credit card info

[big_block_buick]

hi everyone,i just made my first purchase over the internet and was wondering..my number is now stored on my pc right.just to have the assurance of knowing it's not.can i get rid of it.where to look? user profile in reg.any comments or suggestions..

[shocksyde]

your credit card info shouldnt be stored anywhere on your computer if you simply used it to buy something online. unless you have some crazy virus that allows outside users to access information that you type in (get virus protection and you'll be fine), there's no way anyone could access your info. only thing you would have to worry about is the place where you used your card could give your number out, but i wouldnt worry about that. just try to shop at well known online stores, and check out resellerratings.com .

shock

[Mntsnow]

To be on the safe side when you are done with your online purchase close out that browser window (shut down the application) and then empty your Temp Internet File Folder. Then also never use the "Microsoft Wallet" or the AutoComplete option. If you have you can clear out those buffers by going to Tools. Internet Options, Content and then at the bottom click on the Autocomplete box and from within there you will see the options that you can clear http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[big_block_buick]

oh ok.i just figured that somewhere in the bowels of my registry there would be a trace of it..i'm ok then thanks..

[bhess]

Get a card that you only use for internet shopping. I recommend "clickciti" from citibank. It is for online use only. It doesn't have raised numbers or a magnetic strip. They say that they guarentee against online fraud.

[SDT]

I wouldn't be overly concerned about my credit card number being retained on my pc. It is not a desirable thing but the odds of someone finding and using it are pretty low.

What concerns me more is the security of the systems that I have had transactions with.
A retailers online system is a much more desirable target for unethecial activity due to the odds of finding a large volume of credit card numbers and customer information (names, addresses, passwords, etc). The transaction that you just had was secure, over a https link.... Is the retailers system secure? You can only take the assurances of the retailer and his information is only as good as the skills, knowlege and investment in the IT department or of the consultant or outsourcer.
The instances of large volume retailers systems being hacked and customer information acquired is suprisingly high. Businesses try to downplay this or keep it under wraps, but it happens regularly.

I can't speak about the US laws about credit card usage but I would suspect that they would be similar to the Canadian laws.

If you use your credit card in a store (for instance) the process sets a bit in the outgoing data packet that indicates that a credit card magnetic stripe has been read. The bit is called a "card present" bit. If you dispute the charges from the transaction the credit card company can obtain proof (your signature on the slip) that you were indeed present and approved the charges.

A transaction over the internet does not set the "card present" bit and you can successfully dispute any charges.
In other words you are not leagally responsible for debit incurred using your credit if the card was not present and a signature obtained.
You have a moral responsibility to pay for items or services that you received, however if someone uses your credit card number in an online transaction, you can dispute the charges and you will win.
BTW this has cost online U.S retailers millions as organized crime in Asia was ordering clothing etc and then disputing the charges.
Unfortunately this law does not protect you from someone obtaining your card number and "cloning" your card to use it in "card present" transactions.... but those might be easier to dispute.