Credit card info: is faxing as safe as https?

[bevo barry]

This thought popped into my head just as I was about to register for a postgraduate educational conference by faxing my registration and credit card information to the sponsor: when one uses a credit card over the Net, supposedly a web site that begins with https is secure, especially if that padlock icon shows up in your browser. But what about faxing stuff? Can that be "hacked" into and credit card or other sensitive information stolen?

 

[NCAAFBALLROX]

Personally, I'd be more worried that someone on the other end gets to photocopying or writing down CC info & then selling the info or going on a meth fueled buying spree.

 

[Bernard]

Why do you care? Any unauthorized charges are the crdit card companiy's reponsibility.

Bernard

 

[NCAAFBALLROX]

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[zzzz]

A fax can be copied and it might end up in the trash. Wouldn't be my first option.

 

[TxArch]

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[_e.]

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[NCAAFBALLROX]

I'm not only amazed, I'm gleefully enthused that there are people who don't trim the trees back off their roof deck even once every 6 months.

It's called "job security".

 

[Bernard]

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[Bernard]

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[Bookman]

He doesn't have to be paranoid. He could be an accountant or an engineer.

 

[riloh05]

ever been worried about handing your credit card to the bus boy when out to eat? he could do a lot of damage writing your cc# down. if you dont worry about that- dont worry about https...

 

[MilkmanDan]

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[Fried JJ Pickles]

Fax data is not encrypted, so if someone taps the line, they can retrieve the data.

Data sent via SSL over HTTPS is encrypted, so if someone taps the line, the data is essentially irrecoverable without the key.

The biggest risk in this transaction isn't whether or not your credit card number will get to its destination uncompromised, but whether or not the information will be handled and stored securely (or properly destroyed) after it reaches its destination.

 

[NCAAFBALLROX]

Dan, as soon as I can get this shoulder healed I'll be scurrying on up your roof.

I sneezed today & it took me about 2 hours to recover...

 

[MilkmanDan]

I'd offer you some Claritin, but I think you're after stronger stuff.