Online shoppers and gamers can dramatically decrease the risk of losing big sums to fraudsters by switching online payments to a pre-paid card

Leading prepaid supplier EZPay Ltd – supplier of the Escape Prepaid MasterCard (www.escapeprepaid.com) – has produced some handy tips on staying financially secure when using the internet in the wake of the recent security breach of Sony’s PlayStation Network, which has potentially lefts thousands of consumers vulnerable to cyber-crime.

Pre-paid cards such as the Escape Card are the perfect solution to safe web transactions – load them up like you would a pay-as-you-go mobile phone – and spend just like using a traditional debit or credit card. Cards can also be ‘locked’ by sending a simple text message.

The Escape Card guide safe when shopping online

1. Use a pre-paid card

Online video game providers and retailers will accept prepaid cards just like traditional debit and credit cards. The difference is that if they are subject to a hacker attack the criminals can only access the funds available your card, limiting your liability.

2. Use that one card for all online activity

In the event of a data breach you’ll only need to cancel one card, saving you time and heartache. Top up the card before you need to spend and don’t load up too much cash.

3. Have a unique password

Lots of people use the same password for all sorts of online activity. If it is hacked, your data is at risk across multiple sites.

4. Use a secure network

Unprotected wireless connections can potentially be seen by others within your network area. Have a password protected and encrypted network to stop prying eyes.

5. Put up the barriers

Keep your computer up to date with the latest anti-virus and anti-spyware software. There are lots of clever viruses that can steal your data.

Paul Smith, managing director of EZPay Ltd, explained: “We’ve come up with this simple checklist so consumers can transact safely online. Using prepaid cards is a simple solution to losing large sums since you cannot spend beyond the amount loaded, so even if your chosen retailer is compromised only the amount loaded on the card is at risk.”