I found a pair of shoes I love for cheap overseas, but am scared of having my savings wiped out through a credit/debt card. exchange.Have to get these shoes to move forward, but don't want to get taken. Is it just a roll of the dice, or are there ways to protect myself?
a prepaid credit card can be used, or asking the credit card company/bank/whatever for chargeback if the product doesn't arrive or proves to be fraudulent.
Pay Pal is another choice. If they accept payment thru them, it is fast and secure. Or you can open one for yourself. Works like a prepaid credit card.
A friend has one and any one can deposit into it, but she only can withdrawal.
Janet
PayPal sucks dot com. PayPal horror stories are all over the place and real scammers will know how to screw you for using it.
At least my bank (Bank of America) offers masked credit card numbers for online purchases - you can request a special access number solely for those purchases that protects your account.
A debit card is the worst thing to use anywhere, at any time - a credit card that has bonus point rewards that you pay off every month so you get bonuses without interest being charged is the best protection. You usually get fraud and warranty protection, too - also theft protection.
I haven't had any problems with PayPay. You can use it to generate a one-time-only credit card # that draws from your PayPal account. It works for one purchase, and that's it.
I am thinking of taking cash withdraws until there is only enough to pay for product & shipping. However my fear is once they have my #, they have my # & I can"t stop them.
That is why you get a prepaid card or Pay Pal. If there isn't any money, or over limit guarantee you are safe.
Or see if they will do money orders or Western Union.
Janet
Is there a rule that says you can't have more than one Bank or credit union account?
Keep one account for your monthly bills and another for online purchase stuff.
That way, if there is a problem, your bills are not affected.
Most retail businesses want your business and most often don't want to mess that up.
Go get your shoes