Do websites still have your credit card info even if you delete it from there?

Since their servers are backed up (most probably) there is a chance your CC information could be retained.

Let me suggest that when you are going to buy something online from a company with whom you are not familiar, see if your credit card company will issue a temporary card number to use for just that one transaction. My company does this online, so it is very quick and easy.

They might have it in their back up files. But if you delete it, they should not charge you for anything after whatever purchase you made with them. If they did, I’m sure your credit card company would help you dispute the charge.

If you’re trying to avoid paying for something you’ve changed your mind about though .. they’re not going to allow you to delete your credit card info. until after it was charged for the purchase.

It varies from site to site. You have to read their individual privacy policy and/or Terms of service. It is typical for them to retain this info, however.

This is not different online from brick and mortar retailers who also have your credit card information.

If you gave me your credit card number, and then told me to forget it, would that erase it from my mind? Would it destroy any pieces of papers on which I’d written it down?

Like @gambitking mentioned, it actually varies from merchant to merchant.

Each retailer (online or not) has to follow certain rules as part of their agreement to participate in the credit card networks. For example, here’s a portion of the operating rules that merchants must adhere to for Visa: http://usa.visa.com/download/merchants/interlink-operating-regulations.pdf.

Furthermore, there are standards and compliance conventions, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, that provide exacting rules for merchants and banks to follow.

So, there are sites that do not store your credit card info at all, those that keep it on file for a short time or in a limited capacity, and those that will keep it “forever”... the latter is especially true of online retailers like Amazon who ask you if you want them to remember your billing info.

An example of the “limited capacity” would be physical Target stores. If you purchase something with a credit card at a Target store on Main Street and then go back to return it later, they can process that return with only the receipt… and the money goes back on your card because that store has kept your info. However, the store across town on Maple Drive would need your original credit card in order to refund the money back on it.

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While it’s theoretically possible that a merchant can fraudulently/accidentally charge your card in the future, it’s very unlikely. The penalties for intentionally doing so are severe. Getting accidental charges reversed is usually rather painless.

However, I suggest being very, very strict about not giving out your checking account and bank routing number (a.k.a. automatic withdrawal). Even a single accidental charge there – if it’s large enough – can wreak havoc with your life. In resolving it, the bank would likely refund any overdraft charges, but you’d have to go to everyone that got a bounced check to make it right with them one by one.

@MollyMcGuire I had no idea about the temporary credit card number thing. That’s so awesome to know. Thanks! As @robmandu said, there are hardcore rules about storing credit card info. Many online stores completely avoid it if possible. I believe they are required to split up your cc number into two pieces, storing each half on different servers using different encryption systems.