The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It’s often associated with illegal activities, including the sale of stolen credit card information.
How Credit Card Information is Stolen
Credit card information can be stolen in a number of ways, including:
International Data Center Day
- Data breaches at retailers and other businesses
- Phishing scams
- Card skimming devices
- Malware and spyware
The hackers are from the same group who are behind the Tokopedia data breach, in which 91 million user records were compromised and kept on sale on the hacking forums for $5,000. Later, the group breached India-based online learning platform Unacademy, which exposed details of 22 million users and kept the records for sale on the darknet forums for $2,000. Social engineering is another popular method to collect credit card information. We are used to seeing phishing pages harvest login credentials but credit card collection using phishing links is just as common.
Once credit card information is stolen, it can be sold on the dark web to individuals who want to use it for fraudulent purchases or to create fake identities.
How to Protect Your Credit Card Information
Rather than relying on yourself to create your own strong passwords, consider using a password manager. Password managers aid in creating, managing and storing your passwords so you won’t forget them. Some password managers like Keeper® even come with the ability to store Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) codes so you can add an additional layer of security to your accounts seamlessly. In 2021, the average American spent over 8 hours on the internet daily. This screen time includes everything from streaming video, scrolling social media, and browsing the web. Identity theft is a real and distressing crime that’s becoming a greater risk as more sensitive data moves to online locations.
There are several steps you can take to protect your credit card information, including:
- Only providing your credit card information to trusted websites and businesses
- Monitoring your credit card statements regularly for any suspicious activity
- Using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection
- Keeping your computer and antivirus software up to date
Morgan Wealth Management Branch or check out our latest online investing offers, promotions, and coupons. There are legitimate reasons to venture onto the dark web, from journalists with groundbreaking stories to whistleblowers ready to expose structural or corporate injustice. The dark web can give a voice to those who may have more information than power to share what they know.
- He wasn’t just searching for his name either but all his aliases and old names like Bulba and nCux.
- Some of the offers on this page may not be available through our website.
- The drug game is old news for some young hustlers, and credit card fraud (cracking cards) has taken its place.
- They represent a significant threat to sensitive information and assets but are extremely challenging to respond to.
- For example, the February 2023 post below from a popular cybercrime forum garnered 12 responses.
PJ&A Transcription Releases Update; 133 Million Exposures From 2023 Breaches
What to Do If Your Credit Card Information is Stolen
If you suspect that your credit card information has been stolen, you should:
- Contact your credit card company immediately to report the fraud
- File a police report
- Place a fraud alert on your credit reports
- Consider freezing your credit
FAQs
What is the dark web?
The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It’s often associated with illegal activities, including the sale of stolen credit card information.
Never Save Your Credit Card Information On Websites
How is credit card information stolen?
Credit card information can be stolen in a number of ways, including data breaches at retailers and other businesses, phishing scams, card skimming devices, and malware and spyware.
How can I protect my credit card information?
You can protect your credit card information by only providing it to trusted websites and businesses, monitoring your credit card statements regularly, using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection, and keeping your computer and antivirus software up to date.
What should I do if my credit card information is stolen?
If you suspect that your credit card information has been stolen, you should contact your credit card company immediately to report the fraud, file a police report, place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and consider freezing your credit.
