Thieves can obtain your card number, expiry date, and security code using different techniques. They can use skimming devices placed on ATMs or point-of-sale payment terminals or phishing scams where they trick you into revealing your card details or hacking into databases that store card information.
When you bank or shop on public Wi-Fi networks, hackers can use keylogging software to capture everything you type, including your name, debit card account number and PIN. Phishing. Be wary of messages soliciting your account information.
There are several ways people steal credit card numbers, including through your mail, email, public Wi-Fi networks, and data breaches. Keep careful watch of your credit card statements, credit report, and personal information so you can act quickly if you see any suspicious activity.
Fraudsters can still use your debit card even if they don't have the card itself. They don't even need your PIN—just your card number. If you've used your debit card for an off-line transaction (a transaction without your PIN), your receipt will show your full debit card number.
Card skimmers
A card skimmer is a device that's installed on card readers and can collect credit card numbers. Thieves can then recover and use the stolen information to make fraudulent purchases. In some cases, a skimmer is in the form of a tiny camera placed on a card reader.
Malware and spyware
Accidentally downloading malware or spyware can enable hackers to access information stored on your computer, including credit card information and other details. Malware may include a keylogger that records your keystrokes or browser history and then sends that information to a hacker.
A fraudster installs a card skimming device to a gas station fuel pump, skims your debit card information and uses it to drain your bank account. A service or repair person finds old statements in your home, steals your account number and racks up thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges.
Can You Track Someone Who Used Your Credit Card Online? No. However, if you report the fraud in a timely manner, the bank or card issuer will open an investigation. Banks have a system for investigating credit card fraud, including some standard procedures.
If you learn that your debit card information has been compromised, contact your bank immediately to limit the damage the thief can do, and limit your financial responsibility for the fraud.
Even if someone has your credit card number, if they don't have the corresponding CVV, it's much harder to make unauthorized purchases with it. By asking for the CVV code, the merchant is adding an extra level of security to ensure that the cardmember is the one making the purchase.
Check your accounts for unauthorized charges or debits and continue monitoring your accounts. If you have online or mobile access to your accounts, check your transactions as frequently as possible. If you receive paper statements, be sure to open them and review them closely.
How to spot it: Check your credit card or bank statement when you get it. Look for purchases or withdrawals you didn't make. Bonus advice: Sign up to get text or email alerts from your credit card or bank whenever there's a new transaction. This could help you spot unauthorized or fraudulent activity on your account.
However, it's also an increasingly popular way for criminals to steal your card information. They do this by attaching devices to gas pump terminals called skimmers. These card skimming devices read the magnetic stripe on your credit or debit card when you slide it into a card reader.
Ways your credit card numbers can be stolen
Phishing emails often look legitimate on the surface, but these fraudulent messages are crafted with a nefarious purpose. Many phishing emails try to get you to click a button or link that takes you to a familiar-looking fraudulent site to enter your account information.
The smart chip is not a locator system, so the physical location of a credit or debit card cannot be tracked. Also known as an EMV chip, this smart chip embedded on your card creates dynamic data for every transaction, which makes it nearly impossible for criminals to steal or clone your information.
Is debit card fraud common? In 2021, the FTC Consumer Sentinel Network received nearly 70,000 fraud reports where a debit card was used as a payment method by fraudsters. This resulted in a total loss of over $140 million for consumers. "Debit card fraud, unfortunately, is all too common.
Banks have a legal and ethical responsibility to refund scammed money to their customers. However, you can't always get scammed money back. Whether it's a lack of evidence or human error on your part, thieves can sometimes get away with your stolen funds.
Capable hackers are able to crack the security on merchants and other card data holders, and access large volumes of card data. With the heightened awareness of cybercrime, the industry has made strides in using more secure techniques for storing data (or in many cases, ensuring that they don't store it).
If someone has used your card in a store or online, you're covered under the Payment Services Regulations. The regulations state you must be refunded immediately if you've had money taken from your account without your permission.
Contact your bank immediately
If you claim the use of the card was not authorised by you, it is for your bank to prove otherwise. The bank may be able to cancel the payment or put the money back into your account. If your card provider will not give you your money back, report them to Trading Standards.
In general, credit cards offer better fraud protection. If someone skims your credit card information, for example, you have time to dispute the charge before you're liable for the payment and the pending charge may never even post to your account.
If you believe your card has been cloned, your credit card company or bank should be the first call you make. The more quickly you cancel the card, the less time thieves have to rack up charges. The good news is that consumers are not typically responsible for the amounts lost in cases of credit card fraud.