Information Centre >>> Card Security

A lot has been written about the ‘perils’

of using your credit card to shop on the internet, but in reality, the vast majority of people who ‘take the plunge’ find the experience to be enjoyable, hassle-free and extremely cost effective and they go on to repeat at many stores across the web.

In reality, giving your credit card number to a store on the internet is no more risky than handing your card to a waiter in a restaurant or across a counter at a builders merchant - in all of these situations, your number is duplicated, along with your signature.

With the introduction of ‘Chip and Pin’ technology, the internet becomes an even safer way to shop - with your 4 digit pin required to place an order off the web, no-one can use your card details to make a purchase other than you.

So, what do you want to look for to be sure of a safe, enjoyable shopping experience?

Firstly, does the merchant have encrypted payment pages for your credit card? - you can tell when the page is encrypted by either a closed padlock symbol appearing at the top or bottom of your browser (depending which browser and version you are running), by looking at the address of the payment page (it will start with https:// instead of http:// ) or by looking at the properties dialogue on your browser. All of these mean that your credit card numbers cannot be ‘seen’ by anyone else on the internet apart from you and the recipient.

Secondly, do they have clear contact information? List an address, phone number or fax number?
If they don’t, and they are in the UK, they are breaking the law and beware of purchasing from them.

Thirdly - what is the refund policy - is it clear and understandable?
Remember, under the distance selling regulations, you can return virtually any purchase within 7 days of delivery for any reason.

And finally, do they publish a privacy policy in regards to your personal information so you clearly understand how your private information is to be used and stored?

Find a store that fulfills these criteria and you can be happy that it is a reputable and professional merchant - like us!