Techniques for a Safer Internet Shopping Experience

If you consider the safety of your banking information on the internet as an important concern, you're not alone. In the wake of recent high-profile breaches of privacy on the internet, many web users who shop online or use internet banking services have attempted to tighten up their online presence in order to make themselves less vulnerable to spam attacks or phishing scams. In 2006, for instance, while total card fraud losses in the UK fell by three per cent, card fraud losses in the internet category rose by a hefty 16 per cent - from £183.2 million in 2005 to £212.6 million. But what exactly can you do to ensure a safer internet shopping experience?

For starters, make sure any websites that you attempt to buy goods or services from have a clear and visible security symbol, so you know your details are safe. Additionally, if your purchase is from a retailer that you've never heard of before, it makes sense to conduct a quick search for them on Google, to check that there is no negative feedback about them on any consumer message boards. Some credit card providers even offer extra protection for people buying goods online; Visa, for example, has just implemented a new password-protected service that aims to eliminate the risk factor from online retail.

However, if you want to make extra sure that you have control over where your credit card details end up on the World Wide Web, it's often a better idea to restrict your purchases to online retail forums that don't have to involve you giving out your credit card details to anyone. Online auction sites, like eBay or Yahoo! Auctions, often use escrow services when making payments, which don't actually involve the buyer and the merchant exchanging banking details at any time. Popular examples of escrow services include PayPal and Google Checkout.

Alternatively, online classifieds can also provide a much safer internet shopping experience. Replying to an online classified ad means that you'll have made direct contact - either by phone or in person - with the person from whom you're buying your goods. This means that you'll be able to pay them in cash up front, or send them a cheque - thereby eliminating the need to exchange your personal bank details over an internet server that's not sufficiently secure. It'll also mean that your credit card details won't end up sitting in a large company's online database just waiting to be hacked by an international computer criminal!