down the entire resturant because everyone with involved with making copies of Credit Cards from the customers.

 

[Spoooon]

I've spent over $2000 on computer stuff online and have had no problems whatsoever.

 

[Davegod75]

ditto...no problems here

 

[Quickfingerz]

most credit card co's havev "zero liability" that's all that matters.

 

[thebestMAX]

Been buying for years with no problems.

 

[Soybomb]

I've easily bought many hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of stuff online and never had any problems at all.

 

[Fathom4]

This slays me. People worry about a CC transaction over the Internet but will go to a resteraunt and hand the actual card over to strangers and let them walk away with it to charge a meal..

..I'll take a transaction over the 'net anyday.

 

[Adrian Tung]

Thanks for all your advice!


atwl