From bills to automatic withdrawals, more people are choosing to pay for utilities and other necessities using online portals. A report by Digital Commerce 360 shows that online sales increased to 19.6% in 2020, as compared to 15.8% in 2019. As this choice becomes increasingly popular, bank account owners should educate themselves on how to best use the online payment option. Here are some of the best tips, whether you want to pay your phone bill online or complete an online shopping order.
Use a secure device
A good rule of thumb is to always use a personal computer or electronic device to complete all online payments. If you use a shared or public computer, there is a chance that your payment information isn’t secure. Even if you click “no” when prompted with the question about whether you would like to save your payment information for future use, it’s best to get into the habit of paying for things on a personal device.
Saving payment information
On that note, online payment users should always be careful when saving their credit card or bank account information. This is sensitive information and should only be given to trusted websites. When it comes to bill pay, most financial institutions have an online payment system. The Federal Savings Bank has safe and secure online bill pay options that will ensure your payments go through on time, every time.
Shopping online has become the norm, especially in the past few years, and many digital retailers have a payment save option. While this can make buying things from your favorite online stores easier, it can also compromise your information’s security. According to a survey by Bankrate, 64% of people still save their debit card information online. By entering your information manually every time you buy something, you know that even if your account gets hacked, your payment information is safe. As a bonus, it can also save you money by making it not as easy to purchase unnecessary items.
Don’t use public wi-fi when making online payments
While most adults know that it’s not always the best idea to save payment information online, not as many people know that using public WiFi while making online purchases can also be dangerous. If you use free public wi-fi, you are not alone — 82% of people are in the same boat as you, according to decisiondata.org.
Sharing an internet connection with the public is not always a good move, especially if you are using it to put sensitive information into a website. This is because digital robbers can access your payment details through the shared WiFi. Not everybody has access to a personal connection, and, if this is the case for you, consider investing in a virtual private network (VPN) service.
To learn more about how The Federal Savings Bank can help you complete safe and secure online payments, visit our website today!
Subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions may apply. Property insurance is required on all loans secured by property.
This information is intended for educational purposes only. Products and interest rates subject to change without notice. Loan products are subject to credit approval and include terms and conditions, fees and other costs. Terms and conditions may apply. Property insurance is required on all loans secured by property. VA loan products are subject to VA eligibility requirements. Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) interest rates and monthly payment are subject to adjustment. Upon submission of a full application, a mortgage banker will review and provide you with the terms, conditions, disclosures, and additional details on the interest rates that apply to you individual situation.