How Can I Protect Myself from Online Credit /Debit Card Fraud?

1. Be suspicious of the browser window used to enter payment information.

Most if not all legitamite businesses use SSL encryption and have "Lock" symbol either in the browser address or on the bottom of the browser.

A URL for a secure website will begin https:// instead of http://.

2. Be informed: research the companies background history at Resellerratings.com or at Bizrate.com

It is better to find out before hand that a company is bad, then to order and never recieve / or have very late delivery.

3. What about Credit or Debit Cards

Most if not all credit cards offer "Fraud" protection from unauthorized charges in cases of fraud "chargeback" protection.

[ A chargeback is where the card issuer, such as a back, will take the money back from that company in addition to a fee for processing the chargeback.]

4 Protection for Debit (check cards)

It depends on the card issuer.
Some banks such as Citibank »http://www.citibank.com/us/cards/tour/cb/shp_van.htm offer the ability to generate a one-time use number for purchases.

Visa Cards: Debit [Check Cards] & Others
Most banks / credit unions issue these and usually offer some protection.
Visa has a "Zero Liability" policy available here: »http://www.usa.visa.com/personal/security/zero_liability.html

Please inquire with your card issuer for additional information.

It applies to both credit and debit cards.

Other Information:

Most credit / debit card issuers may call you in case of "suspicious" activity such as making several expensive purchases.
Or in the event it was compromised, if the [expensive item here]was to be shipped to a third world country such as Nigeria.