Shopping Safely Online

• One-time use or temporary numbers. These numbers are offered by some credit card issuers—for example Discover—and some banks. Note that you usually can't use these for making a purchase online that you'll pick up in person because many merchants want to see the card used for the purchase to verify that you are the person who paid for the merchandise.
• Extra passwords. These programs are offered by credit card issuers. Visa's program is Verified by Visa. When you make a purchase at participating online stores you'll be asked to input your password. Note that you can still use your card at stores that don't participate in the program.

• The contact information should include a physical address and phone number. If the only contact information is an email address, this is a large red flag — find another merchant. If there is a phone number but no physical address—a post office box isn't sufficient—call the phone number and see if you can talk to a person. Anyone can set up voice mail or an answering machine.
• Check out the reputation of the seller through the local Better Business Bureau or state Attorney General.
• Find and read the privacy policy. It should tell you what personal information it collects, why it collects it, and how they are going to use it. Can't find the privacy policy or don't like what you read — take your business elsewhere.
• If a site asks for your social security number and date of birth — go elsewhere. No merchant needs to know that information. With these 2 pieces of information someone can apply for credit cards in your name.
• Make sure the address line in your browser shows “https” and that the browser shows a locked padlock or key. This indicates that the information sent between your browser and the website is encrypted.
• Use a firewall and antivirus and antispyware software. Keep them up to date and run scans regularly.