Is It Safe to Give Credit Card Number Over Phone? (2024)

FAQs

Is It Safe to Give Credit Card Number Over Phone? ›

Only provide your card details if you called them.

Unless you initiated the phone call, never give out your credit card number: This may seem like common sense, but it can happen all too easily and quickly.

For these reasons, it is best to avoid sending credit card information by email. If you must provide your credit card number to someone, you can do so over the phone or in person. This way, your credit card information will be much less likely to fall into the wrong hands.

Using your credit or debit card over the phone may increase your risk of becoming the victim of a scam. If your card details end up in the hands of a scammer, your money can be at risk very quickly. But sometimes using your card over the phone is necessary. Paying via card over the phone can be perfectly legitimate.

Phone Call

Instead of sending your credit card info by email and leaving a paper trail, it's safer to call the recipient. Then, the recipient can enter your credit card info directly into a payment processor without needing to jot it down.

Never show your card details in public. Never provide your CVV number when asked on the phone or when processing a card payment in person. This is a sure sign of impending fraud! CVV numbers are for online purchases only.

Installing malware or spyware on your device

Phishing attacks can also try to get you to download attachments that include malware. This harmful software can steal sensitive data from your devices and share it with hackers. One common type of criminal software — called a keylogger — records everything you type.

Sharing your cardholder name and card number does not pose a security concern, since this information alone cannot be used to carry out card transactions. If you wish to receive money using a card-to-card money transfer service, it is generally safe to share your card number.

Even if someone has your credit card number, if they don't have the corresponding CVV, it's much harder to make unauthorized purchases with it. By asking for the CVV code, the merchant is adding an extra level of security to ensure that the cardmember is the one making the purchase.

Is it safe to use your phone as a credit card? ›

Are mobile wallets secure? Yes, storing a credit card on your phone is secure. In fact, a primary benefit of credit cards is that they are already a more secure payment method than cash or check, and mobile payments take that to the next level — it's one of the most secure ways to pay.

No method of sharing your credit card information is completely safe, in fact, we strongly discourage it. However, we also understand that unique circ*mstances arise, and you may need to quickly improvise in the absence of the ideal.

You may also be asked for your credit card security code when processing a payment over the phone. As with online transactions, it's usually safe to do this — just make sure that no one overhears the details you give out (so avoid public places when doing this).

Only provide your card details if you called them.

Once you're ready to make a purchase, be sure that you call the company directly. Should you receive a call from a company that you're considering doing business with, ask to call them back on at a phone number that you have confirmed is legitimate.

Avoid sharing credit card details over email and text messages, or by giving people written notes. Where possible, use a secure payment details manager like Dropbox Passwords to share your details, as you can keep an eye on who has access and revoke it at any time.

In general, it is safe to give out your credit card number online or by phone. Never give out your card number if: You have any doubts about the security of the transaction. You did not initiate the transaction.

No method of sharing your credit card information is completely safe, in fact, we strongly discourage it. However, we also understand that unique circ*mstances arise, and you may need to quickly improvise in the absence of the ideal.

What card data can I share and when? Sharing your cardholder name and card number does not pose a security concern, since this information alone cannot be used to carry out card transactions. If you wish to receive money using a card-to-card money transfer service, it is generally safe to share your card number.