Eve D, co-founder of myZone.co.za recgonises that consumers need help to venture online and shop.
If you are one of the 24,5 % who shopped online until your mouse dropped during the festive season, then security is clearly not an issue for you. For those that have yet to test the online shopping waters and have grave concerns about the safety of your credit card, fear not. MyZone.co.za, South Africa`s newest home on the Net, has compiled a few statistics that may help you venture into cyberspace with more ease.
Is your credit card information really safe? This is a primary concern for online shoppers, and an understandable one. Here are some key facts that you need to know first:
You are at risk of fraud every time you use your credit card, whether it is online or offline.
You can be a victim of online fraud even if you have never shopped online. All that is needed is for the wrong person to get hold of your card number, whether it is by reading it off your credit card statement, your credit card receipt or theft of your card.
It is VERY difficult to get banks to refund you money you lost as a result of fraud. Local banks are taking the attitude that this is the customer`s problem.
If a site uses SLL standards, it is no more dangerous to use your credit card online than offline!
So, taking this into account you are probably wondering how you can protect yourself?
Never authorise monthly debits from your credit card account. Always pay these by debit order from your cheque account.
If in doubt about the security of a site, always give your credit card number by phone.
Never email your card number anywhere. Some fraudsters have programs designed to pick up 12 digit numbers transmitted via email.
If possible, keep two credit cards and use only one of those for Internet purchases.
Do not keep a higher than necessary limit on this second card. Even if the number falls into the wrong hands, charges are likely to be declined.
Instruct your bank not to authorise any Internet or foreign charges on your main card. (Your bank will most likely say they have no control over this. They DO, and you must fight until you get this approved.)
Pay attention to the "seriousness" of the site itself. Is it a legitimate business? Is there a contact telephone number and address?
Rather pay with an ecurrency like ebucks or bluebean rather than with a credit card.
We mentioned that the use of SSL is vital when online shopping. Most consumers probably don`t know what this is and how to use it?
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, and it is a technology that is used to encrypt information sent to and from specific Web pages.
Even if the information that is transmitted is intercepted en-route, it can be of no use to anyone. The message is only decoded once it arrives at the Web site from which you are purchasing your goods.
If you are using a recent version of Netscape or Internet Explorer, there is a very easy way to see whether the site is secure. Look in the bottom right corner of the screen: there should be a yellow padlock, or a key. That should tell you that the site is secure. You can click on the picture to find out more about the security level of the site.
NOTE: It is not necessary for the ENTIRE Web site to be encrypted. Only the pages that request your credit card number need to be secured.
So now that you know what to do, what should you look out for when you are online shopping?
Use your common sense and intuition. If a site looks or feels suspect, that should be enough reason for you not to shop there.
Never give your credit card number out until you have finished shopping, and know the full cost (including delivery) of your purchase.
Never email your card number to a merchant.
Never submit your card number unless there is a yellow padlock or key in the right hand corner of the page.
Read the small print of the site carefully. What are the return policies? What are the warranties? What if the goods are damaged in transit? MyZone.co.za has compiled a summary of many site policies to assist you when online shopping. Simply visit myZone.co.za, and compare them carefully.
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