Safest way to Buy on Line

I’ve used PayPal for years.only had one dispute which was settled within a week. I used to buy from private sellers on eBay but it’s now mainly commercial sellers of tat.

Never had a problem. Dont click on links in email, don't buy from sites that you have never heard of, check out online reviews for companies that you don't use on a regular basis. That's about it for me

I ve shopped online as long as I ve had a computer so about 25 years use I use online banking
I use Credit Card for big items. debit or paypal for small ones I ve never had a problem with any of them
I don’t know how I would manage without buying online as our high street is decimated

I use PayPal never had any bother with it or my debit card

Polnan
If your a little nervous of using your card on Amazon: remove your card once you've made your purchase and then reinstate it when you want to order again, it takes seconds.
Amazon are as safe as any other reputable sites but there have been scams.

I use PayPal a lot and also credit card. Don't use your debit card online. There are safeguards in place for credit card transactions but debit cards connect straight to your bank account.

Hi CassieJ. If you use PayPal, not debit card, rarely credit card, where does your PayPal take payment from please? It has to be reimbursed for the transaction.

Anyone?
I’ve been using using PayPal for many years linked to a credit card, on the understanding I also had protection of credit card. Have I had wrong all this time.

Also, don't fall for any email purporting to be from providers unless they address you by name. My son gets spam/scam supposedly from PayPal informing him that his account has been 'limited' for some spurious reason. We laugh at the spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes but they can seem quite plausible to the inexperienced. Never follow links in email messages. Log in separately using your user name and password. It's easy to check the email address these messages are sent from, too. If it looks dodgy, don't risk it.

You register a credit card with paypal.

Paying with PayPal means you don't have to put your credit card details into multiple websites.

Always pay with a credit card online, never a debit card. If things go pear-shaped or a fraudulent employee spends on it, it’s up to the credit card company to get it back and not you. Whereas, if you use a debit card, it’s coming straight from your own bank account. It’s just too risky.

I either use a credit card or pay with PayPal. I recently had a bad experience buying online (unusual I hasten to add, I do quite a bit of online shopping due to living in a rural location). I bought a large rug which was not delivered in the specified time. I tried calling the company and emailing to chase up my order but got no response. I opened a case through PayPal and fortunately, after a short while, my money was refunded to me. I think both PayPal and Credit card methods offer you protection. Hope this helps.

I’ve been laying by credit card online for 4 years ( credit safer than debit) never had s problem . I also gave a Pay Pal account which is linked to same card...on which I make donations to charities!

Agree with most of what's been said re credit and debit cards. Not much experience of Paypal. Credit card is good in that you have some comeback if the goods go missing/ are faulty. Use the well known names,never use links to the websites, look for the padlock, never allow card details to be saved. Take your time at checkout and scrutinize all details carefully before committing..
Not so much a security thing, but check carefully re postage and packing charges. Use google to compare the price of something you want to buy, but be aware that the cheapest option may not be so once P&P is added.
Amazon is also tricky as you may think you have reached the amount that allows free P&P but then discover that not all items are sold directly by Amazon so there is a charge after all. Having said that, I find that Amazon is usually reliable and quite often cheaper. Another tip is to create a wishlist in Amazon and put in it things that you would like but aren't in a hurry for; sometimes you will later get a notification that the price has dropped.
I haven't checked, but if you go onto Martin Lewis's website - moneysavingexpert - there will be advice on there on how to shop online safely. And remember that you have the right to return items that you are not happy with - within a certain time. That's another thing to check; some firms allow you to return items for free, and some expect you to pay for return.
Once you start doing it you won't stop!Good luck!

Amazon have stored by credit card details. How can I remove them?

Not sure if already mentioned but I have an account with 'online bank' and have a mastercard with that. I use it as handy for small items like a coffee as it has the 'chip/pin'. I also use online when possible. It instantly confirms with message to your phone that an amount is taken from it. I only keep a small amount there and top up as needed from main bank. This one is Monzo but Revolut it another one. When travelling it is handy to have spare card and also keep the main one out of use for small purchases.

I’ve used credit cards and Paypal for ever! Can’t remember a time when I didn’t buy online! Must be way more than 20 years.
I have never had a problem with my credit card or a Paypal. Bought literally thousands of items from books to kitchen items to paint, tools, furniture, cameras, binoculars and everything in between. ( have used Quidco too and had many hundreds of pounds back)
Always use reputable sites.
Always look for the secure checkout symbols.
Never save your payment details with the retailer.
If using a company that’s new to you, check out company details and TrustPilot reviews.
Double check your order details and P&P costs before submitting the order.
Check for expected delivery times before ordering.
Check the Returns policy.
Check the confirmation email matches your order. Keep it for future reference.
Be aware that on Amazon and eBay, many sellers try to present themselves as U.K. based but many are not and are often based in the Far East.

Credit Card or PayPal are excellent.

Paypal sorted (3) problems. Refund every time.

I buy a lot of clothes and recently food on line, By off eBay for business / craft items, Again, eBay very good with their resolution centre.

PayPal is excellent. I try to use them for everything on line.

I’ve been shopping online since it began. I usually use PayPal. Probably the most important way to protect yourself is to have proper complex passwords - unique to each online account you have. Use your device to remember the passwords or use a password keeping app. Hackers easily get past simple passwords that contain proper words.

I won't buy on line, although my husband does!
I never used smart, zap shopping before, but I do now. You are the one to pick up the product, pop straight into your bag after zapping, no waiting in queues - just pay by card and done!
If it is an order, presumably someone has to go round and fill a box, pass to someone else to take to a van and then deliver. (More people involved in handling)?

Thank you for all your informative posts it has reassured me enough to give it a go.

Buy on -line as long as there is a picture of a padlock on the website in bottom right hand corner.

Being practically housebound for some time I don’t know how I would manage without on line shopping. Always deal with reputable companies. On one occasion I entered the wrong credit card number. Which I then rectified. Had a phone call from the bank, First Direct, to verify it was me making the payment.

I opened a debit card account particularly/only for purchases under £100. I simply make the purchase and then transfer the amount from my main account to replenish the deduction. That way limits financial damage (which hasn't happened yet - many years). Anything over £100, I use my cc as long as the site has a padlock atop.