Because online shopping has become so popular, online credit card fraud has risen dramatically. While you can’t control fraud and deception online, it is important to take steps to ensure your transactions are secure and your personal information is protected.

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 important you shop with websites that are secure. 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 both indicate that the site is secure.

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


Keep Personal Information Private – Don’t 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, check 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.

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