Safest way to Buy on Line

I have a special debit card which I only have $200 on at any time, I use this for online purchases. If I know an item will be more than this I will transfer extra to it. I use this for most purchases

Agree with all above about paypal. In 10 years I have only had one problem with an item not turning up and they refunded me very quickly. I've never had a problem with credit card payments either but always use paypal if it's an option. I would just add, never pay for anything by bank transfer as there's no comeback if things go wrong.

I much prefer Paypal.
I have never had a problem, and have also put in a succeesful claim with them when goods I ordered were not as described.
I don't have a credit card, only a debit, so PayPal is by far the safest and easiest way for me to pay online

I have paid online for years with no issues at all. I use paypal for ebay and shopping if the online shop accepts it. Paypal is great for sending and receiving money from abroad. My son in Canada and myself do this for birthdays, Christmas etc.

If paypal is not available I use my debit card [ I rarely use my credit card ].

Always check, read the small print, for a UK geographical address - just because it is a .co.uk doesn't mean it is in the UK.
Same with an 01 telephone number, doesn't mean it is in the UK. Always look for the padlock, top left on browser before entering any card details. Most companies will take orders over the phone if you are more comfortable doing this.

I have been shopping online for over 20 years . Have used PayPal over those years. I do occasionally have to use my credit card as the payment method but not often.
Had an issued with a purchase that didn't arrive. Bout 1800 USD PayPal reimbursed.
Have very little cash on hand. Cash account is not associated with my PayPal at all

I use Paypal. Whenever I have had a problem, Paypal sorts it out. Some people say don't use ebay, but they have always come up trumps whenever I have had a problem with a seller.

I use PayPal too but it's not so straightforward if you are paying for goods to be sent to an address other than your own. In that case, I use a credit card.

I have used Amazon and Paypal for years, now you have made me nervous... a friend of mine had someone use her paypal, took some time, but eventually paypal refunded her money.

I use Sainsburys for my food online.

Another vote for credit/ debit card, never used PayPal. Ive never had any issues and being buying online for about 5 years.

I buy most things online rather than go to the shopping centre. It is quick & easy.
I use Paypal a lot if the sites I use take it.
The only thing I don't but online is food- I like to choose my own things rather than have someone else choosing it for me. That way I get long sell by dates & the nicest looking fruit 7 veg.

I do what Caro57 does. Don’t save your card details.
I buy a lot online and always have but I tend to use the same sites. I don’t use eBay at all.

Shop online a lot - always use debit / credit card not Paypal. I don’t save my bank details to any site. Always type in the website and do not use links from emails etc.

I use PayPal or GooglePay wherever possible. Your details are transmitted as a different random number every time so your account numbers are never sent. If these are not accepted I always use a credit card not a debit card.

PayPal is much the safest way to purchase online, if the site does not accept PayPal I would only then use a credit card.

I also only use my debit card to draw cash.

Lots of good advice on here.

The only time I had a problem was when I had to phone a firm about a mix up with an order and the person on the other end said she would sort it for me over the phone - I had to cancel an order where I had used a credit card and used another credit card to re-order.
Both were compromised. A reputable firm but one rogue employee had a shopping spree on both my credit cards.
I did get the money back from the credit card companies eventually.

Never give your card number out over the phone.

Good advice there, Marydoll.

I use PayPal on the advice of DS who's an IT whizz. I've never had an issue, even when I made a mistake the money was credited to my account, no problem. I also use a credit card.

I never use my debit card other than occasionally if I need to draw cash, as I feel it's a conduit to my bank account.

I always use my credit card for online purchases. That way there is no access to my bank account. The limit on my credit card is £1000.

Another tip is to check that there is a padlock at the beginning of the URL, the address at the top of the page.
Look for sites with the address: https, which means, it is secure if you are entering sensitive information.

Https is fine if you are just browsing the web.

I use PayPal for convenience and ease-though I once had trouble with it and have heard some horror stories however that was then and I think it has improved and takes its security seriously now.

I have just last week managed an international transaction using a credit card. Because the post has virtually stopped into New Zealand, I found a NZ florist who didn't use paypal but would accept a credit card. and the flowers arrived on the birthday! The birthday card still hasn't got there.

I hope you succeed in biting the bullet and dealing with this.
I have also started online banking which is a godsend as we are shielding and cannot go to a Bank or a shop

Agree with previous posters, PayPal is easy and secure and I have never had a problem in the many years I have been using it. I'd say more secure than a credit card as you don't have to enter card details when you purchase.

I use Paypal as much as possible but some good advice here re other methods.

Paypal is absolutely fine to use for online shopping. You can add your credit card details to paypal so that means you can use them too, but through paypal. If there are any issues, for instance if you don’t receive an order, then they are very good at refunding.

What the others said although I haven’t had any problem with PayPal and find it safer for transactions abroad.