Is it safe to enter payment card details?

[davenine]

Hello, just found this forum, hope you can help.

I want to buy from http://www.customleavershoodies.co.uk/airedaledodgers

I usually only enter my payment card details if the webpage (or frame within a page) is an https: address.

On this site both the main page and the frame show as unsecured in my browser.  However when I "view source" for the frame I notice it is running a script which comes from a secure page https://www.formstack.com.

Does this mean it is safe to enter my card details?

If so, how could the average internet user ever hope to figure this out?!

Thanks for some help, Dave.

[ImnoGuru]

As a general rule of thumb davenine, entering credit card details on any website can leave you exposed to credit card fraud.
You should email them for an alternative method of payment in my opinion. Check also that they have an actual address and phone number and an alternative communication method.

Just how much do you know about this commercial enterprise?

I suggest that you get a second card with a small limit on it, say $1000, to use for such transactions. That way you are limiting your exposure.

Even you card provider may ignore your tale should a sudden transaction max out your card without you knowing.

It could be up to 55 days before you become aware of such an event, in which case the perpetrator is long gone.

But then again I am paranoid about credit cards on the net. Try paypal or some other method of payment.

[gowthamprabhus]

You can ask for a cash on delivery option or other secured payment like paypal

[soybean]

I usually only enter my payment card details if the webpage (or frame within a page) is an https: address.

You should always stick to that way of identifying websites that are safe for online financial transactions.  Anytime you encounter a website which does not switch from http:to https: when you get to the stage where it asks for credit card info, proceed no further.  In addition to the https: prefix for the web address, your browser should show an icon (usually an image of a lock on locked position) indicating the site is secure.

As a general rule of thumb davenine, entering credit card details on any website can leave you exposed to credit card fraud.
You should email them for an alternative method of payment in my opinion. Check also that they have an actual address and phone number and an alternative communication method.
====
But then again I am paranoid about credit cards on the net. Try paypal or some other method of payment.

Yes, you are paranoid.  I've made scores of online purchases with a credit card.  If you worry about using your card card on amazon.com, newegg.com, target.com, kohls.com, lowes.com, etc. - I could go on and on - then you should probably should not have a credit card since using a credit card on such sites is no riskier than using a credit card in a restaurant or retail store.

[BC_Programmer]

then you should probably should not have a credit card since using a credit card on such sites is no riskier than using a credit card in a restaurant or retail store.

I'd go even further- With an on-line site, many browser features such as the lock icon, https, and other stuff protects you. With a retail location, you merely have to assume that the retail outlet and all the framework between it taking your data and using that data to actually charge you is secure- there is no guarantee. You don't get a "lock icon" basically- you have no idea if it's actually secure or if anybody can stick a flash drive in the office PC and steal all the credit card numbers and other information they want.

[Geek-9pm]

I just recently had a credit card fraud issue. Thee is no indication the vendor was at fault. It is taking  me a period of time to get this fixed. It there is farad, part of the burden falls non you even if you have taken every precaution.

No, I am not really paranoid about credit cards. I have used credit cards for years here and inn other places. Only recently have I had problems. Apparently credit card  fraud is a big criminal activity. Limiting your loss is a good idea. But why let a criminal have even $38 of your money.

Some merchants will accept a money order for an item. That can delay deliver for several days. And there still is the risk the money order could get lost or stolen.
Here are typical promises made by big companies in the USA

American Express
    If you have an American Express card you are already covered by their consumer protection plan at no extra cost to you. Their Identity Theft Assistance program gives you access to operators around the clock who can take action at once. Unlike other cards where you may be responsible for the first $50 of fraud, American Express has you covered.
Equifax
    Along with Trans Union and Experian, Equifax is one of the three credit reporting bureaus that monitor your credit. When you enroll in their ID Patrol plan, Equifax will keep tabs on all three of your credit reports and provide alerts to you in the event key changes are made to your credit. You also gain access to credit repair specialists and have a $1 million theft insurance policy to back you up.
Visa
    Similar to American Express, Visa offers a consumer protection plan to cardholders in their network for no extra charge. Cardholders have all of their expenses covered by Visa and have access to a panel of trained volunteers who can help you in the event of identity theft.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/list_5983143_credit-card-fraud-protection-plans.html#ixzz2bKMhXlpR

As I stated earlier, even if fraud is found, the burden falls on you to do something Never assume the company really wants your best interest. Two days ago i was stone-walled be a very reputable firm, even  after I had reported the fraud weeks earlier. It will take a few more days to find out if they will credit me the loss.
Be careful.

[ImnoGuru]

you should probably should not have a credit card since using a credit card on such sites is no riskier than using a credit card in a restaurant or retail store.

There's nothing wrong with a strong level of paranoia or skepticism for that matter soybean.
I actually have quite a few credit cards, sometimes I think too many... (some are even in my name too Hahahahaha.)

With a retail location, you merely have to assume that the retail outlet and all the framework between it taking your data and using that data to actually charge you is secure- there is no guarantee. You don't get a "lock icon" basically- you have no idea if it's actually secure or if anybody can stick a flash drive in the office PC and steal all the credit card numbers and other information they want.

There have also been recent cases where business owners have been hacked in such a way and held to ransom by the hacker to release their computers and information back to them. Russian hackers hold medical centre to ransom

Apparently credit card fraud is a big criminal activity. Limiting your loss is a good idea. But why let a criminal have even $38 of your money.

or pay $50 excess for a lesser transaction. (Depending on your provider.)

I think I'll keep my suspicions at a high level when using credit anytime.

[BC_Programmer]

There's nothing wrong with a strong level of paranoia or skepticism for that matter soybean.

paranoia is by definition irrational. The problem in this case is that- as you've shown- it's easy to cite some specific counter-case where somebody having been paranoid would have helped them or prevented something. Eg. if the owners of the business you mention were paranoid. But I've always thought of that more like a "stopped clock" argument- which is to say, it stems from this logic.

A. Bad thing can happen. (For example, Credit card fraud)
B. By holding a irrational skepticism, we can prevent that thing from happening to us.
C. Therefore, irrational skepticism is good!

It's a logical fallacy- I believe it's called "affirming the consequent". You could make a equally rational argument to carry a non-red parachute everywhere you go because there is a possibility that you might need to help a bull escape from a fire in a third story apartment. (this why it cannot be red). Of course the first actually has some reasonable syllogism but it's still highly unlikely; beyond basic awareness any further skepticism will typically result in simply making things harder on yourself.

[Geek-9pm]

BC is right. Being paranoid should not be considered normal. The better term would be cautious or even skeptical.
One needs to be careful, cautious or skeptical with credit card plans. If you plan to travel, even inside your own country, you need either a credit card or travelers checks in addition to cash. Things happen.

As for buying online, here in our house we do it very often.  About three times we had to take action because of some kind of fraud with credit cards. I don't know of anything I could have don differently.

There is a new movie out called "Identity Theft" and has been in theaters.
This is trailer from You Tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO12W35DpsQ
Very funny.