Preventing credit card fraud on the Internet

These tips -- provided by the Internet Fraud Complaint Center, a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center -- are intended to help prevent credit card fraud over the Internet.

• Don't give out your credit card number(s) online unless the site is a secure and reputable site. Sometimes a tiny icon of a padlock appears to symbolize a higher level of security to transmit data. This icon is not a guarantee of a secure site but might provide you some assurance.
• Don't trust a site simply because it claims to be secure.
• Before using the site, check out the security/encryption software it uses.
• Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.
• Do your homework on the person or company to ensure it is legitimate.
• Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box.  Also try to obtain a phone number; call the seller to see if the number is correct and working. 
• Send the company an e-mail to see if it has an active e-mail address.  Be wary of sellers who use free e-mail services where a credit card wasn't required to open the account.
• Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type of information.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller's area.
• Check out other Web sites regarding this person/company.
• Don't judge a person/company by the Web site.
• Be cautious when responding to special offers, especially through unsolicited e-mail.
• Be cautious when dealing with people/companies from outside your own country. 
• The safest way to purchase items via the Internet is by credit card because you can often dispute the charges if something is wrong. 
• Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card numbers. 
• You also should keep a list of all your credit cards and account information along with the card issuer's information. If anything looks suspicious or you lose your credit card(s), you should contact the card issuer immediately.