Online payments

If you are an avid internet user, it is unlikely that you would think twice before making an online payment. Online payments, worldwide, have become an accepted way of doing business and the increase in security measures and robust ecommerce systems have made it a safe option for many people to transact online without going through a tizzy.

However, nothing is 100% safe and most reputed online payment sites will provide a list of Does and Don'ts which should be referred to if you are new to making online payments. One of the most popular online payment systems is Paypal (www.paypal.com) as it lets you pay via credit card to anyone with an email address. You can set up a user account and go through its 'real-world' verification system of credit card pin numbers to get started. Setting up a merchant account is also very simple with Paypal and you can get started in 48 hours.

SafeScrypt is encryption software which makes online payments safer and allows the data to travel on the internet without interception. It is safe to shop on sites which have a SafeScrypt emblem on the site. If you planning to start an online business, offering online payment solutions is a must-have feature for business growth. You can choose from the international favorite, Paypal.com or the following credit card gateways:

www.worldpay.com
www.ccavenue.com
www.authorize.net

All of the above mentioned payment gateways are easy to integrate with and can be done in a DIY fashion or with the help of a web designer. There are many processes which banks have introduced for limiting any kind of loss to customers such as Online Transaction Insurance, Special Internet Cards with certain limits and higher security level and the 3 digit customer verification numbers printed at the back of the card.

However, like we said, online payments is not 100% safe so if you do find occasions of credit card misuse, it is recommended that you alert the card company immediately. If you make online payments frequently, then you can also keep a check on your credit card statement by using online access from the bank or card issuing company.