[citation][nom]hellwig[/nom]Whenever I buy something online, I use the Visa ShopSafe system. Visa lets me create a new credit card number that is attached to my actual credit card. The number can only be used by one vendor, and I can set specific expiration and charge limits for the number. They even have the option to setup recurring payments. I used this option to allow monthly payments of up to $15 to a Sony for Everquest back in the day. That way, if Sony's system ever f-ed up and tried to charge me 100 times, only the first charge would get through. No overdraft fees, no missing money.And in case you are wondering, I got the Visa during college, with a $500 limit, so just about anyone can get one too (you don't need ridiculous credit for this security and peace of mind).Really, I NEVER make a purchase online with my actual credit card number, nor do I use my Debit card which is tied directly to my bank account. The internet is too dangerous to risk losing all my money over something like free shipping.[/citation]
That is very smart. Unless you also happen to be one of those people (almost everyone) who swipes their card for gas, or coffee, or lunch...
The part about you limiting the dollar amount to subscription services makes sense, especially since they seem to be prone to this kind of thing. For most everything else though when you get to the end of the line it is the same payment processors, and those systems in stores don't use dial-up anymore. ATMs and card swipe systems ship with WiFi and Ethernet, the modem is there just in case. These days if you bought it with your card you basically bought it on the Internet, even if you were in person.
...and anyway how hard is it really for some kid at Olive Garden to rub a crayon over receipt paper on your real credit card.