What are the safest ways to pay for games online?

Online gaming has exploded in popularity – in Ireland experts predict the digital technologies will push gaming industry revenue to around €810 million (that’s approximately €200 million growth in two years). But as more people buy games online, concerns around security are growing — and not without reason, with news of data breaches and fraud are cropping up all the more frequently. If you’re keen to protect your money when picking up your next game, you’re definitely not the only one.

Whether it’s using credit cards with fraud protection, secure payment processors or game cards from reputable retailers like Recharge, to making sure you know the latest scam techniques to avoid, there are more ways than ever for gamers to make safe payments online and reduce the chances of being scammed.

Which payment method is best to not get scammed?

The key to safe online gaming payments is using secure methods. To steer clear of fraud, go for a credit card, a trusted payment service (like PayPal or Apple Pay), or a prepaid card from a recognised retailer like Recharge. These options help protect your payment details and offer backup if anything goes pear-shaped.

It’s best to steer away from debit cards, and never send money through direct bank transfers to someone you don’t know.

Have a look at all prepaid cards on Recharge

Which online payment method is safest?

If you’re wondering how to pay for games safely online, here are a few good choices:

• Credit cards – generally seen as a safe bet, mainly because of the solid fraud protection they offer. You can challenge dodgy charges, and you’re rarely held responsible for purchases you didn’t authorise. Just don’t go saving your card details on your gaming accounts — there are good reasons not to.
• Third-party payment platforms – secure services like PayPal are handy because they offer buyer protection and dispute options. Digital wallets like Apple Pay use tokensiation use tokenisation, which masks your card details from prying eyes.
• Prepaid cards – buying these from secure sites like Recharge means you’re not handing over sensitive information every time you buy something. You can pick a prepaid credit card (like Neosurf) for wider use, or choose platform-specific ones – think Netflix, PlayStation, Steam, Xbox, Nintendo and more). They come preloaded, so you’re never risking your bank account or personal details.

Is a debit card safe to use online?

Not really. Debit cards are not the safest option for buying games online. If a scammer gets your details, the money comes straight out of your bank account, and getting it back can be slow going — not ideal if you’re left short in the meantime.

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

It’s definitely safer to buy games online using credit cards. Unlike debit cards, they don’t take funds straight from your bank, which means there’s a layer of protection between you and potential fraudsters. Credit cards also come with strong rights for disputes, letting you challenge any dodgy transactions.

Is it safer to pay with PayPal or debit card?

PayPal usually comes out ahead of debit cards in terms of safety. It keeps your bank details hidden from sellers, adding a bit of extra protection. On top of that, PayPal gives you the ability to open disputes if something goes wrong with your purchase.

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

Protecting your finances when buying games means it’s generally better to avoid both bank transfers and debit cards. That said, there are some protections in place: the Payment Services Directive (PSD) under EU law requires reimbursement for unauthorised debit card transactions. It’s also evolving to include bank transfers in specific cases — provided you can show you weren’t being careless and promptly report it.

Which online payment app is secure?

Most of the well-known payment apps – think PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay – are secure, as long as you use them properly. 

• PayPal – make sure to enable two-step verification for both your PayPal account and your email. Always use the ‘Goods and Services’ option when buying things to activate buyer protection. Avoid letting websites store your PayPal details.
• Apple Pay – use biometric authentication (like Face ID or Touch ID), and don’t save sensitive details like passwords in your Wallet app. If you lose your phone, use ‘Find My iPhone’ to switch off Apple Pay remotely.
• Google Pay – only give necessary apps access, and turn on Face ID, fingerprint, or passcode protection. If your phone goes missing, use ‘Find My Device’ to lock it down straight away.
• Venmo – set all your transactions to ‘private’ — this includes your friends list.

When weighing up your options, users can often question if Google Pay or PayPal is safer. In reality, either is a good shout. PayPal tends to offer broader buyer protection, especially for online purchases, while Google Pay is rock solid when it comes to linked account security and contactless payments.

Is PayPal safe to use with strangers?

It is — but only if you select the ‘Goods and Services’ option. Never use ‘Friends and Family’ for people you do not know, as you’ll lose your buyer protection.

How to make online payments even safer

When searching for safe ways to buy game keys online, there are some extra steps you can take to look after your personal information. The European Union Agency for Cyber Security recommends:

• Look out for fake websites

Always check that the URL starts with ‘https://’ and look for the padlock symbol. This means the site has a secure, encrypted connection.

• Use strong security measures

Create unique, strong passwords for each account. Password managers like LastPass or Bitwarden are handy for generating and saving these securely. Where possible, turn on two-factor authentication, too.

• Enable transaction notifications

Set up alerts for when transactions are made from your account. Keep an eye on your statements and report anything unusual straight away.

• Use a secure connection

Only use trusted online payment gateways. Avoid making purchases on public Wi-Fi — or if you have to, use a VPN to stay protected.

• Stay vigilant 

Look out for phishing attempts. Always double-check sender email addresses and never click links in dodgy-looking emails. Stick to buying from official websites or verified third-party sellers, and avoid logging into your payment accounts on shared or public devices.