Safe Purchases: Cash, Check, Credit, or Debit?

Experts are constantly reminding us to be careful when making purchases both online and in retail stores. In the booming dot-com economy of the 1990s, a secure connection was the biggest concern when submitting your credit card information to make an online purchase. Things are so much more complicated now.

Cyber criminals have gotten more sophisticated with phishing sites and schemes that are so well-designed that they can fool even the most technically savvy person. It is more important than ever to be sure that you are dealing with an authenticated site that you trust and not a counterfeit site.

At one time, it was considered very naive to carry large amounts of cash because of the risk of being robbed. Traveler's Checks were popular with frequent commercials about losing your cash on a trip. It was difficult to get check approval, and not having cash meant you risked being humiliated at the check-out. Then came plastic.

First credit, then debit cards became the preferred method of payment. Experts warned that running your debit card as a credit card was safer when making purchases. We were told not to input our passwords unless absolutely necessary to heighten the security of the transaction.

Last year, one common type of crime involved stealing the numbers off of a customer's credit card. Experts have started warning against sending your card with the waiter to pay the bill at a restaurant where this is often the only way to pay. You know the type of restaurant; the server disappears behind a wall for a few minutes with your card, and finally comes back for your signature. In that window of time, anyone could quickly record your account number, expiration date, and security code and be on the way to a luxurious vacation at your expense!

Now, a lawsuit by a leading retailer group against the credit card companies has brought some major changes for users. The lawsuit dealt with the high fees charged to retailers who accepted credit cards, but it ended up backfiring. Retailers have the legal ability to charge surcharge fees for anyone who pays with a credit card! This starts Jan. 25, 2013.

So, how do consumers know the best way to pay for purchases online and off? Of course, each situation differs, but using a PayPal debit card is one good choice. PayPal is nothing new to online shoppers and those who enjoy bidding on eBay. Did you know that they also provide a debit card free of choice if you would like one. It can be used as a credit card with a cash back incentive.

How does this card, or others like it, make things more secure for you? There are limits on the amount of purchases that can be made in one day on a PayPal account. This is an important safeguard. You can transfer money as you need it from your main bank account to make a large purchase. PayPal has a service where you can receive an email anytime there is any activity on your account, either online or in a retail environment.

This is one of the best options available for secure shopping online and from the comfort of home.

Learn more about the new credit card laws that permit stores to charge a fee for using your credit card here on the Tri-Cities Top News Examiner. http://www.examiner.com/article/credit-card-fees-are-now-possible-but-not-probable

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Garrett

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