Common Tactics Scammers Use to Steal Credit Card Information

Credit card fraud is on the rise, with scammers developing increasingly sophisticated ways to steal credit card information. The ever-present threat of phishing emails, fake websites, data breaches, and skimming devices means consumers need to be more careful about how and where they share their sensitive credit card information.

In this article, we'll share the most common tactics scammers use to steal credit and debit card information to help you protect your credit card details from falling into into their hands.

Key Insights

• Scammers often use the perception of familiarity to trick people into sharing their credit card details.
• Consumers can protect themselves and spot card fraud by taking a few moments to check the environment where they are asked to share personal information.
• The online reviews highlighting consumer issues on PissedConsumer provide valuable tips for safe online shopping.

6 Common Ways to Get Your Credit Card Information

If you've ever wondered how my credit card number got stolen, you’re not alone. According to the data, credit card fraud was the most common type of identity theft in the first three quarters of 2024, with 326,617 cases reported to the FTC. Scammers have become more adept at exploiting the familiarity of everyday situations to acquire stolen credit card information. Therefore, it is essential that consumers take a few moments to double-check the information they are presented with before sharing their credit card information.

Phishing emails and texts

Phishing emails and texts are sent by scammers purporting to come from a legitimate source. In reality, these are the tools of the trade of credit card scamming criminals and the most common answer to the question of how do people steal credit card numbers.

While many of these email scams, including the fake Netflix email illustrated below, will appear genuine, they are often used to acquire stolen credit card numbers. However, several tell-tale signs will highlight these phishing examples as a scam. These include unusual or misspelt email addresses, links to fake website addresses or urgent requests to contact fake customer service telephone numbers. 

Source: ftc.gov

If you need clarification on the legitimacy of an email or text message, do not click on any of the links or call any of the numbers provided. Instead, go directly to the organization's website to check your account details, or contact the customer services team via a legitimate route.

Fake eCommerce websites

Often linked to phishing email campaigns, fake eCommerce websites are frequently a direct copy of or mimic legitimate and trusted online stores and form the basis of many common credit card scams. 

A recent review on PissedConsumer highlights how many of these sites can also appear on the major search engines and social networks, luring consumers in with the offer of bargain prices or quick fixes to potentially complicated procedures. 

…I still do not why Google still allowed this scammer's site to pop up on the top. I have so much regret that I did it in a hurry without checking out the site carefully..

The review also warns how scammers can collect lots of sensitive information, even if they cannot take funds from illicitly gained credit card details.

Luckily, the site could not process my credit card info. However, I just realized this is a phishing website and lost all my personal sensitive info.

Data breaches

Scammers frequently target consumers' personal information, including credit card details, by hacking into legitimate organizations' online systems. While companies are legally required to take steps to protect personal information stored in their systems and report breaches in a timely fashion to protect credit card online payments, scammers deploy highly sophisticated attacks that often leave security experts on the back foot. To reduce the risk of data breaches, consumers are advised to regularly change their passwords and monitor credit card statements for unexpected payments.

Card theft and physical loss

Whenever a credit card goes missing, it's essential to report it as lost or stolen as quickly as possible. A lost or stolen credit card can lead to many problems later on. This recent review on PissedConsumer #5974925 highlights how problems continued for the consumer long after the original loss of their card. 

My credit card was stolen and was charged with $888.40 on May 22, 2024. Payment was made on Aliexpress. I blocked the card and the payment was approved by Aliexpress.

This review also highlights the importance of monitoring your credit card statements and notifying your card providers of unexpected charges.

Public Wi-Fi vulnerabilities 

Public Wi-Fi hotspots, such as those provided in coffee shops, shopping malls, and airports, are convenient but not always as secure as they could be. If the network isn’t secure, scammers may be able to see any personal information you share online, including credit card information, which can then be stolen. If at all possible, only share credit card information or other valuable personal information over a secure Wi-Fi network.

Using card skimmers or shimmers

A card skimmer or shimmer is a hidden device that scammers attach to ATMs, gas pumps, and point-of-sale terminals. These devices steal credit or debit card data, including PINs, which can be used to clone your card and make fraudulent purchases. Consumers are urged to check ATMs and payment terminals for unusual or poorly fitted fixtures, looking for mismatched colors, materials, or bulky card slots that don't match the rest of the machine. 

The image on this Reddit post highlights how sophisticated and challenging many skimming devices have become to spot.

Source: reddit.com

Warning Signs Your Data May Be Compromised

Several warning signs indicate you may have fallen victim to credit card theft. These include:

• Small unauthorized charges are often used by scammers to test stolen credit cards before larger transactions are attempted.
• Your credit card was declined unexpectedly despite having sufficient funds or credit available.
• Not receiving monthly credit card statements could indicate that someone has changed your account information and is attempting to hide fraudulent activity.
• Notifications of account changes, such as unauthorized password updates, edits to contact information, and newly linked devices, are a clear sign of fraudulent activity. 
• An unexplained decline in your credit score could indicate illicit spending or missed payments due to fraud.
• Your card being used in locations you’ve never visited before is a common scam alert.

Stay Vigilant To Reduce Your Risk of Credit Card Fraud

Credit card fraud prevention starts by being vigilant. The online reviews and consumer insights on PissedConsumer are a great starting point for researching scams and learning how to reach a company to solve consumer issues. However, if you've ever been a victim of credit card theft, why not share your experience and write a review to warn others and help them keep their credit and debit card information safe and secure?