Giving your credit card numbers when booking

kohinoor

I asked this in another thread, but as no-one replied, I'm asking this again -
You must have the knowledge and experience of booking hotels with email (and phone).

So what do you with your creditcard details, when they ask them?
You send them via email and nothing bad happens, or what?

But can it be misused without your signature?

Thanks.

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seventies'hippy

I recently had to do this as it was the only way to book a particular hotel I wanted.It wasn't a recognised 'secure'site & I couldn't book direct with the hotel but had to go through an agent.
As this company represents a lot of hotels & is established, reluctantly I did it, figuring that they must have some procedures/safeguards inplace/inhouse,,,,,,,,,
I have though been keeping a close eye on my bankstatement.

*cards can be used without your signature, easily if they know your expiry date etc.
Sometimes you just got to trust people,,,,,,,,,,,

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john.sw

An email is only as private as a postcard!

It is far safer to give your card details over the phone or by fax.

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ruthie808

Hi Kohinoor
I think it is safe enough to book with your credit card over emails and website. Look at the top of the screen when booking through a website if it says https: then this means its a secure site. As for it being misused, like what Seventies Hippy said it is a good idea to keep a close eye on your credit card statements and if you notice any strange charges then ring them and ask to make a fraud report.
Hope that helps
R

shere

As John.SW says email is not secure (unless you use encryption).

Sending your credit card details via email is like getting a town crier to shout them out on the high street.

kohinoor

Yep, that's what I was afraid of.
I think I better call them.

I've always thought that without your signature your creditcard cannot be used without knowing those 4 special numbers in the back side of the card.
...But I guess I was wrong. Thanks for civilizing me!

pezworld

I always use a secure website with the https:// or, if that doesn't exist, fax.

TulsaisntFar

Hello, I booked a few hotels through Nivalink.com. Always sent my credit card/debit card and it went through the next day and they gave me fast responses. I wouldnt be worried if it looks like a commonly known site or big hotel.

crvlvr

it all depends on what kind of recourse you have with your credit card comapany if a fradulent transaction occurs. Your credit card number is not a secret. Every merchant you have ever used it at has it.

Here in the US, we are allowed to dispute a transaction. If a transaction is disputed, we get immediate credit and the credit card company then requests the merchant to provide evidence that he verified the customer's signature during the purchase. Only then are you charged for the transaction. So its pretty safe to use credit cards. Not because the fraud can be prevented, but because when detected, the customer will receive credit quite easily. this protection is offerred because of various govt regulations in the US.

the same (international) banks may have different policies in different coutries. So you should find out, from your credit card company,what rights you have as a consumer.

pezworld

And credit card fraud is sometimes unavoidable. I merely used my credit card the old fashioned way in Belize one trip in November. By January, all sorts of new charges showed up. I guess they thought it would just slip through. This happened to all my other friends on the same trip as well.

kohinoor

And how did you solve the mess?

pezworld

Just studied every line of statement and called the credit card company!

john.sw

Nivalink.com uses www.ccavenue.com to process its online payments.

ccavenue.com is a secure, encrypted site, so you have no worries!

Just don't send your cc information in an email or from a non-secure site. If you do, you're asking for trouble!

kohinoor

Thank you all.

Conclusion I draw from this all, is that it is safe to give your cc-information on a phone to a hotel, which is mentioned in LP and IM.

Yet it's not too late to warn me as well as the others

ben_uk75

hi guys,
just wanted to agree sending credit card details more safer if sending via ccavenue/secure site in india rather than an email. i guess some of the hotel companies are using paypal aswell so thats another safe option.
ben