What You Shouldn't Worry About A ridiculous amount of press coverage of online shopping to date has zeroed in on the dangers of sending your credit card number over the Internet. What those reports generally fail to mention, however, is that there is no credit-card crime wave online. Some would say that it's far riskier to give it to a waiter at a restaurant who takes it away. Or, for that matter, to place a catalogue order with a cordless phone. If there is any online credit card theft going on, it's close to zero.
People are safer dealing with well-known and trusted merchants.
When to Worry Because the Web makes it so easy for anybody to set up shop, new merchants are arriving all the time. And just like in the real world, not all of them will be honest dealers. Know who you're dealing with. And offers that look too good to be true almost always are. If you do think you have been ripped off, you first must notify your credit card company in writing within 60 days and specify the amount and date of the transaction.