 |
on this page |
People are often worried about privacy on the internet, as well as the safety of their credit card details when buying any products or services via websites.
|
on this page |
The truth is that there are many shady and crooked people around, but people’s credit cards are more often fraudulently used when giving your credit card details when making a hotel reservation, than when shopping on the internet.
Websites with no contactable information – were the company do not supply contactable phone numbers or physical addresses must be viewed with great skepticism.
Most responsible merchant acquiring companies also insist that their clients (the sellers) are PCI DSS compliant, as protection for buyers.
When viewing web pages these pages are "served" (presented) to you via a "non-secure" server, which is fine when simply browsing around.
The address of a normal website will normally be:
http://www.company.com
The pages where you have the "Add to cart" or the "Go to checkout" will also be normal web pages.
When you however start to buy – and at the point where you need to supply sensitive credit card information – like your credit card number – these pages must be on a “secure” server – and the address would then normally read:
https://www.company.com
Secure servers protect your information by encrypting the information when it is filled in by the client and the transaction is done. Encryption methods vary, but the most used way is to use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and in our case – our SSL secured shopping cart uses a 256 bit encryption.
When you are on a secure website – where you input actual payment information – a lock symbol must also display in the browser.
CVV is an additional anti-fraud security feature to help verify that you are in possession of the credit card when placing an order.
 |
The CVV number for Visa and MasterCard is a three-digit number is printed on the signature panel on the back of the card immediately after the card's account number. |
 |
The CVV number for American Express cards are the four-digit CVV number printed on the front of the card above the card account number. |
Our shopping cart company – Americart - www.cartserver.com also uses various systems to ensure that the shopping cart is protected from hacking and uses up to 256-bit Secure Sockets Layer encryption.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club credit cards – but do NOT accept debit cards of check account cards.
Our South African clients can pay directly by EFT into our ABSA account, which information is found on our "Contact Us" page.
"The truth is that sending a credit card number to an electronic merchant over the internet is probably the safest way to make such a transaction. There is more risk in giving credit card data by phone to a hotel." NEW YORK TIMES (11/13/95)