PCI DSS Compliance – Security for YOUR Credit Card Data

We sell relatively low cost items (rechargeable batteries, battery chargers, camera batteries etc.) which are not generally considered “desirable” from a fraudsters point of view, so we get very few people trying to use stolen credit card data when making their purchase.

That said it is a very big problem for many other retailers who sell more desirable items, so the Credit Card companies now require ALL internet retailers to be certified as PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) Compliant.

Of course, all our systems are certified as compliant and have been validated independently by SecurityMetrics, so all our customers can be confident their Credit Card data is safe and secure when shopping with us.

It is staggering however, just how many other on-line retailers simply don’ take this seriously and have not taken measures to ensure they comply with the regulations, but more importantly, perhaps don’t realise how vulnerable they are making their customers Credit Card data.

Our reputation relies on us providing not only great service and support, but also on taking the utmost care of our customers’ data, and there is a risk that if we (online retailers) don’t all “do our bit” then we may all get tarred with the “I never buy on line, it’s not safe” brush.

Don’t get me wrong, the vast majority of sites are safe to use, but like all other shopping, I would suggest taking some basic precautions:

1. Only shop at a store that looks legitimate, look for a Phone number, an address, company registration and VAT number. Good online stores will not hide their identity!
2. Always look for the “Golden Padlock” or similar, and the “https” in the address bar when going through the checkout.
3. If shopping at a store you don’t know I would only use them if they use a 3^rd part payment processor like HSBC. This should keep your card data safe, though doesn’t mean it’s a good store!