Buying from a website you don't know much about it, is it save to give your credit card info?What is the risk?

Answer 1

most places will also accept a money order or a cashiers check, it will take a lot longer to get what you purchase.

Answer 2

It can be, there are several attacks that can be used to get your credit card information, but being wise will help reduce them.

Attack #1: Someone at the website takes your credit card number and info and uses it elsewhere (this also works in restaraunts, or anwhere you show your card).
Internet Defense: Discover Card and Citi card have security options that you can log on to their website and get a temporary credit card number. This number can ONLY be used by ONE vendor (the first, and presumably the one you properly gave it to). Any attempt to use that number anywhere else will fail.

Attack #2: Attempt to get your credit card from the internet as it is transmitted.
Defense: If you are using https, this is incredibly difficult. In Internet Explorer, make sure that the address bar begins with https://, not http://. It is VERY easy to strip information from http://. Also, NEVER give personal info via e-mail.
https:// is pretty secure, but it is not 100% secure. If you get a warning that "this certificate did not come from the proper source", or "this certificate is expired", abort. There are hacking methods on https:// that will cause you to get those messages.

Misellaneous Defense #1: If someone has used your card fraudulently, you are only liable for $50.00, and you don't have to pay your credit card bill until it is resolved. However, you have to notify the credit card company promptly and it's generally a pain in the butt.

Miscellaneous Defense #2: Never use a debit card to pay for a transaction. The money comes direct from checking, and you can suffer all kinds of overlimit fees and such. In the end, you are only liable for $50, but instead of arguing that you don't have to pay them, you have to argue that they give you your money back. That's much more of a pain in the butt.

Miscellaneous Defense #3: Avoid using paypal. Paypal is a payment service, kindof like Western Union. It only guarantees that the person you send the money gets the money. It doesn't guarantee that person is honest. If you do use paypal, read their dispute resultion sections in detail.

Miscellaneous Defense #4: Don't send a money order. Once they have that, they have cash, and it's unlikely you can force the vendor to supply merchandise or sue them in a equitable manner. Overall, credit cards give you the best defense against dishonest vendors.

Answer 3

No its not safe, The Risk Having a Empty bank account and a maxed out credit card look the company up on the BBB website www.bbbonline.org

Answer 4

I am an attorney barred in both PA and NJ. It is relatively safe. The only risk is $50. According to Federal law, you are only liable up to the first $50 for credit card theft. That is why it is a waste of money to sign up for credit protection services with the credit card.

Answer 5

I guess it depends on the website. You should always go on your gut feeling. If there is a contact number, I would first contact them and see. If its for a business like getting paid for surveys etc. I wouldn't do it. Never pay an initial payment on a website for making money. All they will do is steal your credit card info. and your identification. BE CAREFUL! and good-luck!

Answer 6

When in doubt, pay by pay pal.
You can also google the site to see if there are any complaints about them. You can go to www.whois.com to see who owns the site and you can also google them to see if you see complaints or bbb complaints.

Answer 7

I wouldn't give any number to any person over the net. caveat emptor Buyer beware.