Android Market and credit card scams?

MzTinaFL · 03-10-2012, 09:23 PM

I've just had one of my credit cards stolen online. Looking back the only new vendor I've utilized is Android Market. I believe I read that someone else had a similar thing happen. So I'm just curious...has anyone else experienced credit card theft shortly after adding their card to Android Market?

I love my new toy but I don't know if I dare risk another credit card with Android Market....anyone have a suggestion for an alternate method of payment.

Thanks,

Tina

JoHunt · 03-11-2012, 01:51 AM

When I'm unsure of a vendor, I use Entropay, which is a virtual credit card you can obtain online (https://www.entropay.com/). You fund it using your regular credit card and there is a fee of 5% when you load the card. No charge is incurred when you use the card.

Entropay is extremely reliable and is certified by the FSA in the UK.

ilovejedd · 03-11-2012, 03:28 AM

Given Android Market just uses Google Checkout (or whatever they're calling it nowadays) and Google's on the hook for any security breaches, I doubt Android Market was the cause for your credit card getting stolen. I'd be more concerned about restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores, etc.

That said, I have a Discover Card and discover allows me to create virtual credit card numbers tied to my actual card for use with online purchases. If the virtual card number gets stolen, I can just disable it. Alternately, you could get prepaid Visa/MC/Amex debit cards from brick and mortar stores. There's usually an activation fee and a small surcharge every time you reload, though. I think some might also have monthly fees. Really too bad Google doesn't allow gift cards. That would be my preferred method of payment.

tubemonkey · 03-11-2012, 02:04 PM

My preferred method of payment with Google and Apple is free. I don't have any cards tied to either account and only download the free stuff.

WT Sharpe · 03-11-2012, 10:15 PM

They're a pain in the butt to use each and every time you make a purchase, but you could check to see if your credit card company offers "virtual" one-time-use credit card numbers. Many credit card companies offer two varieties, one that you download to your PC or Mac, or one that you can launch online by visiting your financial institution's site and clicking "Generate a Virtual Number" or something equivalent. Virtual account numbers are a little extra work, but they're a lot of extra safe.

MzTinaFL · 03-16-2012, 10:06 PM

Everyone thank you for your comments. WT Sharpe I have actually done this with a VISA card before when purchasing from an unknown source. It works pretty well, but you are right it would be a pain in the butt to do for my android. I guess I'm either going to risk it or just not both and use free content only.

EowynCarter · 03-18-2012, 02:23 PM

Checkout means the the person you buy an app from don't see your credit car info, only google have them.
So the only way your credit card info would be stolen there is if the server from google got compromised.

03-10-2012, 09:23 PM	#1
MzTinaFL Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2006 Device: Palm TX	Android Market and credit card scams? I've just had one of my credit cards stolen online. Looking back the only new vendor I've utilized is Android Market. I believe I read that someone else had a similar thing happen. So I'm just curious...has anyone else experienced credit card theft shortly after adding their card to Android Market? I love my new toy but I don't know if I dare risk another credit card with Android Market....anyone have a suggestion for an alternate method of payment. Thanks, Tina

03-11-2012, 01:51 AM	#2
JoHunt I am what I am Posts: 6,625 Karma: 62235665 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: iPad3, Voyage	When I'm unsure of a vendor, I use Entropay, which is a virtual credit card you can obtain online (https://www.entropay.com/). You fund it using your regular credit card and there is a fee of 5% when you load the card. No charge is incurred when you use the card. Entropay is extremely reliable and is certified by the FSA in the UK. Last edited by JoHunt; 03-11-2012 at 01:57 AM.

03-11-2012, 03:28 AM	#3
ilovejedd hopeless n00b Posts: 5,110 Karma: 19597086 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: in the middle of nowhere Device: PW4, PW3, Libra H2O, iPad 10.5, iPad 11, iPad 12.9	Given Android Market just uses Google Checkout (or whatever they're calling it nowadays) and Google's on the hook for any security breaches, I doubt Android Market was the cause for your credit card getting stolen. I'd be more concerned about restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores, etc. That said, I have a Discover Card and discover allows me to create virtual credit card numbers tied to my actual card for use with online purchases. If the virtual card number gets stolen, I can just disable it. Alternately, you could get prepaid Visa/MC/Amex debit cards from brick and mortar stores. There's usually an activation fee and a small surcharge every time you reload, though. I think some might also have monthly fees. Really too bad Google doesn't allow gift cards. That would be my preferred method of payment. Last edited by ilovejedd; 03-11-2012 at 03:40 AM.

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03-11-2012, 02:04 PM	#4
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,746 Karma: 158575914 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	My preferred method of payment with Google and Apple is free. I don't have any cards tied to either account and only download the free stuff.

03-11-2012, 10:15 PM	#5
WT Sharpe Bah, humbug! Posts: 39,072 Karma: 157049943 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.	They're a pain in the butt to use each and every time you make a purchase, but you could check to see if your credit card company offers "virtual" one-time-use credit card numbers. Many credit card companies offer two varieties, one that you download to your PC or Mac, or one that you can launch online by visiting your financial institution's site and clicking "Generate a Virtual Number" or something equivalent. Virtual account numbers are a little extra work, but they're a lot of extra safe.

03-16-2012, 10:06 PM	#6
MzTinaFL Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2006 Device: Palm TX	Everyone thank you for your comments. WT Sharpe I have actually done this with a VISA card before when purchasing from an unknown source. It works pretty well, but you are right it would be a pain in the butt to do for my android. I guess I'm either going to risk it or just not both and use free content only.

03-18-2012, 02:23 PM	#7
EowynCarter Wizard Posts: 4,337 Karma: 4000000 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Paris Device: Cybooks; Sony PRS-T1	Checkout means the the person you buy an app from don't see your credit car info, only google have them. So the only way your credit card info would be stolen there is if the server from google got compromised.