How to use a credit card to shop online

Credit cards are a convenient, secure and popular payment option when you're shopping online. They are widely accepted and offer security features such as 24/7 fraud monitoring, zero liability for fraudulent transactions and sometimes even offer extra verification for your purchases.

Some credit cards also offer points and other perks when you use them. So if you want to pay by credit card but still have some questions, we've unpacked the key details in this guide.

Steps to pay by credit card online

To get started, you need your credit card (or all of the details on it) and your personal and contact details. If you're new to this process or hardly ever use a card for online purchases, follow these steps to make the checkout process as smooth as possible.

1. Check that the website is secure

   Before you submit your credit card details, make sure you're shopping on a safe website. Two security signs to look for: the website URL should start with the letters "https" and should have an image of a small padlock, usually in the top left-hand corner of the address bar.

2. Select your item/s

   Add items to your virtual basket or cart as you shop. Tip: search online for any discount codes or coupons you could use to save money on your purchases.

3. Go to the checkout

   When you're finished shopping and you're ready to pay, click on the bag or trolley icon (often in the top right-hand corner of the web page).

4. Enter your contact details

   You need to provide your name, address, contact telephone number and email address. You may be asked to create an account with the business as part of this process. Some sites also allow you to make purchases as a guest. Either way, you will need to provide all the details highlighted or marked with an asterisk before you can complete the purchase.

5. Choose your payment method

   You will be asked how you want to pay. As well as credit card and debit card options, you may be able to choose from options such as PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.

6. Provide your credit card details

   Enter the name on the front of the card, the 16-digit card number, the expiry and the CVC or CVV number.

7. Confirm the purchase

   Check the purchase amount again before clicking the "confirm" option – keeping in mind that shipping costs and other fees may have been added. (Note that any potential credit card fees that your credit card provider charges will only be shown on your credit card account.) Remember not to hit the "confirm" button more than once while you're waiting for the payment confirmation page to load, otherwise you may end up getting charged twice.

8. Follow the prompts for any extra security measures

   If your card has Visa Secure, Mastercard SecureCode or American Express SafeKey as a security feature, you may be asked to enter a password, answer a security question or type in a one-time code that would be sent to your mobile phone before the payment can be completed.

9. Keep a copy of the payment confirmation

   Most online stores will email you a tax invoice. You can also download or print the webpage that shows your payment is confirmed, if you prefer. Either way, these details will help you track your order and make sure the correct amount is charged to your card. You'll also need the proof of your purchase to dispute the transaction if you don't get what you paid for.

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Is it safe to pay with a credit card online?

While most online shopping goes off without a hitch, fraud and cybercrime does exist and can impact your credit card account, as well as debit cards and other payment methods. Credit cards offer a mix of features to help keep your account safe, which can include the following options:

• Fraud-monitoring services. A lot of credit card providers use 24-hour fraud-monitoring services to help detect and report suspicious activity. When something unusual is detected, the credit card provider will contact you to check whether you made the transaction. If a transaction can't be verified, your account may be temporarily blocked while your card provider looks into it.
• Added verification steps. American Express SafeKey, Mastercard SecureCode and Visa Secure are services that help protect your card from unauthorised transactions. They do this by adding another verification step to payments when you're shopping online with a partnered business. Usually, this step will be a one-time code sent to your phone, a password or a security question you've set up with your credit card provider.Not all online stores enable this extra verification step, but when it applies, you'll just be asked to enter the verification details before you pay. This helps stop other people from using your card details because they won't be able to pass the verification step.
• Zero liability policies. A zero liability policy is a type of insurance cover that protects you from paying for fraudulent or unauthorised transactions. This means if your credit card is used by a criminal, the fraudulent transaction (or transactions) will be refunded back to your account, usually after an investigation by your credit card provider.
  Zero liability policies are also available on debit cards. But the difference is that if fraud happens on a credit card, it won't affect your bank balance. You also won't have to pay any interest charges associated with fraudulent transactions – if they apply, they'll be refunded along with the original transaction amount once the situation is resolved. If you're the victim of credit card fraud, contact your credit card provider immediately to dispute the transaction.

As well as your credit card's security measures, online payments are processed through secure, encrypted pages that help keep your data safe from cyber criminals. You can also get extra protection by checking your web browser's security settings, downloading antivirus software or using a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

5 tips to help you stay safe when shopping online

Credit cards, websites and devices all offer different levels of protection when you're shopping online. But you can use these tips everywhere to get even more security.

