What internet payment methods do you use, and why?

[MikeNash]

There's a lot of concern about keystroke recording, identity theft and credit card fraud on the internet.

I'm curious to know what payment methods to people use on the internet, why, and what problems they see with the security of purchasing via the net.

[Antarctica]

Hi Mike,
I use my Credit Card, but only to buy or renew my software liscence. So far I never had any problems but my Security is quite tight.;)

[Blackspear]

I use them all, go where others fear to tread :blink: ;) ;D

Cheers ;D

[Eldar]

Always use my credit card for all purchases on the internet, whether software, renewals, DVD's or any other stuff. :D

Last week I did receive a letter from VISA that fraud had been committed with my creditcard, so I blocked it immediately. :o
They also told me it's under investigation, but I will receive my new card within a week.

All in all a pretty good service from them. :thumb:

[beetlejuice69]

I use my credit card...cuz it`s insured.

[sukarof]

My bank has a VISA card that can only be used on the net.
I log on to my bank, activate my "internet VISA card" for one buy. After that buy it is not possible to use that VISA number until next time I log on to my bank and activate it for a buy. This way I dont have to worry about anything if anybody steals my VISA number since that VISA card is only "open" for a minute or two (until I´ve done my buying 30 days at max)

For my bank login I use a card reader that reads my credit card and certificate for the bank.
So I feel pretty safe.
Before my "internet VISA" I used my regular VISA card for years, only had one mishap;
CDuniverse (USA) where I had bought CD´s got hacked and lost thousands and thousands of VISA card numbers from their database. VISA contacted me and sent me a new card. No problems.

I use Paypal for some minor payments (with my internet visa card) so even if someone gets hold my login details for Paypal they cant use it...I think. Because I asume that Paypal checks that the VISA account, that I have given in my profile, contains money everytime I use Paypal.

[Osaban]

Credit card, and so far no problems.

[dog]

I have a dedicated card for online purchases with a smaller credit limit - I've never had a problem.

[bigc73542]

I have two bank accounts one is strictly for use of my check card for online purchases. It never has more in the account than it takes to keep it open until I transfer some money into it for a specific purchase and I have another account with a check card for regular non internet purchases. It seems to be a pretty good arrangment. ;)

[WSFuser]

i myself dont have a credit card, but both my parents have used their credit card. so far no problems.

[ErikAlbert]

Although I don't like to do this, I had to use my creditcard to pay for
- Total Uninstall
- Acronis True Image
- PerfectDisk
- SnagIt

[^Ale]

I always use my credit card for my online purchases. It's a dedicated rechargeable credit card and I charge only when I have to buy something like software, renewals or other stuff. Never problem with it.

[MikeBCda]

I'm quite happy with my bank's Visa security, so on the rare occasions I can't find a freebie version of what I want, that's what I'll use. I often have to deal with Paypal (as a Visa-handling payment service, that is, rather than a cash account) simply because they're so big and many vendors never heard of other payment services. And while Paypal did have a miserable rep at one time for poor security and customer relations, I think they've done a marvelous job of cleaning house since then.

Monthly bills like phone, etc., I'll pay online through my bank, but that's not online purchases/debits so wasn't the question. My bank wants secure connection just to access their front page, even before logging into my account, plus they frequently post notices about new phishing problems, so I'm happy with that too.

[Carver]

I use my credit card (visa), it is supposed to have a lot of security devices in it. I pay all my bills online with the credit card; buy software; renue existing software-today I renued my firewall via credit card online; I've bought books; CDs; clothes; Stereo Equipment; A TV..all with the credit card online.

[Taz71498]

I use Paypal if available but then I also use my credit card.

Have been a bit sloppy in the past but now I have one machine that I know is clean for sure and will use that computer for purchases because I know it can be trusted.

Almost want one computer just for purchases and nothing else so one does not have to worry about those keyloggers.

I think I worry more about the other end. The companies that have my credit card number and I can do nothing about protecting it and have to worry about their databases getting hacked or some employee having access to my number.

[mercurie]

Similar to BigC. I only use one credit card for net purchases seperate from the other one. It's easy to spot a thief I make so few internet purchases. I'm not a big spender

Also, (sorry, I can not help it after all it is true) I use Boclean to guard against keyloggers and other want to be theives! ;)

[EASTER.2010]

I always use cash, and if they can't accept that paper then i can't help them make the sale. ;D

[MikeNash]

Thank you everyone for the replies so far, it's been a very interesting set of responses - not at all what I might have expected.

