Millions Of Payment Card Details Found On Dark Web – USA And Visa Hit Hardest
Cristina is a freelance writer and a mother of two living in Denmark. Her 15 years experience in communication includes developing content for tv, online, mobile apps, and a chatbot. Because the dark web is a kind of black box, it can be a hotspot for cyber thieves.
Understanding Dark Web Credit Cards
A scammer will call posing as an authority figure who needs to confirm your credit card information. Often the scammer will use serious threats — like jail time for unpaid taxes or criminal activity on your card — to get you to act. These small devices collect credit card data from the card’s magnetic strips, which criminals then use to create a cloned card. Thieves install skimmers on ATMs, gas pumps, and other publicly available card readers. Perhaps surprisingly, family members are often the perpetrators of credit card fraud. A family member or friend you trust could have access to your cards and use them without permission.
The dark web is often portrayed as a shadowy realm filled with illegal activities, and among these activities is the trade of dark web credit cards. These cards are often obtained through illicit means and can be used for various purposes, from purchasing illegal goods to evading detection while making online transactions.
The impact of underground marketplaces and how personal details are sold and distributed made headlines earlier in 2023 when Europol reported the takedown of Gensis Market following an action day on April 4. On this marketplace, criminals could purchase “bots” that had infected victims’ devices through account takeover attacks or malware. In addition to providing stolen data, the marketplace gave criminals the means to use it by facilitating access to custom browsers that would mimic the one used by their victim. This allowed the fraudsters to access their victim’s accounts without triggering any security measures from the platform. UK credit and debit card details are among the most common on the dark web. According to a report published by cybersecurity company NordVPN, the country is third only to the United States and India.
What Are Dark Web Credit Cards?
India did not top Group-IB’s list of nations where malware slung by malicious Android overlay vendor InTheBox is prevalent. Australia took the lead in this category with 34 mobile apps, followed by India with 33. Group-IB’s business development director Kamo Basentsyan said it is easy to understand why India, Indonesia and Vietnam are targeted – they’re large nations and heavy users of infotech.
Dark web credit cards are typically stolen credit card information that has been made available on various underground marketplaces on the dark web. These cards are sold in bulk or individually and can be used to make unauthorized purchases, resulting in significant financial losses for the cardholders.
“Each time a gaming company approves a purchase using a stolen card, they are hit with a chargeback fee to cover the cost of the purchase. If there are too many chargebacks, these gaming publishers also get hit with fines from payment networks – so it’s a double whammy.” (Global Security Magazine). Online gaming has grown significantly in recent years, with millions of gamers making purchases for in-game content and currencies around the world. However, alongside this expansion has come a growing trend of stolen cards being used to make fraudulent purchases in the gaming industry. At N26, we offer our customers convenient, digital banking — without compromising on security. You get extra peace of mind, thanks to security features such as biometric authentication, smartphone pairing, and 3D Secure technology.
Legitimate users of the dark web include activists, or people who live under oppressive regimes, but they only account for a small percentage of the dark web. The sale of payment card information is big business; in 2022, the average price of stolen credit card data averaged between $17 and $120, depending upon the account’s balance. Another way gift card fraud occurs is when a retailer’s online systems which store gift card data undergo brute force attacks from automated bots.
The detective monitored the site for the next few weeks to try to see how many cards were being bought in a week. It was around 96,000 cards so within a week’s time Roman had brought in 2.4 million US dollars. Then once the scanner found the computer on the internet was running Remote Desktop, they would then attempt to brute force login to it by cycling through thousands of commonly-used usernames and passwords. Then if the password had been guessed correctly, the hacker can access the computer as if they were sitting right in front of it. This is a sloppy, noisy, and easy way to hack into computers but it seemed to be working. The reality is that nobody should have Remote Desktop exposed to the internet like that yet thousands of computers were which might also mean they weren’t using good passwords, either.
How Dark Web Credit Cards Are Acquired
Many individuals resort to the dark web for credit card information because traditional methods often fall short. Here’s how these credit cards generally circulate:
- Hacking: Cybercriminals use malware or phishing schemes to acquire sensitive data from unsuspecting victims.
- Data Breaches: Corporations sometimes expose their databases, leading to sensitive customer information being sold.
- Social Engineering: Scammers manipulate individuals into providing their credit card information through various deceitful tactics.
Risks Associated with Dark Web Credit Cards
Using dark web credit cards carries significant risks:
- Legal Repercussions: Engaging in any transaction using stolen or illegally obtained credit card information is against the law and can lead to severe penalties.
- Financial Loss: Merchants may cancel orders once they identify the transaction as fraudulent, or the cardholder might face chargebacks.
- Identity Theft: Using stolen information can lead to further violations of personal security, resulting in identity theft.
Alternatives to Dark Web Credit Cards
While the allure of dark web credit cards may be strong for some, there are safer and legal alternatives for making purchases:
- Prepaid Cards: These cards allow consumers to spend money without relying on traditional credit lines, helping them stay within a budget.
- Virtual Credit Cards: Many banks offer virtual card numbers for online shopping, providing an extra layer of anonymity and security.
- Secure Payment Systems: Using platforms like PayPal or cryptocurrency adds another layer of protection against fraud.
FAQs about Dark Web Credit Cards
1. Are dark web credit cards real?
Yes, dark web credit cards involve real stolen credit card data, but they are illegal and come with high risks.
2. Can I use dark web credit cards safely?
Using dark web credit cards is inherently unsafe and illegal, with potential legal consequences for both buyers and sellers.
3. How can I protect myself from credit card fraud?
Monitor your credit card statements, use secure payment methods, and enable alerts to detect unauthorized transactions quickly.
4. What to do if my credit card information is stolen?
- Credit card issuers offer free features and tools to deal with rampant identity theft and, specifically, credit card fraud.
- CreditWise is a free service that gives you the ability to detect suspicious activity.
- Sponsored content is written and edited by members of our sponsor community.
Immediately contact your bank to freeze your account, and consider a credit monitoring service to prevent further fraud.
Conclusion
The presence of dark web credit cards highlights the pervasive issue of online fraud and identity theft. While the dark web may seem like a treasure trove for illegal goods and services, the dangers and legal implications far outweigh the fleeting benefits. It’s crucial to stay informed and utilize safe financial practices to protect oneself from these illicit activities.
