Is it safe to use my debit card for autopay/online shopping?

[Adeelnikama]

I have a prepaid AT&T mobile number and want to use it's autopay option. But as I read and heard bad things about using debit card in online shopping, I don't know can I use my debit card or not? (I am an international student in US and my credit card is in the process until next month).

I also like to know can I use my debit card to buy something from Amazon, Walmart, ebay and some other e-commerce site.? Are they safe to enter my debit card number and information?

[wasqat]

Big company web sites should be safe from hacking, but you never know. Getting a refund from Amazon might be tricky, though.

My kids use debit cards all the time for online purchases, but I'd rather use a credit card because the money is still in my control until I actually choose to make the payment. Thus, if there's a problem, I just don't pay that amount until it's resolved.

Bottom line: with a DC, the money is instantly out of your account, and getting it back in can be difficult.