Electronic banking advices

[minthaka]

I need some advices from more experienced users:
1. I would like to open an American Express Blue card in order to buy things online, like from e-bay etc. Is it safe?
2. How is a process of internet trading made? Do I have to fill some form, and give my personal access data via internet, or I'll get some account number and do the payment through my bank only?
3. How could I protect myself from thefts?
4. What are the typical mistakes I could do?
I need any advices. I have no experiences, so every advice is welcomed. Thanks!

[bigtomrodney]

Well my opinion is as follows - and while I do come from a financial background this is my personal recommendation and not professional.
1.I would like to open an American Express Blue card in order to buy things online, like from e-bay etc. Is it safe?Generally you would use an intermediary like PayPal who belong to eBay I believe. They pass on payment like a clearing warehouse so that the seller doesn't see your details. Also personally I wouldn't touch American Express. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in far more places around the world and online.
2. How is a process of internet trading made? Do I have to fill some form, and give my personal access data via internet, or I'll get some account number and do the payment through my bank only?
Yes sometimes though try to stick to the likes of PayPal as I mentioned. Only give your details to shops you trust i.e. big name online shops or those recommended by people you know. It only takes one mistake!
3. How could I protect myself from thefts?
Give out as little information as possible, only buy from trusted sources, only input personal details on secure sites (https)
4. What are the typical mistakes I could do?
Being too free with information. Also never give out the numbers on the back of your card to anyone in conversation. Never give out your details to someone that emails or calls you - you should only give out details in transactions you have initiated. As I said stick to secure pages on trusted sites. Just to repeat your best bet if using eBay is to use PayPal so that no one can see you bank details.

Always err on the side of caution, you can happily spend and be safe on the internet all day and your first few purchases should give you a feel for how they work. You fill out your details online and should only need to give your order, your billing address, delivery address and from your card the Number, expiry , name and the CVV. The CVV especially should only be given out during a secure session in your browser and never over the phone.

Also ensure that the email address you use to set up your accounts online is one with a strong password and that no one else has access to.

[elija]

An addendum to 3 - seeing https in the url is NOT enough to
enure that the site is secure.

Make sure the browser is showing the padlock or the coloured
address bar too. If the browser complains about the certificate
of an e-commerce site. Stop and think if you are going to trust
them with your details.

Also

Never go to a "shop" or "bank" online by clicking on a link in an
email. It may be a phishing attack. Some of them are so good now
that they have become hard to spot.

[cousinlucky]

My advice is to diversify. In todays banking world most checking accounts are free so you can have as many as you want.

I have a seperate checking account at one bank for Paypal.
I have another account at another bank for my ISP.
I have another account at another bank for my parked domain names.
I have a savings account at another bank.
I have a checking account at another bank for utilites and my monthly rent.
I have a separate debit card in my wallet for food and such.

And I have a separate debit card for on-line purchases. ( I only put money in this one when I know just what I am going to spend it for ).

I do the above because I have women friends working at New York Banks who have horror stories to tell that you would not believe.

It is much better to be overly safe than regretfully sorry!!

Please protect yourself!!

[minthaka]

My advice is to diversify. In todays banking world most checking accounts are free so you can have as many as you want.

I have a seperate checking account at one bank for Paypal.
I have another account at another bank for my ISP.
I have another account at another bank for my parked domain names.
I have a savings account at another bank.
I have a checking account at another bank for utilites and my monthly rent.
I have a separate debit card in my wallet for food and such.

And I have a separate debit card for on-line purchases. ( I only put money in this one when I know just what I am going to spend it for ).

I do the above because I have women friends working at New York Banks who have horror stories to tell that you would not believe.

It is much better to be overly safe than regretfully sorry!!

Please protect yourself!!

Yes, I thought about a banking card without serious amount of money in it. I would only put money in it a day before I buy something.
I thank for the advices!