Personally, I used to just use one of my credit cards just for internet purchases - now because most of my "toys" can be bought wholesale through my company, it's very rare that I will buy online. When I use Online Banking services, of course I only use it through clean machines, or machines I reasonably expect should be clean.

Part of the reason I ask this question is that a client and friend of mine has just put the finishing touches on a new micro-payment / internet payment system and I was wondering if part of his market could be to people who were concerned about credit card fraud online, or could not obtain a credit card.

I'd expected a much higher proportion of users around here to be concerned about the use of cards on the net - although I've only ever had problems off-net with credit cards (Gym that wants a special form to cancel the payments, but takes 2 months to send the form!)


Mike

[EASTER.2010]

Not to make light of on-line card transactions but is been my personal experience that if i do transact with a card the vendor better have a direct customer service rep who can be reached by phone and offer the customer a reference number to the sale and exact amount. That way there is NEVER no mistakes and if there are they can only access the agreed upon amount and no more PERIOD!

The internet is awash with fraud and phishers and the reviews are in on all the peeps who fell victim to them.

[thebigdintx]

i tried using cash, but it didn't work. i kept pushing my money into the money slot in the front of the computer, but my payments never went through.......then i found out it was a floppy drive!! haha. no, seriously, i just use a credit card.

[the Tester]

PayPal here.
Sometimes with a card,PayPal account balance,or e-check.
No troubles yet.

[SonyaM32]

I pay in cash because I don't have a credit card, bank account or paypal ;D and it's best that way, for me ;D ;D
I drive to the cable company every month to pay for my internet and cable. :) :) :) 8) 8) 8)

[rafael]

I only use credit card payment with reputable vendors. As to others, I use cash.

[TonyW]

I have mostly used my bank card, but other times I have used PayPal.

[gerardwil]

I vote for other.
I avoid everything that smells like social engineering ;)

Gerard

[trickyricky]

I use a Visa card which I only use on the 'net. I have other cards for offline transactions. I also have confidence in my own security and common sense, so I don't feel worried about doing online transactions.

Long before the internet was commonplace, I was victim of a fraud involving my credit card, the details of which were obtained somehow from a shop transaction which has never been identified. The perpetrator of the fraud was arrested and taken to court for a number of similar frauds. So card/payment fraud is nothing new, but simply a lot more possible now we have the internet.

[mercurie]

Fellow Creatures,
Can someone help me out with this one?

I don't trust Paypal never have never will. It seems like a third party system that gathers personal information with weak security. I always keep hearing about things going wrong. Yet so many seem to trust it what am I missing? :-\

I just want to understand. You will be waisting your time attempting to change my mind. :P

[Rasheed187]

I do not feel comfortable with using my creditcard online, and I also do not trust Paypal after reading a lot of bad stories about it. I have only used my creditcard once to buy a book at Amazon.com. But IMO the whole creditcard system is stupid anyway (online and offline).

I think the future is a new service introduced by a couple of Dutch banks, it´s called iDeal and basically it will redirect you to your online bank when purchasing stuff with "Two-Factor Authentication" protection I feel a lot more secure with such a system. :)

http://www.ideal-betalen.nl/

[mercurie]

Different Credit Card companies have various awards programs. All kinds of award programs. Find one that suits you and use that card...

Oh, by the way don't forget to pay the balance off in full at the end of each month if at all possible...:thumb:

Consult your financial advisor for details ;D

Also don't forget there are specific laws protecting the consumer with credit cards... Paypal....I don't know....:-\ :-\

[sweater]

Maybe, more safer is just use the International/Local Bank Draft Check and sent it thru mail...;D ;) or maybe using money transfer like Western Union Money Transfer... as long as you trust the website and you know that they really exist and do honest business I think it's safe. 8) :D

Are the CallingID anti-phishing effective for this? ??? Just askin...::)

[Carver]

Snail mail, there are so many ifs. I live in the US I just spent one and a half months waiting for a mailing label so I can return a speaker system that was repaired badly. Now the Mailing label got lost three times and was supposed to take 8 to 10 days, it is only coming from 900 miles away. It would have got here by plane.

