Increased protection offered with credit cards when making online purchases

September 29th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

The UK has become a nation of plastic users, and most of us have used a credit or debit card to make a purchase either online or via the telephone. In fact, the convenience and ease of card payments when it comes to these sorts of transactions has resulted in Brits making all sorts of purchases online of by phone, from flowers and gifts or groceries to clothes, entertainment, tickets, holidays, and more.

Many people use their debit cards to make purchases online whereas many others use their credit cards, as both card types offer the convenience of being able to make purchases remotely. However, according to officials from Trading Standards those that use their credit cards for certain purchases will receive a higher level of protection than those that use their debit cards.

For example, if you use your credit card to make purchases of between £100 and £30,000 you will be protected under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 in the event that the item is not delivered or is damaged. Also if you purchase tickets online and the ticket sales end up being a scam or there is some other problem you will be covered through the protection offered on your credit card.

A recent example of how people can enjoy increased security when making purchases with credit cards was when the low cost airline Zoom went bust, leaving many passengers stranded. Many had already booked tickets with the airline, and officials have said that those booking through credit cards should be covered, whereas only a portion of those that paid by debit card would have the same protection, often at the discretion of their bank.


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