Online shopping is convenient and, done properly, very safe. These are the checks that keep your card details out of the wrong hands.
The internet is not dangerous by default — careless habits are. A few simple checks let you shop online with confidence.
Check the address bar
Look for "https" and a padlock before you type any card details. Read the domain name carefully; scammers register look-alike addresses that swap or add a single letter. When in doubt, navigate to the site yourself instead of clicking a link.
Never pay from an email link
Phishing emails imitate banks and retailers to lure you onto fake payment pages. Treat unexpected "update your payment details" messages as suspicious. Open a new tab and type the official address yourself.
Use extra layers
Pay through a mobile wallet or a trusted checkout so the merchant never sees your real number. Enable your bank's two-step verification, and consider a virtual or single-use card number for unfamiliar shops.
Mind the network
Avoid entering card details on public Wi-Fi. If you must, use a secured connection. At home, keep your browser and devices updated so known security holes are patched.
For shoppers who also manage store credit, our guide to checking a gift card balance online explains how to identify the correct issuer balance page.
checking a gift card balance online