[manOFpeace]

I voted "Other" because I use Visa/Debit Card which I beleive has a slight difference. :)

Why? Because it is all ISP will except.

[TheQuest]

Hi, manOFpeace

-{ Quote: "I voted "Other" because I use Visa/Debit Card which I beleive has a slight difference. :) " }-
The difference is I am afraid rather more then slight, there is no protection of your Debit purchase[s], i.e. your money.

Take Care,
TheQuest 8)

[Carver]

-{ Quote: "Hi, manOFpeace


there is no protection of your Debit purchase[s], i.e. your money.

Take Care,
TheQuest 8)" }-

There is on mine, it's printed in the info paket they send once a year, the reason for me to get a credit card is to build a credit history. I only use the credit card for big purchases and the internet.

[HJam72]

I run a DSL live CD, go straight to the site I'm going to buy from, use my credit card to make the purchase, and shut the PC down.

[wilbertnl]

-{ Quote: "My bank has a VISA card that can only be used on the net." }-
Today I got word that my credit card information was compromised by hacking the financial database of one of the resellers I make payments to.
No financial harm was done in my case. The credit card company called me, checked my balance and latest transactions and closed the account.
I will receive a new credit card with different number.

So, that makes me interested in a virtual credit card, like sukarof explains.

[sosaiso]

None?

Credit card when I really have to, ie paying for online study material that is required for classes, but otherwise I'm really too paranoid/unknowledgable/fraud phearing to send credit card information via Internet.

[sukarof]

-{ Quote: "Today I got word that my credit card information was compromised by hacking the financial database of one of the resellers I make payments to.
No financial harm was done in my case. The credit card company called me, checked my balance and latest transactions and closed the account.
I will receive a new credit card with different number.

So, that makes me interested in a virtual credit card, like sukarof explains." }-

Of course your bank has to offer such solution. If your bank is interrested in protecting their customers they ought to offer it imo. I am no big fan of banks otherwise but for once my bank made a wise decision to offer it without any additional cost. Here in sweden people has been reluctant to use their VISAs on the net, so they (the Bank) more or less had to do something to better security and raise peoples trust in them :) Not all the banks here offer it yet btw (dont know if they will do it in the future )

[Bob D]

Credit Card
I know a lot of people that are anxious about using plastic online, but they'll pull out their credit card for a $4 Latte at Starbucks without blinking.
Think about it for a moment....
When they swipe your card at Sears (or wherever), where do you think that information goes? Over the phone line and through numerous computers.
(Yes, of course, any online purchases should be done prudently, with common sense using reasonable caution.)

[progress]

Bank transfer/bank cheque or internet banking - I don't like credit cards :thumbd:

[TOMxEU]

PayPal - VISA debet card (account) for net payment only. No cash there, I transfer there money a few secs before payment (SMS verified). KeePass 2 to login.

[c2d]

I use my credit card, but just to buy or renew my software licences.
No problems so far.

[Firebytes]

Unfortunately to my knowledge my bank and credit card don't offer the option to have a one time card number assigned to my regular card for online purchases. So I usually just go to the closest bank and buy a Visa gift card for the amount of the purchase I intend to make on the internet. I can then charge the item just as I would with my regular credit card and only the amount on the card is available for the company I am purchasing from to debit. It is basically a one time use credit card that I can shred and toss afterward.

Now I have used my own credit card occasionally when I needed something shipped fast, trusted the company I was buying from, and didn't have time to go to the bank, but I avoid doing so if at all possible.

[sded]

I use my credit card, but prefer PayPal if available. I actually had an Amex card compromised recently, and Amex caught it almost instantly, helped dispute the charges that happened earlier, gave me a new card, transferred legitimate regular charges to the new account. I charged a shipment via Federal Express to my credit card, since they don't take PayPal. Instead of charging for the package, someone at their end charged for a bunch of stuff in the UK before the card could be cancelled. No comment from them, of course, although I notified them of the problem. FedEx actually mailed a reduced bill, since I was never charged, but I haven't paid it yet. :thumbd:

[mata7]

i use pay pal for 5 years never have a single problem, but some times i have to use my master card cause some sites don't accept pay pal