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Credit Cards Section

How To Avoid Credit Card Fraud (Page 2 of 2)

Summary:
Internet shopping is secure because not only are the websites protected but all Cards will refund money stolen as long as the customer isn't to blame. This page looks at how to make sure your online shopping is safe.

How To Tell If An Internet Site Is Secure

  • If you want to use you Credit Card to shop online there is a simple test to see if the website is secure and using encryption to process sensitive details

  • With a normal webpage such as the one you're looking at now it will start with;

  • http://

as in;

  • http://www.learnmoney.co.uk/some-page/

The http:// means that the page is NOT encrypted and why would it be because LearnMoney.co.uk is just an information site and requests no financial details from our surfers.

But if you're going to be giving over sensitive data including your Credit Card details then the page must start like this;

  • https://

as in

  • https://www.somebank.com/login/

The 's' after http stands for SECURE which means that your browser software (the program, usually MS Internet Explorer that you use for surfing the web) encrypts (encodes) any data that is inputted before it sends it through cyberspace. The data is then decrypted at the other end.

To further make sure that the information is being encrypted look for the little padlock image in the bottom right of your browser software which will appear when you're dealing with a secure site or page.

Note: most pages of any site don't have to be secure, just the ones where sensitive information is being inputted.

If you' re using MS Internet Explorer (which 90% of people do) and you want to check what level of security the software is set at do this

  • click the 'Help' at the top of your screen, then
  • 'About Internet Explorer' and look for the level of Cipher Strength
  • 128-bit is the strongest and most secure

Reporting Losses & Fraud

All credit card companies have 24 hour Freephone numbers that you should call as soon as you either lose your card or suspect some foul play.

The companies would much rather deal with a false alarm that have a real problem emerge later. Also, if you're on holiday, even a far off destination, there will either be a local number for you to call or the UK number will still work if dialling from abroad. If you don’t have the right number to call try to find it via the internet. Whatever you do don't wait until you get home to report any problem.
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