On the off chance this happens and you are not protected, you could lose a good deal of money. Paying by credit card is typically the safest way to make purchases online. This offers a certain amount of protection, as there is a trail of your purchases.

Sometimes, however, you can't or don't want to use a credit card. Perhaps you have bad credit and can't get a card, or you are worried about hackers and the safety of online shopping. Regardless, there are still ways you can protect your purchases online without having to use a credit card.

The following are some tips for protecting your purchases without using credit:

Pay pal
Paypal is one of the most common forms of accepting and making online payments and is probably the best option to use if you do not want or don't have a credit card to use. Pay pal allows you to make online purchases safely and securely without having to provide a credit card (although you do have the option). You can pay using your debit card, bank account information, or the balance of your paypal account. You don't expose your card or bank information to the seller, making it a very secure form of payment.

Paypal also allows you to insure your purchases in the event that you don't receive your purchases. There is also an anti-fraud team you can access 24/7 if you feel like your purchases were made fraudulently.

Use a friend's credit card
If you don't have credit but you have a friend or relative who is willing to let you use his or her card, consider giving your friend or family member cash for the purchase and then putting it on his or her card and shipping it to you.

Stick with known stores
Another great way to protect your purchase is to stick with known stores who are reputable and have good reviews. Always read buyers' reviews and be cautious if there are any negatives. Make sure there is a customer service line that is easily accessed, and make sure the return policy is clear should you get a purchase that is broken or not what you had hoped for.

Find out the store's policy
Find out if there is any kind of insurance or guarantee against lost or damaged packages. If there is none in place, you may want to shop around for a similar product with a company that is a little more trustworthy or who has a better policy.

Shopping online is more popular than ever. It is convenient and easy to do, and is safer now than ever. However, no form of online purchase is 100% safe, even with a credit card. But there are many options for protecting your purchases without using credit. These include using alternate forms of payment like Pay pal or a friend's card, or just checking to make sure the store you purchase from is reputable.