Dark Web Credit Card: What You Need to Know

Cards from the Home Depot breach were first noticed at a known dealer called Rescator. In the past year, Rescator has been the principal vendor in a number of large-scale breaches, including the Target infiltration, the Sally Beauty break-in, the P.F. Chang’s job, and the Harbor Freight caper, according to computer security reporter Brian Krebs, who first broke the Home Depot story. He explains that beyond common attacks like injecting e-skimmers into websites, many attackers still target point of sale (POS) systems directly.

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The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It is often associated with illegal activities, including the sale of stolen credit card information. In this article, we will explore what you need to know about dark web credit card transactions.

How Are Credit Cards Stolen and Sold on the Dark Web?

Credit cards are typically stolen through data breaches, phishing scams, or skimming devices. Once the information is obtained, it is often sold on the dark web to criminals who use it for fraudulent purchases or to create fake identities.

Data Breaches

Data breaches occur when a hacker gains unauthorized access to a company’s database containing sensitive information, such as credit card numbers. This information is then sold on the dark web to the highest bidder.

Phishing Scams

Phishing scams are designed to trick individuals into providing their credit card information voluntarily. This is often done through emails or text messages that appear to be from a legitimate company, but are actually from scammers.

Skimming Devices

Skimming devices are small devices that can be attached to ATMs or payment terminals to capture credit card information. This information is then sold on the dark web.

How to Protect Your Credit Card Information

Protecting your credit card information is crucial in preventing it from being stolen and sold on the dark web. Here are some tips to help keep your information safe:

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Choosing a VPN provider with a successful track record of protecting user security and privacy would also be best. Compromised online accounts can also lead to your credit card information being published on the dark web. A compromised online account is an account that has been accessed without the permission of the person who owns it. Accounts are often compromised due to weak password practices like using short passwords or reusing passwords across multiple accounts. According to the hackers offering the cards, the database of information contained credit card numbers, expiration dates, CVV, owner’s name, address, city, state, country, and zip code.

• Use strong, unique passwords for all of your online accounts.
• Be cautious of unsolicited emails or text messages asking for your credit card information.
• Monitor your credit card statements regularly for any suspicious activity.

The financial repercussions for victims can be debilitating, leading to damaged credit scores, fraudulent charges, and identity theft. Furthermore, participating in these illegal activities carries the constant risk of being caught by law enforcement agencies. Illegal trading posts and marketplaces are constantly being closed by law enforcement agencies. However, when it comes to the purchase and sale of stolen information, a handful of websites remain popular. According to Sixgill, three trading posts accounted for 64 percent of the cards on offer during the first half of 2019.

• Use a virtual private network (VPN) when accessing public Wi-Fi networks.
• Consider using a credit monitoring service to alert you of any potential breaches.

To help consumers and businesses cut down on credit card fraud, Cybersixgill offers several tips. Almost half (45%) of the cards for sale on underground markets were issued in the United States. One likely reason is because the U.S. is home to more than 1 billion credit cards. An American consumer owns four credit cards on average, compared with citizens in the European Union who own one or two cards, according to Experian. There are different tools you can use to see if your information is on the dark web, has been leaked in a data breach or is easily accessible on the surface (in other words, not dark) web. Experian’s free dark web scan can look for your email address, phone number and Social Security number, and Experian’s personal privacy scan can search for your information on people finder sites.

• Use multifactor authentication to prevent threat actors from guessing at weak passwords, or getting into your systems with a brute force attack.
• From the data D3Labs has examined so far, about 30% appear to be fresh, so if this applies roughly to the entire dump, at least 350,000 cards would still be valid.
• As ever, always be careful when entering your account details online, and of course, get in touch with your bank if you do see any suspicions transactions.
• A SOCRadar researcher has detected a concerning post where a threat actor claims to be selling alleged mobile data for Qatar.
• Remember, while evaluating seller feedback and ratings can provide valuable insights, engaging in credit card transactions on the Dark Web is illegal and carries significant risks.

What to Do If Your Credit Card Information Is Sold on the Dark Web

If you suspect that your credit card information has been sold on the dark web, it is important to take action immediately. Here are the steps you should take:

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1. Contact your credit card company and report the fraud.
2. File a police report.
3. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports.
4. Consider freezing your credit.
5. Monitor your credit reports and financial statements closely for any further suspicious activity.

FAQs

Credit card skimmers are designed to look exactly like card readers so that people aren’t suspicious of them. When a victim falls for a card skimmer and inserts or swipes their card, their card gets scanned and the card information is sent to the threat actor through Bluetooth. The victim’s transaction still goes through normally, so they won’t even know their card has been skimmed until it’s too late. Depending on the type of account a cybercriminal compromises, they can gain access to many types of personal information, including your credit card information.

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 is often associated with illegal activities, including the sale of stolen credit card information.

Hackers Sell 80K Stolen Credit Card Details On Dark Web

How are credit cards stolen and sold on the dark web? Credit cards are typically stolen through data breaches, phishing scams, or skimming devices. Once the information is obtained, it is often sold on the dark web to criminals who use it for fraudulent purchases or to create fake identities.

How can I protect my credit card information? Protecting your credit card information is crucial in preventing it from being stolen and sold on the dark web. Some tips to help keep your information safe include using strong, unique passwords, being cautious of unsolicited emails or text messages asking for your credit card information, monitoring your credit card statements regularly, using a virtual private network (VPN) when accessing public Wi-Fi networks, and considering using a credit monitoring service.

What should I do if my credit card information is sold on the dark web? If you suspect that your credit card information has been sold on the dark web, it is important to take action immediately. This includes contacting your credit card company and reporting the fraud, filing a police report, placing a fraud alert on your credit reports, considering freezing your credit, and monitoring your credit reports and financial statements closely for any further suspicious activity.