Internet payments: 6 bad habits to give up urgently

1 - Clicking on an e-mail link without checking the sender

It only takes a moment's inattention to disclose your personal data to complete strangers. Have you ever heard of e-mails supposedly sent by Nespresso, Netflix or Amazon?

Here are some examples: mail from: contact@sauvelemonde.com

Dear Sir,

Your email has been selected to receive a Nespresso machine... answer the following questions to receive your gift.

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mail from: contact@zarratoolkit.com

Your AMAZON account has been restricted for security reasons, as we have noticed significant changes in your account activity. Please check your personal information to continue using your account without interruption.

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Check whether the domain hosting the sender's e-mail address is consistent with the company mentioned in the e-mail. If not, do not click and delete the email. These phishing techniques aim to recover your personal data which will be used to impersonate you and/or make purchases using your bank details.

2 - Saving your credit card numbers on your computer

Phishing attempts can also allow malicious people to take control of your computer. If the card numbers are saved in your browser (Chrome, Edge, etc.) then the intruders can use them on the sites of their choice.

3 - Buying on unsecured sites

Again, when your browser warns you that your “connection is not secure”, this means that the information you share with that site (via a contact form for example) can be stolen by malicious people.

4 - Buying from a public Wi-Fi network

Here again, sharing personal data or making a purchase on the network of a library, hotel or café can put your personal data at great risk. These networks are not always well protected and are prone to data leakage.

5 - Buying from marketplaces

They have been flourishing for years but many buyers still have no idea how they work. The major online retailers (such as Amazon, Ebay, Rakuten and Walmart) host products from third-party sellers on a section of their site known as a marketplace. Thinking of buying from an e-commerce giant? Yes, except that, in the event of a problem, the transaction is not the responsibility of the US giant. The only way to put your mind at rest is to check the seller's rating and reviews before making a purchase. Opt for the marketplaces of sites offering free sales support that can help you in case of a problem.

6 - Buying on second-hand sites without a secure payment system

Have you found a coveted item on a second-hand website? A camera, a watch, vintage furniture... Platforms that put you in contact with sellers, such as 2ememain in Belgium or Leboncoin in France, are not responsible if you never receive the item bought. Here again, you deal directly with the seller. To avoid that uneasy feeling that comes from paying an unknown seller in advance, some platforms offer to act as intermediaries. The money is only released when you confirm that you have received the item and that it corresponds to the advertised product.

3D Secure and dual authentication

Since 2021, the European Union has made this security protocol mandatory for all online payments. It is used to verify the identity of the cardholder when making an online purchase. This ‘double authentication’ procedure involves an additional step when the order is validated, which considerably reduces the risk of fraud.

What should you do if you notice fraudulent use of your credit card?

If purchases have been made with your card on the Internet without your consent, your bank will normally refund the full amount debited (depending on the cover provided by your bank contract). Contact your bank as soon as possible to report the fraud.

Faced with the spiralling risks on the Internet, think about protecting your digital life with AXA's E-protection insurance.

This insurance offers plans with various degrees of cover that can compensate you in case of problems, such as fraudulent use of your means of payment or identity theft.

You also benefit from legal assistance to help you resolve your disputes on the Internet.

And because the risks are not only financial, the E-protection insurance also includes an E-reputation cover that allows you to clean up online information that could harm you.

Surf with peace of mind!