How do people without credit cards cope in the age of the Internet?
In The Netherlands, hardly anybody has a creditcard. I only got one to pay for this very server. Most webshops simply don't allow you to use creditcards (as nobody owns one...). We've got a system called 'iDeal' (oh the pun...) that allows you to electronically make a transaction. Upon starting one, you receive an SMS text to confirm it, so it's bound to your mobile, meaning only the one knowing the password of the account and having physical access to your mobile, can make a transaction. Pretty secure, compared to those creditcards...
Also, it's rather cheap, as the banks don't have to deal with such incredible amounts of (creditcard) fraud. Further, a random hacked website doesn't mean your bankaccount is out in the open, as you need that mobile to make any transaction.
Ill have to disagree with you a bit on this one. I see more people having a credit card, then people not having one. Most of the people have one between age 30 and 60, since you need to have a permanent job in order to get one.
Also iDeal doesnt only consist out of sms security. This differs for each bank. My bank for example, gives me a special device. I have to insert my card in this device, fill in my pin, and fill in a code (which i get from a website) then i will get a code back, which i will have to insert in the payment website. This is a little bit less secure, but also more convenient then having to need a mobile phone whenever you want to pay. Luckily more and more sites are starting to support this iDeal, even from outside of europe, where we have to pay using money bookers.
And yes, this is cheaper then a CC.
