How Did Someone Get Your Credit Card Number?
Understanding the Dark Web and Stolen Credit Card Numbers
In a Sunday advertisement on the Dark Web, 125,000 of the stolen credit card accounts were offered for sale on the Dark Web. Since the advent of the internet, criminals have been able to buy stolen payment card information rather easily. Cardholders eventually catch on to the fraud and their card number is changed.
Malta, Australia, and New Zealand came at the top of the risk index, with the US closely following in 5th place. Many of the stolen card numbers were hacked using a tactic cybersecurity experts call “brute-forcing,” the report said. In brute-forcing, a computer tries to guess your password, testing a series of numbers until it gets it right, possibly in as few as six seconds. A computer is able to “make thousands of guesses a second,” Briedis said. “After all, criminals don’t target specific individuals or specific cards. It’s all about guessing any viable card details that work to sell.” Discover was also early to the game with a service that alerts cardholders when their Social Security number or other identifying information appears on risky websites, also called the dark web.
This underworld marketplace is a perfect platform for trading stolen credit card information, often sold in batches at surprisingly low prices. Some have fresher cards that were just stolen yesterday so finding good credit card dump vendors is highly sought after. First is to protect the president, vice president, their families, and ex-presidents, and their second objective is to investigate criminal activity relating to financial and payment industries within the US. They’re on there, making accounts, exploring the site, watching key players buying credit cards, and taking notes. Not only is stealing someone’s credit card illegal but then selling that is also illegal, and then someone else using the stolen credit card is illegal too.
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It is often associated with illegal activities, including the buying and selling of stolen credit card numbers. Understanding this hidden part of the internet can help individuals protect themselves against fraud and identity theft.
The gift cards can be sold for cash or used to purchase other goods—laptops and TV sets, for example—that can in turn be resold for cash. Carders ply their trade in the obscurity of the dark web—that region of the internet that isn’t indexed by search engines and can’t be reached with normal web browsers. Simply put, carders steal credit card numbers, make sure they work, then assemble them into blocks of lists to be sold to thieves. Millions of customers’ card data have been compromised in the past decade. No matter how vigilant you are, there is nothing you can do to prevent a data breach on a merchant’s website, but using a virtual card can shield your actual card data from being exposed.
Transactions can occur at incredibly rapid rates, making it difficult to track down where data is being moved. If a data breach or hack exposes users’ card details as well as their addresses and other personal information, it can lead to identity theft. Two million of the cards for sale included their American owners’ home address and telephone number, while 1 million cards included email addresses, and about 100,000 cards included their owners’ date of birth and even SSN. According to NordVPN’s card fraud risk index, on a scale from 0 to 1, America’s payment card fraud risk index is 0.79.
What Are Dark Web Stolen Credit Card Numbers?
Carding sites have existed for years, with new markets popping up on the dark web as authorities shut down existing sites. During a one-year period from mid-2021 to mid-2022, Cybersixgill collected over 100 million posts from threat actors on the underground discussing carding activities. Carding sites also serve a critical function in the cybercriminal ecosystem, providing a sales channel for data from breaches, malware that collects sensitive information, and other sniffer devices.
Dark web stolen credit card numbers are financial data that have been illegally obtained from unsuspecting individuals through various means, such as phishing attacks, data breaches, and skimming devices. Once these numbers are acquired, they are frequently sold on the dark web to criminals looking to commit fraud.
Then once that was over, federal court in Atlanta, Georgia took a shot at Roman, too. Federal prosecutors there claimed Roman, along with 14 other people, hacked into RBS Worldpay which is a payment processor in Atlanta. Some were quitting because he was very hard to work with and some Roman was firing because he didn’t like what they were suggesting. The lawyers were suggesting he takes a plea deal, like gives the Secret Service some information about carding criminals and work out a deal to do very little time.
How Are Stolen Credit Card Numbers Obtained?
Criminals utilize multiple tactics to collect sensitive information:
- Phishing: Fraudulent emails or websites trick users into providing personal information.
- Data Breaches: Hackers infiltrate company databases and steal customer information.
- Skimming: Small devices are placed on ATMs or point-of-sale systems to capture card information during transactions.
Why Are Stolen Credit Card Numbers Sold on the Dark Web?
Criminals sell stolen credit card numbers for several reasons:
- Anonymity: The dark web provides a level of anonymity that is appealing to cybercriminals.
- High Demand: Many individuals, particularly those involved in illicit activities, seek stolen card data to purchase goods without using their own financial information.
- Profit: Selling stolen data can yield high profits with relatively low risk, given the concealment offered by the dark web.
- Making payments online is faster, safer, and easier with Privacy Virtual Cards because of the straightforward interface and multi-platform accessibility.
- Not just criminals, but also the banks themselves, according to dark web analysts.
- But as data breaches, online shopping and virtual economies become more common, credit card fraud is expected to continue rising.
- By training your employees, you can make sure they’re able to spot social engineering schemes, avoid malware, and keep their own personal information safe, as well as the information of your customers.
How to Protect Yourself from Having Your Credit Card Information Stolen
To safeguard your personal and financial information, consider the following strategies:
- Use Strong Passwords: Implement complex passwords for your online accounts and change them regularly.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Add an extra layer of security for your accounts, making it harder for hackers to gain access.
- Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.
- Be Wary of Public Wi-Fi: Avoid entering sensitive information on unsecured networks.
- Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest scams and techniques used by cybercriminals.
FAQs About Dark Web Stolen Credit Card Numbers
Q: How can I find out if my credit card number is on the dark web?
A: There are services available that monitor the dark web for stolen information linked to your email or credit card number. They can alert you if your information is found.
Q: What should I do if I discover my credit card information has been compromised?
A: Contact your bank immediately to report the theft, and they can help you secure your account. Additionally, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report.
Q: Is it illegal to access the dark web?
A: Accessing the dark web itself is not illegal; however, engaging in illegal activities, such as purchasing stolen credit card numbers, is against the law.
Q: How do criminals typically use stolen credit card numbers?
A: Criminals often use the stolen numbers to make unauthorized purchases, transfer funds, or sell them to other criminals for profit.
Conclusion
The prevalence of dark web stolen credit card numbers highlights the importance of practicing safe online habits. By understanding how these numbers are obtained and protecting your own information, you can help prevent becoming a victim of identity theft and fraud.
