Giving out credit card number in email - safe?

[Alvin]

I recently contacted a online store about shipping details for buying a product, and they replied back that they could ship via a cheaper process - all they need is my credit card number through email to take the order down.

Now, this is a large reputable site with many people using it everyday.

But I remember reading somewhere that you should never give your credit card number out in emails. Am I paranoid, or is that right?

[Antiventurecapital]

It is a strange request.

[Steve Pavlina]

Regular email is not secure, so I'm surprised they'd suggest it. You should call them over the phone, send a fax, or use an https form to give them the card info.

A less secure alternative is to send the credit card number in two separate emails, half the digits in one and half in another. But I'd just pick up the phone.

[Dani]

email is notoriously insecure.

I wouldn't risk it just to save a coulple of dollars.

The company might be reputable, but that doesnt mean ALL the staff are.

Use Pay Pal, its muuuuch safer.

[Alvin]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the tips. The company has offered to call, so I'm gonna place my order over the phone.