how safe is it to use debit cards for on-line purchases these days?

BigAl3 · 09-08-07, 12:26

i was curious how safe it is to use debit cards for on-line purchases these days? the only time i use my debit/check card is if i'm purchasing items in person like at wal-mart, target, k-mart, etc... i primarily use one credit card specifically for this, but hate waiting for the bill to come and would rather have my money taken out immediately. not to mention... my debit/check card is the one i use most frequently for withdrawals, deposits, etc.. also, i wouldn't want any hassles/problems having to get a new account, checks, etc... where as with a credit card i could just cancel it... any good advice/recommendations?

truzoom · 09-08-07, 12:54

It's mostly safe.. as long as you are sure who you are doing business with.

Alternatively, I think some banks and even PayPal offer a temporary CC# service where you can get a one-time use account for buying online.

cvpiftw · 09-08-07, 01:34

Safe.

I use mine all the time without any issues.

Most banks offer some form of protection.

kompressornsc · 09-08-07, 04:14

Safer than handing it to a cashier / waiter, etc. I forget the perrcentage, but I just saw a news story on this recently. Per transaction, it's a lot more likely that your number will be swiped by someone you hand your card to vs. online.

mikebai1990 · 09-08-07, 05:38

Well, I would personally use a credit card for online transactions. Debit cards deduct money directly from your account, so if there's a mistake or anything, it's harder to correct. With credit cards, you have a company which you can call to resolve disputes, perform chargebacks, etc. I suppose debit card transactions are fairly safe nowadays, I don't know for sure, but if the debit card really gets into the wrong hands, it's going to be harder to get your money back compared to if you had a credit card.

zingyginger · 09-08-07, 08:06

The problem is any computer can get hacked and numbers (either debit or credit) stolen and used by the hackers. For as long as your number is saved on any server, it's at risk.

After I started doing a lot of my shopping online, I switched to using virtual account numbers which is generated by my credit card company (mine happens to be Citibank). The number expires after a month and can be used only at a specific online store so even if it's stolen, it cannot be used to make purchases elsewhere. You can even cancel the card number after the transaction to make sure it's not used again (not advisable if you might need to return an item, however).

I also used credit cards' customer service reps when products never arrive or arrive damaged and the merchant doesn't want to make good on the purchase. The good ones keep calling the merchant for you until the dispute is resolved.

GregCavi · 09-08-07, 08:16

I use my debit card online all the time and with the hundreds of transactions I have done with it, I have had 0 trouble. I would say it is quite safe. A thing to look out for is that in the check out of the site is has a https then the web address. the S means secure.

Greg

zingyginger · 09-08-07, 08:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl3

i primarily use one credit card specifically for this, but hate waiting for the bill to come and would rather have my money taken out immediately. my debit/check card is the one i use most frequently for withdrawals, deposits, etc.. also, i wouldn't want any hassles/problems having to get a new account, checks, etc... where as with a credit card i could just cancel it...

If you want to see your bill before it arrives, most credit cards let you see your current purchases online before the final statement is processed.

My debit card's number is different from my checking account number so when I lost my wallet recently, I just had to get a replacement card. It did take several days to get it compared to the credit card which, if I wanted, I could get the next day by paying a nominal fee.

mikebai1990 · 09-08-07, 08:18

Yea, but as zingyginger said, with credit card purchases, most credit card companies (I've heard AMEX is very good) help you resolve any issues, such as items not received, incorrect items, refunds, price protection, fraudulent merchants, etc.. With debit card, it's harder to do that.

A virtual credit card seems like the best way to go. One-time use numbers that can be created whenever you need it. Prevents any overcharging.

a.k.a. Patrick · 09-08-07, 08:36

Knowing/trusting who your doing business with beforehand provides a sense of security also.....

zingyginger · 09-08-07, 10:10

Not to scare anyone but security breaches are common.

In one of the big ones recently, for over a year, 45.7 million credit cards were stolen from the computers of TJX (parent of T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods and other chains) using software to capture data including names, addresses and driver's license numbers.

It came to light after some people were caught using the stolen credit card #s after they spent over $8 million in Walmart gift cards. Although a Ukrainian man who was suspected of selling the credit card info online was arrested in Turkey, they haven't found the original perpetrator(s).

http://www.informationweek.com/share...leID=201400171

Another example: a recent accidental printing of credit card & debit card numbers by a newspaper:
Security: Another Day, Another Quarter-Million Credit Card Numbers Made Public - Consumerist

So unless your online retailer is writing this down on a scrap piece of paper, processing the charge then throwing the scrap away, there's always a risk. If you can, ask the merchant to save only the details of the transaction, not your personal info.

paul34 · 09-08-07, 10:35

it's okay, but it's better to use a credit card.

Assuming your debit card is a quality one and goes through a major credit agency... you should be entitled to free fraud protection. But its more complicated if something does happen with a debit card.

I once had a $100 charge from MALAYASIA on my old debit card. Had to get some forms signed and even notarized (!!) to get it taken care of. What's funny is that I only used that thing once or twice.

Anyway, I just use my credit card everywhere now, unless someone doesn't accept American Express. Then I'm kind of forced to use my Visa debit card from my online bank.