What are the safest ways to pay for games online?

Online gaming is becoming more popular than ever, with the industry expected to grow annually by over 4.5% in Canada in the next five years. As more people buy games online, concerns about security are also on the rise — and understandably so. With data breaches and fraud making headlines regularly, it’s no wonder gamers are looking for safer ways to pay.

Whether you’re using a credit card with fraud protection, secure third-party payment services or game cards from trusted sites like Recharge, or ensuring you’re up-to-date on ways to avoid online scams, there are plenty of ways to keep your purchases safe and your financial information secure.

Which payment method is best to not get scammed?

For safe online gaming payments, the key is using secure methods. Credit cards, well-established services like PayPal or Apple Pay, and prepaid cards from reliable retailers like Recharge all offer strong protection. 

These options help keep your payment information private and give you more power to dispute transactions if anything goes wrong. On the other hand, it’s best to avoid using debit cards, and you should never send a bank transfer to someone you do not know personally.

Browse all prepaid credit cards on Recharge

Which online payment method is safest?

When choosing the best payment methods for games online, here are some of the safest options:

• Credit cards – these are widely considered one of the most secure payment methods because of their fraud protection policies. You can usually dispute charges and aren’t held responsible for purchases you didn’t make. Just don’t save your credit card on your gaming account — it’s worth reading up on why that’s not the safest move.
• Third-party payment platforms – trusted platforms like PayPal come with built-in buyer protection and dispute options. Digital wallets like Apple Pay use tokenization to hide your actual card number, so even if your payment is intercepted, your information stays safe.
• Prepaid cards – if you want to keep things simple and secure, buying prepaid cards from reputable websites like Recharge is a great option. You won’t be handing over sensitive data at every checkout. Choose from platform-specific cards like Google Play, PlayStation, Steam, Xbox and Nintendo or go with a  prepaid credit card like Neosurf that can be used more broadly.

Is a debit card safe to use online?

Debit cards are not the best choice for buying games online. If your card details are compromised, the money comes out of your account right away — and getting it back can take time. That delay could leave you short on funds while you wait for your bank to investigate.

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

Between the two, it’s safer to buy games online using credit cards. Because they do not pull money directly from your account, you’re less exposed if something goes wrong. Credit cards also offer better dispute rights, and you’re generally not on the hook for unauthorized purchases

Is it safer to pay with PayPal or debit card?

PayPal is generally safer than using a debit card. It keeps your banking information hidden from the seller, and offers buyer protection if the product you receive is not as described or never shows up.

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

Protecting your finances when buying games means neither a debit card nor a bank transfer is ideal. Both offer limited dispute options: debit card payments can sometimes be reversed if they’re proven to be fraudulent. As for transfers – while Canadian banks are not required to reimburse victims of fraud, they are expected to undertake due diligence to prevent these scams from happening in the first place.

Which online payment app is secure?

Most major payment apps – think PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay – are safe, as long as you use them responsibly.

• PayPal – make sure to turn on two-step verification for both your PayPal account and your email. Use the ‘Goods and Services’ payment option to get buyer protection, and avoid storing your PayPal details on websites.
• Apple Pay – use biometric security features like Face ID or Touch ID. Avoid saving passwords or other sensitive information in the Wallet app. If your phone is lost or stolen, use ‘Find My iPhone’ to disable Apple Pay remotely.
• Google Pay – limit access to only the apps you need. Use fingerprint, passcode, or facial recognition to secure your phone, and if it gets lost, use ‘Find My Device’ to lock it right away.
• Venmo – set your transactions and friends list to ‘private’ so others can’t see your activity.

Wondering whether Google Pay or PayPal is safer? Both are secure options. PayPal offers more robust buyer protection for online shopping, while Google Pay has strong account security and works well for in-store, contactless payments.

Is PayPal safe to use with strangers?

Yes — but only if you select the ‘Goods and Services’ option. Don’t use the ‘Friends and Family’ setting with people you don’t know, as it doesn’t include buyer protection.

How to make online payments even safer

When finding safe ways to buy game keys online, there are a few extra precautions you can take to protect your information. Here are some tips from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security:

• Look out for fake websites

Always check that the website URL starts with ‘https://’ and that there’s a padlock icon. This means the connection is encrypted and more secure.

• Use strong security measures

Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts. Consider using a password manager like Bitwarden or LastPass to generate and store secure passwords. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible, too.

• Enable transaction notifications

Set up notifications through your bank or credit card provider so you’re instantly notified of any new charges. Review your statements regularly and report anything suspicious right away.

• Use a secure connection

Stick to verified online payment gateways, and avoid making purchases over public Wi-Fi. If you must, consider using a VPN to protect your connection.

• Stay vigilant 

Watch out for emails or messages from unknown senders. Don’t click on suspicious links, and make sure you’re only buying from official websites or reputable third-party retailers.