A friend has this idea for safely ordering thru the mail.
She opened up a free account at a different bank than her own. She got a debit card. She figures out how much she'll need for a purchase, puts that much money in that new bank account (always leaves $10.00) and uses THAT account to make purchase. They can not access more than she has in the account -- I believe there is a setting that won't let anyone charge more than what's in the account. That way, if she DOES have a fraud then they don't affect her living expenses.
And it doesn't just happen online. A friend was RVing across country with her DH. She used her CC to pay for parking in St. Lake City ---- within days she got a call from her bank. Seems someone had accessed that account and charged over $5000. in New York City!!! That was the ONLY time she'd used her card in months.... They had to abandon their dream of traveling around the US and had to come home to file fraud charges with the bank and the police department! So, be cautious no matter where you are or how you purchase.
Last edited by amandasgramma; 06-15-2012 at 06:19 AM.