With online scams and fraud popping up everywhere these days, security is more important than ever. When you are shopping online, you want to know that your money and bank accounts are safe.
Whether you are a physical or online banker, the most secure payment methods will go a long way in ensuring your transactions are stress-free and that your bank accounts are protected from fraudulent charges.
When it comes to safe banking, several payment methods offer strong security features. Here are some of the most popular and secure options:
Credit and debit cards
These are generally considered one of the fastest and safest ways to pay online. Most cards include encryption and fraud protection features. In the case of unauthorized charges, you may have some liability protection through the card issuer.
In many countries, credit card users are only liable for very limited fraudulent charges. Many credit cards also let you request randomly generated virtual card numbers that provide an extra layer of security when shopping online.
The numbers are specific to the merchant, and a user can lock, unlock or delete them.
Digital wallets/e-wallets
Digital wallets, also known as e-wallets, are the other form of secure payments. Services such as Neteller and PayPal act as an intermediary between your bank account and the merchant.
Most online purchases, including paying for bills, prepaid services, and in-store payments, provide multiple payment methods, always with a digital wallet option, as it offers one of the fastest and safest online payment options. When it comes to online transactions, particularly in the realm of online casinos, Revolut has emerged as a leading digital wallet option, renowned for its efficiency and security. Among the mentioned methods are those embraced by casinos that accept Revolut payment, with additional details available in the payment methods section provided by an established online casino review site, accessible here: https://www.irishluck.ie/payment-methods/revolut. In this example, using a digital wallet like Revolut ensures player safety and quick withdrawals. Online payments can be processed using the digital wallet as the intermediary between the bank and the online casino.
In this way, personal data is kept away from third-party websites. E-wallets store your payment information securely and often use encryption, biometric security, passcodes and tokenization to enhance security.
Contactless payments
This method is often used with payment cards or digital wallets. Contactless payments allow quick and touch-free payments by tapping your card or device on a reader. When it comes to paying online, payment cards are secured using 3D Secure technology.
With 3D Secure, you can verify your authenticity by typing in the password linked to your card or a one-time PIN sent to your phone to prevent fraud.
Similar to digital wallets, contactless payments use tokenization to protect your card information and ensure your data is not part of the transaction.
Chip-enabled credit cards
In the real world, payment cards utilize chip-and-pin to secure transactions when contactless payments are not an option. These cards will usually require you to insert your card into the payment terminal instead of swiping it to make a payment.
Users are also prompted to enter a PIN to verify ownership of the card. Credit cards with a built-in EMV chip can also utilize tokenization to reduce fraud. Chip cards are also much harder to clone than regular magnetic stripe cards.
eChecks
Also known as digital or electronic checks, this form of payment utilizes the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network to conveniently and securely transfer funds. Traditionally, you would be required to write a check and present it to the bank to initiate the transfer of funds.
With an eCheck, you only need to provide your bank account and routing numbers through a secure online portal. Electronic checks are much faster and safer than paper checks as they cannot be stolen or lost.
eChecks are also encrypted when in the ACH network, ensuring their security. They also clear much quicker than physical paper checks.
Bank transfers
Banks continue to modernize and integrate secure technologies into their processes. Bank transfers, especially when conducted using online portals, are a safe method of transferring money. Many banks use encryption and multifactor authentication to protect you.
It is a safe way to transfer large sums of money directly between accounts, with a detailed trail for financial management purposes and the ability to send money internationally.
Banks double-check details to avoid errors, and with due diligence on your end, such as checking portal addresses to avoid spoof pages and avoiding public Wi-Fi, you can effortlessly transfer funds securely.
Mobile payment apps
Reputable mobile payment apps such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay are all safe options. These methods use near-field communication (NFC) technology and tokenization to secure transactions.
The apps do not provide your actual card number. Instead, they issue a unique token to process the payment and reduce the risk of fraud. The interactions are easy, include advanced features like biometrics and take mere seconds to complete.
Things to consider when choosing a payment option
Merchant acceptance
Each merchant accepts different payment methods. You should always do your research beforehand and get to know the payment options that your merchant accepts to avoid frustrations and delays.
Monitoring and reporting
You should know how to report any suspicious or unauthorized activity to the relevant authorities and monitor your bank account regularly.
Use legitimate and secure websites
Ensure you are using legitimate and secure websites when shopping online. With the rise in popularity of e-wallets, cybercriminals have developed spoofing methods that target e-wallet accounts.
They may use phishing emails that seem legitimate to trick you into exposing sensitive information regarding your digital wallet.
Beware scams
To be safe, you need to be vigilant about these types of scams and confirm that emails from e-wallets are genuine before acting on them. It’s also important to avoid disclosing your financial information online.