Research shows that up to half of on- line purchases are abandoned at the last minute. Yet, e-commerce is booming. First of all, the probability of having your credit card number filched while making an on-line purchase is extremely low. But there are risks. And people who indiscriminately supply their e-mail addresses do receive junk mail.
Auction sites can be the most sketchy.
Buyers send checks before they receive the merchandise. It's far from shocking that sometimes their purchase never arrives, and when it does the antique Swiss clock often looks more like a blue light special. Obviously something's working right. Supplying credit card numbers is intrinsically safer than mailing a check. Once a check is cashed it's gone, but credit cards give consumers the power to protest.