When you want to make an online purchase, you must have a method of payment that is accepted by the internet. What first comes to mind? A credit card, right? However, there are other methods of payment that do not include the use of a credit card. Instead of your credit card, you can use debit cards, prepaid cards, gift cards, Amazon Cash, or PayPal. You can also borrow someone’s card or use your checking account to shop on many reliable shopping websites.

·       Online shopping with debit cards

There is a 16-digit number along with an expiration date on your card that you have to input when you want to shop online. You also have to input a security code and billing address. The funds for your purchase will be deducted from the checking account that is linked to the card. To create a checking account linked to the debit card, you should visit your bank.

·       Prepaid Cards

It is very similar in process to debit cards, with the only difference being that you load funds into an account associated with the card, not a checking account. They are a great option if you do not have a checking account or do not want to use a credit card. You can apply for it online or visit a retailer to get it.

However, you must note that your prepaid card should have a major credit card network logo, like Visa, MasterCard, Discover, et cetera. Make sure always to verify that you are on a legitimate website. Hackers can steal your money if they get access to your checking account or the information linked to it.

·       Online shopping with gift cards

You can use a gift card with a major credit card network, like Visa and MasterCard, at any online store that accepts payment from that network. There are also retail-specific cards that you can use but is only for the said retailer’s website. If you need a gift card, you can get them online or from a retailer, the same way you get a prepaid card.

·       Online shopping with PayPal

Your PayPal account can be linked to your checking account such that funds for the purchases you make will be deducted from that checking account. Sometimes, you may have a PayPal balance from sales or other money transfers. Your new purchases will be deducted from that balance first before they will then be deducted from your checking account. There is also the PayPal Cash Card, a debit card that you can use anywhere MasterCard is accepted. So many online retailers accept PayPal as a means of payment, so it is something you might want to consider having.

·       Amazon Cash

With this cash, you can shop on Amazon without a debit or a credit card. What you need to do is to add cash to your Amazon Balance at participating locations. You need to scan your barcode or use your mobile number to identify your account and then add some money to shop.

Sometimes, a few online retailers may allow you to use your checking account and routing information to make purchases. It is an excellent alternative form of payment, and all you have to do is confirm that the retailers allow you to use your checking information. At other times, you may have to borrow a friend’s card for your purchases.

When you do this, remember to put in the correct billing address so that the payment will process correctly. The existence of fraudsters makes it difficult for retailers to allow shipping to a different address. If you indicate the purchase as a gift, then you may bypass this problem. Using UK.collected.reviews, you can identify whether the retailer you want to patronise is reliable or not.