Learn How to Keep your Personal Information Safe while Online Shopping

Because online shopping has become so popular, online credit card fraud has taken a leap as well. While you are not able to control fraud and deception online, you can take steps to ensure your transactions are secure and your personal information is kept safe.

Use a Secure Browser – Whether you use Internet explorer or Firefox, make sure your browser has the most up-to-date, advanced encryption capabilities to ensure your information is secure when transmitted to a website.

Shop Secure Websites – In a similar vein, it’s smart for you shop with secure websites. Online retailers that are secure have a SSL certificate, which means they employ technology that encrypts your credit card number and other personal information when it’s being transmitted through the web. Make sure you see the padlock icon on the browser or “https” in the URL of the website. These will show you that the site is secure.

Check the Privacy Policy – It’s important to check a website’s privacy policy before you provide anything personal or make any online payments. Know how the information will be used and if its disclosed to any third parties (this shouldn't be the case). Some websites’ privacy policies are easier to find than others; look on the about page, under the FAQs, or at the bottom of the home page.

Keep Personal Information Private – Make sure not to disclose any personal information such as your name, address, social security card or credit card number unless you are sure who’s asking for the information and why.  Also, never give out any online usernames and passwords.

Review Monthly Statements – To ensure you don’t become an unknowing victim of credit card fraud, make sure to look at your monthly credit card statements for any suspicious activity. Contact the issuer if you find any strange charges that you cannot account for and have the card immediately cancelled and replaced.