Carding: what is it

What happens if I pay with a stolen card? The responsibility lies with the bank that issued the cardholder's card, and if the purchase is later deemed fraudulent, the merchant is not responsible for refunding the customer.

Carding:‌ what it is and how to protect yourself from this cyber threat

Imagine that one day, when you check your bank account statement, you find charges that you don't recognize. Shopping in stores you've never been to, subscriptions to services you don't use... a whole financial chaos that leaves you perplexed. That's when you realize that you have been a victim of one of the most dangerous practices in the world of cybercrime: the⁢ carding, a form of fraud that can leave you with empty accounts and a monumental headache.

What is carding?

Carding‌ is a form of fraud that consists of using stolen credit or debit cards to make unauthorized purchasesCriminals obtain card information through various methods, such as phishing, skimming or purchasing data on the black market.

Once they have the card details (number, expiration date and security code) in their possession, criminals can make purchases online or in physical stores, leaving the cardholder with a debt⁤ that they did not incur.

How do criminals obtain card information?

There are several methods that cybercriminals ‌use⁤ to obtain credit or debit card data:

• • Phishing: consists of sending fraudulent emails or messages that impersonate the identity of banking entities or businesses, in order to trick the user into providing their financial information.

• • Skimming: This involves the installation of devices in⁤ ATMs or payment terminals, capable of copying card data when they are inserted.

• • Purchasing data on the black market: Criminals⁢ can also‍ acquire stolen card information on dark web forums and underground markets.

How to protect yourself from carding?

To avoid being a victim of carding, it is essential to follow some security recommendations:

1. • Keep your antivirus and firewall software up to date.

• • Do not open suspicious emails or links.

• • Always check the URL of the web pages where you enter your financial data.

• • Use strong passwords and change them regularly.

• • Activate your bank's notifications to receive alerts of suspicious movements.

• • Do not provide sensitive information over the phone or email.

What to do if you have been a victim of carding?

If you suspect that you have been a victim of carding, it is crucial to act immediately:

• • Contact your bank or card issuing entity to block it and report unauthorized charges.

• • File a complaint with the competent authorities.

• • Carefully review your account statements and report any suspicious transactions.

• • Consider purchasing fraud insurance.

Carding is a real and growing threat in the digital world. Staying informed, applying security measures and acting quickly on any sign of fraud are key to protecting our finances and our peace of mind. Don't let criminals get away with it; take control of your online security and protect your cards against carding.