They might check the Net for prices and products. But for actual purchasing, they visit the store or pick up the phone. Credit-card issuers, hoping to calm these fears, are always on the lookout for new technologies that might make you feel safe. The latest is a system for creating disposable credit-card numbers. So there's nothing in the merchant's data bank for hackers to steal.
Shoppers have two financial security concerns today.
First, they worry that their credit-card numbers will be stolen and used. As a practical matter, that's a minor issue. The second and far greater problem is identity theft. If crooks get your name, credit-card number, Social Security number and other identifiers, they can create a virtual you. They will open accounts in your name, charge up a storm and ignore the bills.