The dark web is a notorious corner of the internet where cybercriminals buy and sell stolen credit card numbers, personal information, and other illicit goods and services. If you’re a credit card holder, it’s important to understand how your card numbers can end up on the dark web, what the risks are, and how you can protect yourself.
How Credit Card Numbers End Up on the Dark Web
- If your credit card has a zero-liability policy, and the vast majority do, you won’t need to pay anything for fraudulent charges.
- Avoid relying on the same passwords across different websites and services.
- Rather than relying on yourself to create your own strong passwords, consider using a password manager.
- The problem though is that the Maldives doesn’t have an extradition treaty with the US either, so they aren’t going to help the US in capturing him.
- Given the size of losses from payment card fraud, credit card monitoring in the deep and dark web is an indispensable service for financial organizations.
There are several ways that credit card numbers can end up on the dark web:
Millions Of Credit Card Numbers Found On The Dark Web For Free
In Q3, Chat-Based Services proved to be most popular among threat actors, with more than half of threats observed marketed through these types of services rather than Dark Web forums. You can also limit your risk by being picky about your ATMs, where criminals sometimes install card skimming devices. These are hard to detect, but only using ATM machines inside banks or other physical buildings offers some protection, Thomas says. Some of the more sophisticated underground shops even have a money-back guarantee on some of the data they sell.
Why Aren’t Gaming Companies Blocking Fraudulent Payments?
- Data breaches: Cybercriminals can hack into businesses, financial institutions, and other organizations to steal large quantities of credit card information.
- Phishing scams: Cybercriminals can trick people into revealing their credit card numbers and other personal information through fake emails, text messages, and websites.
- Card skimming: Cybercriminals can install devices on ATMs and dark net payment terminals to capture credit card information as it’s being processed.
- Insider threats: Employees or contractors with access to credit card information can steal and sell it on the dark web.
The Risks of Stolen Credit Card Numbers on the Dark Web
Once credit card numbers are on the dark web, they can be used for a variety of fraudulent activities, including:
- Identity theft: Cybercriminals can use stolen credit card numbers to open new accounts in your name and run up debt.
- Card-not-present fraud: Cybercriminals can use stolen credit card numbers to make online purchases or pay for services.
- Account takeover fraud: Cybercriminals can take over your existing credit card accounts and make unauthorized purchases.
How to Protect Yourself from Stolen Credit Card Numbers on the Dark Web
Hawaiians And Patients Exposed By Health Network Cyberattack
This week was particularly active in Cybersecurity—attacks rained upon all states, from the Great Basin of Nevada to the Volcanoes of Hawaii. Flare monitors the clear and dark web as well as illicit Telegram channels for high-risk external threats to your organization. Cyberthreats are constantly evolving, and your security measures should be continuously updated as well.
While you can’t completely eliminate the risk of having your credit card numbers stolen and sold on the dark web, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk:
- Monitor your accounts: Regularly review your credit card statements and bank account activity for any suspicious charges or transactions.
- Use strong passwords: Use complex and unique passwords for all your online accounts, and consider using a password manager to keep track of them.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification in addition to your password.
- Be cautious with your personal information: Don’t share your credit card numbers or other personal information with anyone unless it’s absolutely necessary, and be wary of unsolicited emails and text messages.
- Consider identity theft protection: Identity theft protection services can monitor the dark web for your personal information and alert you if it’s found.
Stolen Card Data Leads Dark Web Threats
FAQs
What is the dark web? The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and requires special software to access. It’s often associated with illegal activities, such as the sale of stolen credit card numbers and other personal information.
The dark web is primarily used by people who want to have anonymity online. It was initially created for political activists and dissidents to communicate while living under oppressive governments. The first one or two numbers indicate the card type, like Visa or Mastercard. And the seventh to 15th number represents your account number, and the last digit is to verify the card’s authenticity. Brute-force hacking is essentially a complex way of guessing the sequence of numbers on the card. Unfortunately, most people aren’t aware that the numbers follow an international pattern.
How can I access the dark web? You’ll need to use a special browser, such as Tor, to access the dark web. However, we do not recommend visiting the dark web unless you have a legitimate reason to do so and are aware of the risks involved.
How can I tell if my credit card numbers have been stolen and sold on the dark web? Regularly monitoring your credit card statements and bank account activity is the best way to detect any suspicious charges or transactions. You can also consider using an identity theft protection service, which can monitor the dark web for your personal information and alert you if it’s found.
This is also why data breaches can have such a devastating impact on victims. Depending on which company was compromised and how much data was stolen, criminals might not steal only basic information—they might also learn purchasing behaviors and shopping habits. Having such highly personalized data means that a person using a consumer’s card can mimic behavior, lowering the chances of getting caught by a bank or even by the consumer.
What should I do if I suspect my credit card numbers have been stolen and sold on the dark web? If you suspect that your credit card numbers have been stolen and sold on the dark web, contact your dark web market credit card issuer immediately to report the fraud and request a new card. You should also consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports and reviewing your credit reports for any signs of identity theft.
