How do I protect my credit card when shopping online?
Your credit card is one of the safest ways to shop online — but there are steps you can take to protect it further. Only enter your card details on websites with 'https://' and the padlock icon in the address bar. Use Apple Pay where available — it creates a unique transaction code so the store never sees your real card number. Set up email or text alerts on your credit card for every purchase, so you catch any unfamiliar charge immediately. Check your statement at least once a week. If you see a charge you do not recognise — even a small one — call your card company right away. Criminals sometimes make small test charges before a larger theft.
What to do
- Only shop on sites with 'https://' and the padlock icon in the address bar.
- Use Apple Pay when available — it never shares your real card number.
- Enable transaction alerts — contact your credit card company to set these up.
- Check your statement weekly for unfamiliar charges.
- Call your card company immediately if you see any charge you do not recognise.
- Never enter your credit card details on a website reached by clicking a link in an email.
The 3-Second Rule
Set up transaction alerts on your credit card. You will know about any suspicious charge within minutes — before it becomes a larger problem.
Important Warning
Criminals often start with a small test charge of $1–$5 to check if the card works before making larger purchases. Report any unrecognised charge, no matter how small.
Learn More
Go deeper with our full lesson: Module 6: Banking & Transactions.