Many consumers are choosing to throw away credit cards to reduce household debt. In place of credit cards, debit cards with credit emblems and checking accounts are commonly used to make Internet purchases. The Internet is laden with risks to personal identity and financial identity. While debit cards are often protected from unauthorized purchases, checking accounts may not have that same coverage. Is it safe to purchase items online or over the phone using a checking account?

Internet Security and Online Purchases

Checking account numbers include routing number and bank account number can be used to make purchases from many major retailers online. These numbers are typed into a form on the checkout page and the checking account is charged for the purchase. Many online shoppers think a website is secure even though security measures are rarely checked.

At the top of the checkout page is a URL. The URL is an Internet address. If a checkout page is secure the URL will start with “https” instead of “http”. The “s” stands for secure. Shoppers should also ensure only secured wireless and Internet connections are used to make online purchases with a checking account. If a wireless network is not secure, anyone can access the information including the checking account number and make a ton of charges before the bank or account holder ever notices.

Phones, Checking Accounts and Protecting Personal Information

How secure is the phone connection in the average home? With a baby monitor or emergency scanner, people within a short distance of a home can listen to phone calls even though it is illegal to do so. If ordering products over the phone, giving out a checking account or debt card number is taking a huge risk. If someone is listening to the call, the checking account number, address, phone number and other important personal information can be written down and used to make purchases.

Identity theft is a huge problem for consumers. With a little reserve, an identity thief can use personal information for small purchases over many years without the checking account holder ever noticing the charges. Some thieves have even waited until an account holder has passed and assumed the identity of that person just because security measures were not taken to protect personal information.