No more fear about hackers when buying your lottery ticket with a credit card

As more of us click to buy lottery tickets with our cards, you might wonder if this has made it easier for anyone to get their hands on our credit card info.

Surprisingly, even though we're buying more online than ever before, the chances of our credit card details getting stolen haven't increased the way you'd think.

The risk is very low when you shop with a credit card Photo: File

Here's why. While shopping with a card has become super popular, smart companies have been working hard to keep our credit cards safe.

So, even if you hear scary stories about hackers, there's really no need to panic.

Let's break it down into simpler bits to see why we can keep shopping online without losing sleep. Here's why your credit card is safer than you think:

You can relax, your credit card risk is not as high as you think Photo: File

The Big Picture on Hacks

In the last few years, hackers managed to sneak out personal info from 24 million accounts. That’s a worry. But when you think about it, with over 1.4 billion credit card accounts buzzing around in the U.S. alone, those hacked accounts only make up a tiny sliver of the whole pie—about 0.1%.

You're Not on the Hook for Big Losses

Here's some good news: if someone does go on a shopping spree with your credit card, the law's got your back. You'd technically only have to pay up to $50, but most banks are even cooler than that. They'll usually just give you back the whole amount, no questions asked.

Kathryn Jones was traced and given her Lotto Max $50M win through her credit card and CCTV Photo: Supplied

Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards: The Safety Dance

If you've ever worried about someone draining your bank account through your debit card, credit cards offer a nice safety net. Your money stays put even if someone tries to spend up large with your credit card. You'll see the bogus charges on your statement or online way before you have to pay up.

A Quick Call Fixes Everything

Found something fishy on your card? A quick two-minute chat on the phone with your credit card company can make those troubles disappear. They're set up to handle these calls from anywhere in the world, making it super easy to get help.

Keeping an Eye Out

Even with all these protections, it's still a smart move to keep an eye on your credit card statement. Spot something odd? Report it. Regular checks mean you can chill out, knowing you're in control.

Tech to the Rescue

Thanks to some nifty technology, shopping online gets safer all the time. Things like chip cards, secret codes sent to your phone, and one-time use numbers for online buys make it really tough for hackers to grab your details. Plus, paying with your phone using apps like Apple Pay means your actual card number never even gets shared.

The Bottom Line

Buying lottery tickets with a credit card is more popular and safer than ever.

Thanks to a bunch of smart people working behind the scenes, we've got plenty of ways to keep our shopping sprees secure.

So, go ahead, fill up that virtual cart and enjoy the perks of shopping in your pajamas.

With just a little bit of caution and the right know-how, you can shop to your heart's content, worry-free.

States that accept credit cards - or not

Across the US, the way you can buy lottery tickets varies. Right now, 23 states say "yes" to buying lottery tickets with a credit card, offering a modern twist to getting your chance at a jackpot.

Meanwhile, 22 states prefer to keep things more traditional or cautious, not allowing credit cards for these purchases.

This mix shows how different places balance the convenience of technology with concerns about spending and debt.