Is it safe to use your credit card on the Internet?

In the early days of Internet commerce, websites did not have adequate security; but things have dramatically changed.  The first sites popped up in 1994 and did not really take off until 1999, but fear of credit card theft kept many shoppers offline. In 2004 the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council realized the need for strict guidelines for online shopping. Companies such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover developed a protocol for Internet retailers that include constant updates and testing, firewall installation, and anti-virus software to prevent data mining with worm viruses.  These regulations have made using credit cards on the internet safer that using them at restaurants and gas stations. Although many sites are secure, there are several precautions that you should take to make sure you are fully covered.

1. Make sure the site you are on is a trusted and verified business. You can check to see if it is a member of BBBonline or TRUSTe, which will let you know if any complaints have been filed against them regarding credit card fraud. 
2. One easy way to check if a website is secure is in the search bar, if it is “https” as opposed to “http” then it is a secure connection. Also, many sites will have a broken or unbroken lock in the browser bar to indicate a secure site.
3. Be careful of online scams, many sites will offer to sell you something dirt cheap (CDs, books, diet pills) and then your credit card will be charged every month because the user did not read the fine print.
4. In addition, you should be hyperaware of the liability and protection offered by your credit card company.  Although most cover theft, they can still hit you with a fifty-dollar liability charge. It is much safer to use a credit card than a debit card online because you can file a complaint to the credit card company if a vendor does not follow through and receive your money back and the vendor can end up paying the liability costs.
5. Never send important information over e-mail because they are not secure. Beware of e-mails asking for information regarding princes with overseas accounts or winning a sweepstakes, and all they need is your banking information.

Fraud is everywhere and it is important to protect yourself. So, is it safe to use your credit card online? The short answer is yes but there are still several measures you should be taking to keep your credit card information safe.