People scared of banking and buying online

[danrok]

Story is here:
http://www.aoaforums.com/frontpage/i...d=449&Itemid=2

What do you think? Have you ever had problems with this issue?

[Daniel ~]

Sometimes the only smart thing to be is scared!

[cloasters]

Thank you for posting this link, danrok! Fuhgettaboudit, if the etailer doesn't have a phone number, I won't buy from them anymore. I've been very lucky--as far as I know--. The credit agencies and card companies should tighten up the process whereby any dang crook can query your credit status.

"But it's for the convenience of our customers," say they. Maybe this is partly true. Too bad, we need security more than convenience.

[skool h8r]

I've been lucky as well, i only buy from reputable companies such as OCUK, ebuyer, etc. I've only bought from Serif once and that was over the phone but nothing bad has happened. I only put money in when i need it anyway (i don't have a job yet, might be starting one at currys at christmas time) which is one of the best things to do IMO. Just keep in enough to keep the account open. This doesn't apply for many people though.

[Aedan]

To be honest with you, my experience with things like credit card fraud is that you're much more likely to suffer it because you handed your card over to a dodgy waiter in a café than because someone broke into an etailer.

Credit/debit card companies and their processors are a prime target, and they know this.

Would I hand my details over to someone I didn't know? No.
Would I hand my details over to someone working in a foreign call center? Not unless I was sure what they were going to do with them.
Would I click on a link in email to go to my bank's online portal? Nope - I'd immediately discard anything from my bank that came by email. They should know better than to use email.

[danrok]

Originally Posted by Áedán

To be honest with you, my experience with things like credit card fraud is that you're much more likely to suffer it because you handed your card over to a dodgy waiter in a café than because someone broke into an etailer.

The only person I know who has had a problem did just that. Paid in a restaurant whilst on holiday with his CC. Has happened to him about 3 times - he has a good sun tan.

Never let your card out of sight!

[fantomfreq]

I don't have as many years' experience with the subject as many of you, but I'm not worried about my credit card number being stolen. They'll find out that there really isn't enough money on it to warrant them stealing it and I'm covered for any fraud.

While there have been massive amounts of credit cards stolen recently, let's put it all into perspective: how many people around the world have credit cards? How many numbers have been stolen recently in these big things? What percentage of cardholders is that? It's most likely a fraction of 1%. Your chances of winning the lottery and getting your credit card stolen are probably comperable. However, there is something to be said for being savvy about who you give your CC number to.

[Aedan]

Using 2003 numbers - 1.6 billion cards in the US, 40 million card numbers stolen? That's 3%.

[fantomfreq]

Originally Posted by Áedán

Using 2003 numbers - 1.6 billion cards in the US, 40 million card numbers stolen? That's 3%.

So maybe the chances aren't as low as I thought (and they seem to be getting higher by the day ) but these numbers getting stolen will do some good. These companies are realizing that sub-par storage methods are no longer going to be acceptable and hopefully secure all personal information better than it has been secured as of now.

[noob]

I find I have the best protection against CC fraud - I don't have one

If an internet company doesn't have provision for direct credit - well then my thoughts are they are dodgy

Everything I have bought online - not much admittedly - has been via direct credit - my bank has a facility called fast check, it rocks
All I do is fill out their details, bank account no., amount, and refrences - then money is transfered instantly. Much safer - they don't get account details or anything much.

Some places even make it cheaper than paying by CC
I just bought 2 89W TEC's for $NZ53 (~$US30) inc courier, saved me $NZ6 over paying by CC or any other means (except cash instore of course)

[Aedan]

Wiring the money is ok, but a little more difficult when you're sending it overseas. Of course, wiring the money gives you no protection against the trader being fraudulant!

[noob]

True but most goverments have a list of businesses, and its usually easy to find.

Also I try not to buy from overseas for that very reason - only sites recommended by people who I would trust, and have bought from there, maybe even some people from some forums that have been around for a while and a few people have bought from there

only about 4million people in NZ so its damn hard to hide from a determined person

[Aedan]

There's only 12 million people in the city I live in... Makes it a lot harder to find who you're looking for! (or them to find you)

[noob]

Forgot to say (cos hardly anyone knows where NZ is) it also consists of 2 main islands and its about 3hrs flying to the closest country - over an ocean - so even harder to hide

Also the goverment list of registered businesses does help - especially in tracking the ******** down

[Aedan]

I was in NZ a few weeks ago on a business trip you see.

[noob]

No offence intended - hope you got to see some sights
Just so many people get us mixed up with Australia
Or just don't plain know where we are

[danrok]

We know the difference in the UK.

My cousin lives there now.

[noob]

Well its my luck to people who know
If I assume people don't they do
If I assume they do they have never heard of the place

[fearless joe]

i buy of loads of random web sites, but in genral, i only use ones that have been recamened by people i know,
my point, if you want something in particular start a 'where should i buy what ever' thread on here, someone will know
joe

[calgar]

IMHO, you are safer with a computer than with some random person who is stuck in a low paid dead end job