What are the safest ways to pay for games online?

Online gaming has skyrocketed in popularity, with the industry expected to grow annually by over 6.8% in Australia in the next five years. But with that boom comes growing concern about online security — fair enough, when data breaches and scams are all too common. If you’re looking to keep your finances protected when buying games, you’re definitely not alone.

Whether you’re using a credit card with fraud protection, secure third-party payment platforms or game cards from trusted sites like Recharge, or trying to find more ways to keep yourself safe from scams, there are plenty of safe ways to pay for games online and reduce your risk of being scammed.

Which payment method is best to not get scammed?

When it comes to safe online gaming payments, it’s important to pay using secure methods. This includes credit cards, trusted payment services like PayPal or Apple Pay, and prepaid cards bought through reliable retailers like Recharge. 

These options offer stronger protections, keeping your payment details private and giving you a better chance to recover your money if something goes wrong. Try to avoid using debit cards where possible, and never agree to direct bank transfers with strangers.

Check out all prepaid credit cards at Recharge

Which online payment method is safest?

Looking for the best payment methods for games online? These are some of the safest options:

• Credit cards – these are usually seen as one of the safest payment methods because of the fraud protection they offer. If there’s an unauthorised charge, you can dispute it, and you’re generally not liable. Just don’t save your card details on your gaming accounts — there are solid reasons to avoid linking your credit card directly. 
• Third-party payment platforms – services like PayPal are a good option, as they provide buyer protection and the ability to lodge disputes if needed. Digital wallets like Apple Pay use tokenisation, which hides your card number during transactions — so scammers can’t access your details.
• Prepaid cards – buying prepaid game or credit cards from a trusted site like Recharge means you don’t have to share personal or banking details when you’re making online payments. You can go with a general prepaid credit card like Neosurf, or choose platform-specific options like Spotify, PlayStation, Steam, Xbox and more. Because they’re preloaded, you’re not exposing your bank account.

Is a debit card safe to use online?

No – debit cards aren’t one of the best payment methods for games online. If someone gets hold of your details, the money comes straight out of your account, and it can take ages to get it back — if at all. That could leave you out of pocket in the meantime.

Is it safer to pay online with a debit or credit card?

It’s safer to buy games online using credit cards. Unlike debit cards, they don’t pull funds straight from your account, so your bank balance isn’t immediately affected by fraudulent transactions. Plus, credit cards often come with stronger dispute and chargeback protections.

Is it safer to pay with PayPal or debit card?

PayPal is generally safer than using a debit card. It keeps your banking details hidden from the seller, and if something goes wrong — say, the item never turns up or isn’t as described — PayPal gives you options to dispute the charge and get your money back.

 Which is safer — a bank transfer or a debit card?

If you’re serious about protecting your finances when buying games, it’s best to avoid both bank transfers and debit cards. The law does not currently compel banks to reimburse victims who have fallen victim to bank transfer scams – despite calls by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) to introduce stricter industry codes of practice and require them to provide compensation in certain situations.

Which online payment app is secure?

Most well-known payment apps – like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay — are secure, provided you use them properly.

• PayPal – turn on two-step verification for both your PayPal account and your email. When paying for goods, always use the ‘Goods and Services’ option to get buyer protection. Avoid letting websites store your PayPal login.
• Apple Pay – enable Face ID or Touch ID for added security, and don’t store other sensitive details (like passwords) in the Wallet app. If you lose your device, use ‘Find My iPhone’ to disable Apple Pay remotely.
• Google Pay – only allow access to the apps you really need. Turn on biometric authentication like fingerprint or Face ID. If your device is lost or stolen, use ‘Find My Device’ to lock it quickly.
• Venmo – make sure to set your transactions and your friends list to ‘private’ so others can’t see what you’re doing.

Keen to know whether Google Pay or PayPal is safer? Both are solid choices. PayPal offers better buyer protection for online purchases, while Google Pay is great for in-store contactless payments and has strong security tied to your Google account.

Is PayPal safe to use with strangers?

Yes — just make sure you use the ‘Goods and Services’ payment option. Don’t use ‘Friends and Family’ for people you don’t personally know, as you won’t be covered by PayPal’s buyer protection.

How to make online payments even safer

When you want safe ways to buy game keys online, there are a few extra things you can do to stay safe. According to the Australian Signals Directorate, these tips can make a big difference:

• Look out for fake websites

Check that the website URL starts with ‘https://’ and has a padlock icon in the address bar. That shows the site has a secure, encrypted connection.

• Use strong security measures

Create a different password for each account — and make them strong. A password manager like Bitwarden or LastPass can help you generate and store complex passwords. Turn on two-factor authentication where possible for extra protection.

• Enable transaction notifications

Enable alerts for transactions through your bank or credit card provider, and check your statements regularly for anything suspicious. Report anything that doesn’t look right straight away.

• Use a secure connection

Only make purchases through trusted game payment gateways. Avoid public Wi-Fi when making payments — or use a VPN to secure your connection if you must.

• Stay vigilant 

Always double-check emails and texts claiming to be from businesses. If it looks dodgy, don’t click the link. Only buy through official websites and authorised third-party sellers, and never log into payment accounts on public or shared computers.