Choosing your payment method is the most important decision you make when purchasing online, more important than the price, the terms of sale, or even the apparent trustworthiness of the site. If the seller turns out to be a scam, the payment method will determine whether you get your money back.
Let's start by saying that the safest payment methods for users are systems like PayPal, Stripe, and/or similar. These platforms, at least until now, possess the data of those receiving money and can withdraw and/or freeze payments to a supplier.
Credit Card: Chargeback Protection
In theory, a credit card is the safest method for online purchases. In the event of fraud, the cardholder is entitled to a chargeback: the bank reverses the charge and credits the card.
The procedure is regulated by Legislative Decree 11/2010 (implementation of the PSD2 directive), and Visa and Mastercard have specific protection programs for online purchases. Chargebacks must be requested within 120 days of purchase and require documentation of the transaction and evidence of the service failure.
However, the process isn't always straightforward and simple. In our opinion, however, payments via platforms like PayPal offer greater security.
PayPal: Integrated Buyer Protection
PayPal offers its own buyer protection program that covers both purchases not received and those significantly different from the description. A dispute must be filed within 180 days. The advantage of PayPal is that the seller never sees your card or bank account information: the payment is mediated by the platform, adding a layer of security. The disadvantage is that not all sites accept it.
Disposable virtual cards: maximum security
Many banks and fintechs offer the option to generate disposable virtual cards directly from the app: a card with a unique number, a limit limited to the purchase amount, and a very short expiration date. Even if the card details were intercepted or stolen, they would be unusable for further transactions. This is the ideal solution for purchasing from sites you're not entirely sure about. However, there remains the issue of refunds if the product isn't delivered at all.
Bank transfer: high risk
Advance bank transfers are the preferred method for scammers because, once executed, recovery is very difficult. There is no automatic chargeback mechanism like with cards. The only option is to contact the bank quickly and hope the transfer hasn't yet been credited to the recipient. If the recipient is abroad, the chances of recovery are almost zero. Use bank transfers only with sellers you know and trust.
Top-up on a prepaid card: absolutely avoid it
If a seller asks you to pay with a PostePay top-up or another prepaid card, you're dealing with a scammer. No legitimate e-commerce site uses this payment method. A top-up is an untraceable and irreversible transfer of money. There are no refund procedures, no chargebacks, and no possibility of dispute. It's the equivalent of handing cash to a stranger.
Cryptocurrencies: no protection
Payments in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrencies are irreversible by design. There is no central authority, no bank to complain to, and no chargebacks. If a site only accepts cryptocurrencies as a payment method, or offers you a significant discount for paying in crypto, it's almost certainly a scam aimed at exploiting the irreversibility of blockchain transactions.
The Golden Rule
Before paying, check the site on ShopSicuro. If the light is green, use your credit card or PayPal ( completely secure ) for additional protection. If it's yellow, use a disposable virtual card with a limited amount. If it's red, do not pay under any circumstances.