Protecting your credit card from fraud and identity theft online

Online shopping can save you time, effort and even money. There are, however, risks associated with using your credit card online. Shop smart and stay safe with our helpful tips.

What is credit card fraud?

While most online transactions go through safely, it is possible for criminals to steal your card details and use them to pay for services.

Credit card fraud comes in many forms, but in today’s digital age ‘phishing’ is the most common. As the name suggests, fraudsters create legitimate-looking emails and websites as bait, in an attempt to trick you into parting with your personal and financial information. This information is then used for identity theft; the criminal will use your details to fraudulently obtain goods or services.

Luckily, there are ways to avoid this happening in the first place.

Browse carefully

In most cases, the payee will be familiar to you, but it’s important to ensure you’re on the provider’s genuine site. Here are some ways to stay safe:

• The web address should always start with ‘https’ – the ‘s’ stands for secure.
• You should see a padlock or unbroken key symbol in the browser window frame.
• Use a search engine to check reviews of the store you’re purchasing from.
• Check the delivery and returns policy to ensure you know your rights.
• Remember: paying by credit card offers protection for purchases. If an offer looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Shop safely

Whether you’re using your computer, mobile or tablet, keep the following tips in mind:

• Hold on to receipts, electronic or otherwise.
• Create strong passwords with a mixture of numbers, letters and punctuation.
• Ensure you have up-to-date antivirus software running before going online.
• When making a payment to an individual, use a secure payment site such as PayPal. Never transfer money directly into a bank account.
• If you’ve logged in or registered your details, always remember to log out. Closing your browser is not enough to ensure privacy.
• Check your bank statements carefully. If you spot something that looks unfamiliar, contact your bank or building society immediately.

What to do if you’ve been a victim of fraud?

Rest assured that marbles uses the latest technology to keep your details secure. If you’re unsure about any transactions on your statement, please call 0333 220 2692. To find out more, check our FAQ section.