The internet is being used more and more to buy items and services online. Increased online purchases have resulted in more payments being made online. While credit cards are quite popular for paying for items online, debit cards are also gaining popularity. Debit cards automatically debit your bank account at the point of sale. Usually your debit card is your automated teller machine (ATM) card and frequently requires the use of a personal identification number (PIN).

Besides paying online for items or services, some banks and trust companies allow their customers to pay their monthly bills online such as a phone bill or credit card bill. This is done by permitting you to transfer funds directly from your account to pay for these bills.

In making any online payments, you should be mindful of some of these tips:

• Ensure that your transactions are secure and your personal information is protected. This can be achieved in two respects. When purchasing online, use a secure browser that encrypts or encodes your personal information you send over the Internet. Most browser permit the encryption of information. If your browser does not permit encryption, certain secure browsers can be obtain over the internet.

• If you use online banking services, ensure that your bank's site is secure. Once you link to your bank site and use your passwords, certain secure sites will create a secure line between the bank site and your computer, over which all information exchanged is automatically encrypted. If you are not dealing with secure site, then it is wise not to do banking online. Your sites FAQ's or Privacy Policy should indicate the security measures that it has taken.

• Keep written statements of all your online transactions. These records are necessary in case an error is made.

• Read all your correspondence you might receive either by mail or via your e-mail. Information about your transaction may be sent to you.