Is online ordering really safe? What about those stories I've heard where credit card information
was stolen?
Those stories began with a Web site that didn't have adequate
security. Ours does. Yes. In conjunction with Verisign (www.verisign.com),
Halton Region uses encryption to protect information entered -- some
of the most powerful encryption available today.
Basically, encryption encodes your information. To steal your
information from the Internet, someone must first find your
encrypted information packet (which is flying across the Internet at
light speed) - then crack the code. Nobody has ever claimed that
this has been done. Indeed, if it were possible, the most sensitive
information in the world would be available to them - not just your
credit card number.
As an added protection, when you return to our site and use the
same billing method, you will not be asked to provide your credit
card information again. It will already be stored securely on file.
Look at it this way: you probably already transmit your credit
card number electronically every day. When you swipe your credit
card at the local store, your card information is encrypted and
transmitted over a phone network. Using your card on a secure online
Web site is very similar - your information is encrypted and then
transmitted over a high-speed network line.
If you still have concerns about the safe use of your credit card
online, please contact us (if by email, at
).
Will you guarantee that my information is safe?
Absolutely. We're so sure about the security of our site that we
back every purchase with a Security Guarantee. If using your credit
card at halton.ca results in subsequent unauthorized use
of your card, we'll cover your liability up to $100.
Here are the details:
The unauthorized use must have resulted from giving your credit card
information to halton.ca - not from fault of your own. Our
guarantee applies only if your credit card information was given to
us over the halton.ca secure server. If you discover
unauthorized use of your credit card, you must notify halton.ca
of the problem in writing (by email or letter) within 24 hours of
discovery. You must also notify your credit card provider in
accordance with its reporting rules and procedures. We limit our
Security Guarantee to $100 because your credit card provider likely
will either cover the unauthorized charges altogether, or limit your
liability to $50 or less. Your card user agreement will have the
details.
How private is my personal information?
We use any information you provide to us only to serve you better.
We do not trade or sell your personal information to anyone.
