Pre-paid cards

[LordGrover]

In view of yet more online security fears, for example: click, I'm tempted to consider getting a prepaid card for online purchases.
I currently use a separate credit card for amazon, ebay, itunes, etc but I'm beginning to think the best way to restrict liability is to use a prepaid card. Does anyone have much experience of them and any recommendations?
I've had a quick squint at moneysupermarket - any other ideas?
Ta.

[Podie]

Hmm... interesting thought. Be interested to see what the view is on this.

[iphonedyou]

You'll miss out on the protection you get using your credit card though, won't you?

(Obviously, your current fears notwithstanding.)

[nosittap]

If you want protection for purchases then pre paid cards are not the way to go!

Credit cards are, you get all of the protection of the consumer credit act.

I got a pre paid card for some travelling I did last year, didn't want to carry alot of cash or use my debit card so used my prepaid card in a dodgey Ukranian petrol station and when I got back learned they had authorised the transaction 7 times, leaving me over £300 short!

Called and complained, got nothing but 'nothing we can do sir'. Wrote and complained and requested refund as 7 transactions of identical ammounts within 1 minute should have been seen as suspicious activity, but no, got some apology letter.

Approached the financial ombudsman service, they couldn't help and it fell outside their remit apparently.

If it was on a credit card however, I would have gotten the money back fairly easily. CCA give alot of protection to the comsumer.

Chalked it up to experience and had to take it. Any significant purchase goes on the credit card now and I pay it in full at the end of the month.

Credit cards have more protection than your bank debit card.

[e8_pack]

I took my card abroad last year and racked up a hefty amount of charges when taking cash out and normal card purchases, it's commission and exchange rate you lose on each transaction, even if the commision doesnt apply the exchange rate isn't great.

Now i use the travel cards by escape, I dont get hammered on the exchange rate as the money is converted once when it goes on, i got a euro and a dollar card. Never had a problem with either.

You can top them up direct from your bank account with no charges and there are no hidden fees, very easy to use. I've saved a fair chunk using them.

[bigandclever]

There are some pre-paid cards that voluntarily provide protection - you're looking for Section 75 protection. But, funnily enough, they charge a comparative fortune for it.