10 Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping In March 2024 – Forbes Advisor – Technologist

First and foremost, your credit cards will offer you rewards when you’re shopping that you simply can’t find anywhere else. From miles to cash back, trip credits to rewards points, credit cards pack the best rewards that beat debit cards hands down.

If you’ve ever been a victim of your card number being stolen then you know what a pain it can be to get new cards issued and submit claims to the banks. When shopping online you’re able to, in many circumstances, generate virtual card numbers, meaning that you don’t have to give your actual card number and expiration date out when shopping.

Credit cards also offer more protection if fraud does occur. With a debit card, the money is coming directly out of your checking account, meaning you could go days or weeks without it. If you’re using a credit card, however, you won’t be liable for the disputed amount until the case is resolved.

How To Use a Credit Card for Shopping

Using a credit card for shopping works just like using a credit card for any other type of purchase you make. Ideally, you’ll use a card that earns rewards on your purchases and also comes with purchase protection and/or extended warranty coverage.

How To Use a Credit Card for Online Shopping

When shopping online, using a credit card instead of a debit card can be a smart idea. That’s because credit cards typically come with better fraud protections and other safeguards to protect you from swindlers. When you see a charge you don’t recognize on your credit card statement, you can dispute the charges. Although you can generally do the same with a debit card, that money will remain gone from your linked bank account until the issue is resolved and found in your favor.

How To Stay Safe When Shopping Online

Ideally, any online shopping you do will be limited to sites you know and trust. Entering your credit card information to an unknown online store to make a purchase may add unnecessary risks to your account security. But even the biggest retailers have had security breaches and you may want to consider identity theft protection for your credit cards and other sensitive financial information.

Most credit cards will provide some fraud identity coverage where you won’t be liable for charges to your account that you didn’t make. Enrolling in a credit monitoring service and/or purchasing identity theft insurance may help provide greater peace of mind when shopping online.