Credit Card scams are quite prevalent. It’s hardly surprising that millions of people fall victim to credit card scams each year, given that there are about 1.5 billion credit cards worldwide.
Some criminals use stolen or misplaced credit cards to commit fraud. Some people commit fraud without ever touching any credit cards. The criminal needs to know the most basic card or account information to access the victim’s money through a card-not-present copy.
How credit card fraud works
Regardless of the firm’s size, credit card theft, and fraud have a wide surface area. Here are a few potential outcomes:
Lost or stolen cards
Credit cards can be stolen from someone’s possession
If the card is lost or stolen, the thief might be unable to use it at a point-of-sale system that needs a PIN. However, the fraudster can use the card details to make purchases online.
Card-not-present fraud
Someone with no credit card cannot carry out this fraud; they will get basic information like the cardholder’s name, the credit card number, and the expiration date. However, they can engage in fraud online, over the phone, or by mail using this information.
Counterfeit, doctored or faked cards.
Credit card numbers can be stolen using skimming devices. These devices read data from the credit card’s magnetic stripe, which the criminal can then encode into phony, altered, or counterfeit cards. It could be challenging to tell an ATM or card reader with a skimmer apart from a genuine one.
Application fraud
Instead of taking current credit card information, a criminal can apply for new credit in another person’s identity. Then, they exploit the victim’s private data, including full name, birthdate, address, and Social Security number. They might even steal supporting materials to back up their claims.
Account takeover
A fraudster can contact the credit card company after obtaining personal information and pose as the account holder by providing details such as past purchases, passwords, and card information.
To have a new card mailed to them, they will inform the system of their address change and report the card as lost or stolen.
Intercept cards in the mail
When a credit card business mails a new or replacement card, a thief might be able to steal it from the account holder’s mailbox or intercept the delivery. Because of this, most card issuers send cards in direct mail and packaging.
How to identify credit card fraud
The best way to defend yourself against Credit card fraud is to take precautions.
Keep your credit card information safe, and only enter it into trusted online merchants. Never divulge them to sources whose credibility you can’t call and confirm. Even if you take all the necessary procedures to avoid falling victim to a scam, you should still be attentive and watch for any strange behavior. Fraud can be identified by:
- Examining in-depth monthly credit card bills to look for any fraudulent transactions
- Review your credit report frequently to look for any unusual activity, such as new credit queries, the creation of new accounts, or the registration of a new address.
- Check your bills and invoices to ensure you are not getting correspondence or collection notifications you are unfamiliar with. Since most collection agencies disclose debts to credit bureaus, you may also use your credit report to see if you are on any of their lists.
- Numerous credit card providers provide extra security through identity theft monitoring services. These services notify you when your credit report changes, your credit account experiences unusual activity, or your stolen information appears online.
How to respond if you’ve fallen victim to credit card fraud
Federal legislation in the United States caps the account holder’s responsibility at 50, no matter how much money criminals have stolen.
Contact the credit card company straight away.
Call as soon as you come to know of any\ unusual activity or discover that your card has been misplaced or stolen. Your credit card issuer will then start an inquiry to confirm the fraudulent activity and cancel any unlawful transactions.
They will terminate compromised cards and you will be given a new card and account number to reestablish safe access to your account and cash.
Update your security details
Any PINs, internet passwords, or security data that you think may have been hacked should be changed.
Get in touch with a credit bureau.
Get in touch with big credit bureaus to put a security alert on your credit report. You will receive a copy of your essay, and other bureaus will be aware of the attention.
Check your bank statement.
Regularly review your monthly statements; if you see any strange transactions, let the bank know.
Conclusion:
Identity theft done through the unlawful use of another person’s credit card information to make purchases or withdraw money from an account is known as credit card scam.