Making payments online has become a common practice for many Americans, whether they’re enjoying an online shopping session or playing their favorite online casino games for real money.
Unfortunately, many people let their guard down when it comes to making secure online payments. With all of the technological advancements that have gained momentum in recent years, financial technology (fintech) included, it’s easier than ever to spend money online. Consumers are spoiled for choice with online payment options, each designed to be more convenient than the next. However, with more payment options come more risks, one of the most prevalent of which is cybercriminals. This is why you need to make sure that you’re not compromising the security of your finances and personal information in favor of a little extra convenience.
Reputable online businesses, including trusted online casinos, will have all of the necessary measures in place to protect your personal and financial information. Still, if you want to make sure you’re making secure payments online, it’s always best to make sure you’re aware of how their payment options work and how to protect yourself when using them.
Wondering how to make safe payments online with minimal worry? Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind the next time you enter your credit card details into a website, whether you’re checking out your cart while online shopping or making a deposit on your favorite online casino website.
Steer Clear of Unfamiliar Websites
It can be tempting to shop or play online casino games at unfamiliar websites when you come across an impressive deal or discount on Google or when scrolling through your social media feed. However, it’s important to remember that if a deal or promotion looks too good to be true, it usually is. While there’s a chance that the offer is legit, there’s also a chance that it could be a scam to get hold of your personal and financial details. As such, it’s always a safer bet to stick to the more well-known websites with proven track records for prioritizing shoppers’ or players’ security.
Know the “Red Flags” To Watch Out For
If you must shop or play on a lesser-known website, you need to know how to stay safe from online casino scams and other dangerous situations that could compromise the security of your personal information. You need to do some investigating into the potential warning signs of a scam and into the business itself before you feel confident enough to proceed.
First and foremost, take a moment to glance at the URL box at the top of your browser. It’s a great sign if there’s a lock symbol indicating that the URL begins with “https” instead of “http.” “Https” signifies that Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure is in place, which helps to ensure secure communication via a computer network by means of encryption.
Next, read through some of the content on the website. Spelling and grammar errors can indicate that something is amiss.
It’s a good idea to look for contact information and to call or email the provider using the details provided. If the phone number isn’t working or the email bounces back, it’s a sure-fire sign that the website — and its attractive offers — is a scam.
Older websites are often more trustworthy, especially when you consider how frequently scam websites suddenly pop up before disappearing again shortly thereafter. Note that many scam websites appear seasonally to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers in search of a bargain over the holidays.
Last but not least, keep a close eye on the specifics when filling in your personal and financial details at check-out. There’s no reason why retail websites would require your social security number or your date of birth — although do remember that it’s quite normal for online casino websites to request this information to verify your age before you’re cleared to play casino table games and online slots.
Never Save Your Credit Card Details
Yes, it can be inconvenient to have to re-enter all your information every time you shop or play online, but if you’re looking for the most secure way to pay online, it’s the best way to go. he minor inconvenience of filling in your details each time you want to pay for something is worth the effort to reduce the chances of your credit card details falling into the wrong hands. Remember — if your details are saved on your computer or smartphone, it’s easy for anyone who gets hold of your device to put these details to use when making a digital purchase.
Familiarize Yourself With Safe Online Payment Methods and Providers
Some digital payment methods are safer than others. According to experts, while none are entirely risk-free, you’re likely to be safest when paying with your debit or credit card, when using funds from your PayPal or Neteller account, or when using a trusted app designed for secure online payment processing, like Shop Pay.
Having said all that, it’s definitely more important to pay attention to who you’re paying as opposed to what you’re using to settle the bill. When shopping or playing via a reputable provider, almost all payment methods are considered safe ways to pay online.
Look Into Apps and Add-Ons
If you’d like to boost your online payment security significantly and maximize your peace of mind in the process, it’s worthwhile to look into the various security-focused apps and add-ons currently available. Some of these apps and add-ons boast exceptional “smart” functionality that you might not know even exists.
Safeguard Your Devices
There’s more that you can do to protect your computer and/or smartphone than downloading an app or add-on. Start by installing a reputable anti-virus and anti-malware software and ensuring that it’s always properly updated (updating your operating system (OS) with relevant security patches is crucial, too).
Ensure that your firewall is on and functioning as it should and, lastly, take the time to clear your browser history and device cache at least once a week (preferably every day) to prevent hackers from accessing confidential information.
Always Delve Deeper Into Your Statements
Unless using them for budgeting purposes, it’s quite common for people to throw their credit card statements in the trash without bothering to read through them or to ignore their emailed statements when they come in.
Unfortunately, this could be a costly mistake. No matter how vigilant you are when it comes to cybersecurity, there’s always a risk that you could fall victim to a scam. As such, it’s recommended to examine your credit card statements closely to potentially spot purchases that you don’t recognize. If you do notice a transaction that you can’t place, you’ll be able to quickly alert your bank to the potentially fraudulent activity and leave it to them to rectify the problem.
How Do Online Casinos Protect Your Personal Information
With the increased focus on cybersecurity that has become necessary in the digital boom, reputable online casinos will always put the security of their players’ data first. A safe online casino will spare no expense in implementing robust security protocols and adopting advanced encryption technology, like TLS or SSL.
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TSL) encryption, are two of the most prevalent and trusted encryption methods adopted by online casinos. This security protocol works by encrypting data as it travels between your device and the casino’s server. So, sensitive information like login credentials and financial data will stay protected from the prying eyes of cybercriminals.
A quick way to verify the security protocols of an online casino is to check its URL. A secure website typically begins with “https” in the address bar. While it might seem like a minor detail, this feature is of paramount importance when it comes to safeguarding your confidential information.
Play the Best Casino Games Safely at Borgata Online
Are you concerned about the potential dangers of online casino payment options? You shouldn’t be.
The Borgata Online casino has gone the extra mile to ensure your safety when playing online poker, online slots, and the many other exciting casino games on an diverse and ever-expanding menu. You’ll be able to choose from various safe online casino payment methods, such as Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, and online banking.
Note that any communication between you and Borgata Online is encrypted to the maximum strength supported by your browser using 128-Bit SSL encryption. Your private information is secured with an SSL Certificate from VeriSign and the 3-D Secure™ protocol.
If you’re interested in exploring what’s on offer and how to play, feel free to register via the convenient mobile portal.