Safest way to buy from websites online?

silvagti

silvagti

silvagti

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10 Apr 2013
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I frequently check several offer websites (hotukdeals, etc) as I can't resist a bargain. However, I'm often hesitant to pay using my regular debit/credit card I use for other bills/subscriptions in case a retailer is hacked or they charge more than the offer states. Typically I only use these sites the once.

How do you normally pay for items you buy online from smaller retailers/websites you may only use once? What's the safest method ?

It often feels like when you give a retailer your credit/debit card details they're free to charge you what they like and re-bill you as they see fit?
 
tlrBeta said:
Just use your credit card, you can dispute transactions - some you can even do it online.
Click to expand...

Are there any financial services which allow you to create ad-hoc credit cards with a fixed amount on them or visibility and approval of each transaction?

With a regular credit card you have to check your statement and go to the hassle of contacting them to advise of the fraudulent/incorrect transaction. I'd prefer it if there were a way to approve the transaction rather than it be wrong and having to dispute it afterwards?

I feel that I should really have more control over money being charged against or taken from my debit/credit cards than having to check my statement at the end of the month then disputing any dubious transactions.
 
silvagti said:
I frequently check several offer websites (hotukdeals, etc) as I can't resist a bargain. However, I'm often hesitant to pay using my regular debit/credit card I use for other bills/subscriptions in case a retailer is hacked or they charge more than the offer states. Typically I only use these sites the once.

How do you normally pay for items you buy online from smaller retailers/websites you may only use once? What's the safest method ?

It often feels like when you give a retailer your credit/debit card details they're free to charge you what they like and re-bill you as they see fit?
Click to expand...

PayPal if it's accepted
"Pre-paid" debit card for sub-£100. I just move funds from my normal account as needed.
Credit card for over £100.

Basic checks such as checking the website over for obvious signs
 
Resident said:
PayPal if it's accepted
"Pre-paid" debit card for sub-£100. I just move funds from my normal account as needed.
Click to expand...

What service/bank did you use to setup the "pre-paid" debit card as that sounds like the kind of thing I'm after? something I can use to pay for smaller cheaper items as required.
 
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What service/bank did you use to setup the "pre-paid" debit card as that sounds like the kind of thing I'm after? Basically something I can use to pay for smaller cheaper items as required.
 
Code: 
if (value >= £100) {
    myProduct = paymentMethod.creditCard(value);
}
else {
    myProduct = paymentMethod.paypal();
}
myProduct.getDelivered();



EDIT: Fixed a compile error :)
 
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Credit card. If any fraud happens then your bank will be giving you a phone call asap. They tend to be very trigger happy about detecting online fraud.
 
silvagti said:
Are there any financial services which allow you to create ad-hoc credit cards with a fixed amount on them or visibility and approval of each transaction?
Click to expand...

This available at commercial level, not personal. That said, looking above it appears Revolut may do it.

With a regular credit card you have to check your statement and go to the hassle of contacting them to advise of the fraudulent/incorrect transaction. I'd prefer it if there were a way to approve the transaction rather than it be wrong and having to dispute it afterwards?

I feel that I should really have more control over money being charged against or taken from my debit/credit cards than having to check my statement at the end of the month then disputing any dubious transactions.
Click to expand...

As above, you can check your statement online and dispute imnediately if required. In the near future a code will be required, comes into effect early 2019 (made the press recently)

May I ask what has caused your concern? Its still unlikely to happen to most :)
 
Revolut sounds like the kind of thing I'm after so I'll give that a shot.

Maybe I'm just being paranoid but I'm starting to feel like I don't have enough visibility of the companies charging against my accounts. Often I've seen transactions appear and they don't even originate from a company I recognise . Checking the amount I can always find out it's something I've bought online and they're using a different name to process payment. Plus using my card in shops I feel like it's becoming impossible to check the transactions in my account. I've actually started reverting to cash rather than using my card!

I'm just starting to feel like I don't have enough information regarding these transactions to make a quick call on where they're genuine. That's why I'd like to limit the companies that appear on my monthly statement to recurring bills and subscriptions then have another way to segregate the one-off transactions for items I buy. Guess I could do this with separate accounts but I'm just wondering if there are better options that would give me better visibility and the ability to authorize transactions?

Plus I've seen a few bank apps promoting themselves as being better for keeping tracking of transactions so I wondered what others used for tracking/managing their accounts. Generally I feel the information the banks provide regarding transactions on a statement isn't sufficient. I feel it should also include things like location, verification type, shop name, etc. It would be helpful if you had the option to set spending limits for certain companies. Maybe add notes to specific company names so you know what the purchase is for.

Basically I feel the banks and their apps/websites I've tried so far could be doing an awful lot more to help me monitor, track and control my transactions!
 
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silvagti said:
Revolut sounds like the kind of thing I'm after so I'll give that a shot.

Guess I could do this with separate accounts but I'm just wondering if there are better options that would give me better visibility and the ability to authorize transactions?
Click to expand...

Hold off for now is my recommendation, i cant seem to find any other link apart from dailyfail...ignore all the rubbish and key elements are there

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6449405
 
PiKe said:
To the OP.

Are you from the past?
Click to expand...

Yes, how'd you know :D

I suppose I've phrased the question badly. I'm not questioning the security (2FA, online passwords,etc) of online transactions or payments using cards/contactless/etc. I'm just feeling that my banks aren't giving me the visibility I require over my accounts when companies are billing me. Specifically I feel that I'd like more control and visibility when money is being taken from my account by 3rd parties.

Was just looking for suggestions and any tips on what apps/methods/services/etc others use to monitor transactions.
 
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