1. Check that the web address starts with HTTPS. This shows the page you're visiting is secured. You should also see a locked padlock. If it's not there, contact the store or read the privacy and security policy to find out what protection is in place.
2. Look for contact details and refund/returns policies. Legitimate business websites include details you can use in case there are any issues. Before you buy anything, check for a street address, phone number and details of how to get a refund or return an item. If you can't find this information, don't make a purchase until you're sure the site is safe.
3. Use a private, secure Internet connection. While lots of places now offer free, public Wi-Fi, it is less secure than a personal, private connection such as the one you would have at home. According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre, some criminals have even set up public Wi-Fi connections as a way to steal peoples' bank or card details, as well as other personal information.
4. Keep track of where you save your card details. Some stores and apps ask if you want to save your credit card details for the next time you shop. Others only work if you save a card (such as Uber Eats or Shopify's Shop Pay). Internet browsers including Google Chrome, Firefox and Safari may also prompt you to save your details. While this can be a convenient option, it also means your card information will be stored by a third-party service and could be compromised if that account is ever hacked. So take note of where you save your card details and check those accounts regularly.
5. Go through your transaction history. This will help you spot suspicious activity. You can check your transactions by logging in to your account or going over your monthly credit card statement. If you use a few different cards, you could also consider getting the Finder app to keep track of all your spending in one place.

What about other ways to pay online?

If you want to pay online without a credit card, below are some of the other payment options you can use:

It's easy and safe to pay with a credit card online – and the right one could help you keep your details safe, earn points per $1 spent or save you money on currency conversion fees. So it's worth comparing a few different ones so you can get a credit card that fits with your goals. If you've got a credit card you're happy with, you can also use this calculator to work out repayments that are affordable and help keep interest costs down.

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Name	Product	Purchase rate	Balance transfer rate	Annual fee	Interest-free period	Amount saved
Bendigo Bank Low Rate Credit Card		0% p.a. for 15 months, reverts to 11.99% p.a.	13.99% p.a.	$45	Up to 55 days on purchases		Get 0% p.a. on purchases for 15 months and a $150 Woolworths Supermarket gift card when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days. Ends 31 Jan 2021.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard		0% p.a. for 12 months, reverts to 19.99% p.a.	0% p.a. for 12 months	$0	Up to 55 days on purchases		Save on new and existing interest charges with 0% p.a. on balance transfers and purchases for 12 months. Ends 31 January 2021.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Citi Clear Card		0.9% p.a. for 15 months, reverts to 14.99% p.a.	0.9% p.a. for 15 months	$99	Up to 55 days on purchases		Save with 0.9% p.a. for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. Plus, complimentary purchase insurance cover.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
St.George Vertigo Platinum		0% p.a. for 15 months, reverts to 12.99% p.a.	6.99% p.a. for 12 months	$49 annual fee for the first year ($99 p.a. thereafter)	Up to 55 days on purchases		Features an introductory 0% p.a. purchase rate, $49 first year annual fee and complimentary travel insurance covers.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Platinum		0% p.a. for 7 months, reverts to 19.74% p.a.	0% p.a. for 22 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee	$0 annual fee for the first year ($99 p.a. thereafter)	Up to 55 days on purchases		Enjoy 0% p.a. on purchases and balance transfers along with a $0 first year annual fee waiver.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
St.George Rainbow Vertigo Platinum		0% p.a. for 15 months, reverts to 12.99% p.a.	6.99% p.a. for 12 months	$49 annual fee for the first year ($99 p.a. thereafter)	Up to 55 days on purchases		All the platinum features of the Vertigo Platinum Visa with a rainbow design in support of the LGBT community.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
St.George Amplify Platinum		0% p.a. for 7 months, reverts to 19.74% p.a.	0% p.a. for 22 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee	$0 annual fee for the first year ($99 p.a. thereafter)	Up to 55 days on purchases		Save with 0% p.a. interest rates on purchases and balance transfers. Plus a $0 first-year annual fee.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Citi Simplicity Card		0% p.a. for 6 months, reverts to 21.49% p.a.	0% p.a. for 6 months	$0	Up to 55 days on purchases		Get 0% p.a. interest for up to 6 months on purchases and balance transfers. Plus, a $0 annual fee for life.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
BankSA Amplify Platinum		0% p.a. for 7 months, reverts to 19.74% p.a.	0% p.a. for 22 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee	$0 annual fee for the first year ($99 p.a. thereafter)	Up to 55 days on purchases		Save with a 0% p.a. for up to 22 months on balance transfers and up to 7 months on purchases. Plus a $0 first-year annual fee.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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