How to Shop Safely on the Internet with PayPal

Consider using PayPal. Click here for more information. Note the https: designation. When you use PayPal, you provide your credit card or checking account information only to PayPal. Merchants with which you shop do not get that information. This narrows the window *a lot* for potential abuse of your card or banking information. Read and understand all of the information PayPal provides on their site. In particular, never respond to a "pfish" e-mail asking you to provide information about your PayPal account. When in doubt, log on to the PayPal web page and sign in to your account directly.

Pfish means unscrupulous emails designed to dupe the reader into thinking they should respond. These emails can have genuine looking logos from banks and other financial institutions. Your bank, credit union, PayPal account, or other bona fide financial institutions will never ask you to provide information via email. If you receive an email like this, simply delete it. Log in to your financial institution's web site or call the number provided by them on the back or your card.