Phishception – SendGrid Is Abused To Host Phishing Attacks Impersonating Itself
Understanding Stolen Credit Card Numbers on the Dark Web
All the cards from the database are being sold for $9 each, representing a collective black-market value of $4.16 million. The Daily Swig asked CERT-In to comment on what action is has taken, which might include notifying affected banks, to mitigate potential fraud arising from the illegal underground sale. The vast majority (98% of the records) came from Indian banks, Group-IB said in its threat report. The Dark Web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by regular search engines and can only be accessed using specialized software. Checking to see whether your data is there takes time, knowledge and effort.
The dark web is a hidden part of the internet where illicit activities thrive, including the sale of stolen credit card numbers. These numbers are acquired through various means, such as data breaches, phishing scams, and malware attacks.
Still others are focused specifically on monetizing the cards by making purchases to be re-sold for cash. Most victims only become aware that credit cards have been compromised during this last stage, since that’s when charges begin to show up in bank account transactions. The Federal Trade Commission reported over 2.4 million cases of fraud in the U.S. in 2022. Credit card fraud has become so normalized that banks offer 24/7 hotlines specifically for victims to report lost and stolen cards. Though always a hassle, the process of handling credit card fraud can be relatively painless for consumers. But as data breaches, online shopping and virtual economies become more common, credit card fraud is expected to continue rising.
Meanwhile, the Dumps Checker and CVV2 Checker tools offer quality assurance, allowing buyers to verify the validity of purchased data, thus safeguarding their investments against defunct or outdated information. A dump of hundreds of thousands of active accounts is aimed at promoting AllWorld.Cards, a recently launched cybercriminal site for selling payment credentials online. Cybercriminals are also willing to shift their wares to other channels in response to market closures. The report says that Instant Relay Chat (IRC) and encrypted platforms, such as Telegram, are also providing a way for stolen data to be traded. Experts say in addition to checking your credit card statements, you can set daily limits on your credit or debit card. That way if a hacker does get your card number they can’t take very much of your cash.
They can freeze the card and investigate further to trace usage details, suspicious activities, and other signs of theft. Three suspected cybercriminals from Indonesia recently confessed to stealing payment card data with the help of GetBilling JS-sniffer family. Nord didn’t go to a Tor server and download a bunch of illegal databases full of credit card numbers (we’re taking it on faith). But it did partner with some unnamed cybersecurity researchers who were evaluating these databases—one in particular had obtained 4.5 million credit card records. Nord then calculated a risk index for every country in the world, mapped above. The closer your country is to a 1 on the index, the more likely your card is to be available already on the Dark Web.
It’s important to highlight that there’s a difference between a legitimate test credit card number and the practice of fraudsters testing stolen credit card credentials. Carefully review your credit report, making note of any recent changes to your credit score. You can request free credit reports directly from the three main credit reporting bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — or from AnnualCreditReport.com, a service run by the federal government.
How Credit Card Information is Stolen
“So the criminals typically have one billing cycle to have a shopping spree.” Journalist Brian Krebs of KrebsonSecurity.com wrote that he found the newest batch of cards on that site. The hacker asked for payment in Bitcoin, a difficult-to-trace digital currency.
Several methods are employed by cybercriminals to steal credit card information:
- Phishing Scams: Fraudulent emails that trick users into revealing their financial information.
- Data Breaches: Hacking into businesses to obtain customer databases containing credit card details.
- Skimming Devices: Hardware gadgets placed on ATMs or point-of-sale terminals that capture card information when swiped.
- Malware Infections: Software designed to infiltrate computers and record keystrokes, thus capturing sensitive information.
How Stolen Credit Card Numbers are Used
Once they have obtained stolen credit card numbers, criminals exploit this information in various ways:
- Then, they either ask you to “confirm” your financial information or click on a link that sends you to a fake site that captures your information or downloads malware onto your device.
- That alone is worth millions of dollars and it seemed like Roman was selling a lot of these.
- In the email, there’s a link to a “mynetflix.payment.com” page (or something similar) that looks like the streaming service’s accounts page.
- 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.
- Online Purchases: Using the information to buy items from e-commerce websites.
- Reselling on the Dark Web: Selling the stolen information to other criminals for further exploitation.
- Identity Theft: Utilizing the information to create fake identities for fraudulent purposes.
The Role of the Dark Web
The dark web serves as a marketplace for buying and selling stolen credit card information. Here’s why it’s dangerous:
- Anonymity: Transactions are often conducted with cryptocurrencies, making it hard to trace the sellers.
- Wide Reach: Cybercriminals from around the world can access and trade information without geographical restrictions.
- Variety of Offers: Stolen credit card numbers can be purchased at varying prices, depending on the card’s value and validity.
What to Do If Your Credit Card Is Compromised
If you suspect your credit card information may have been stolen, take immediate action:
- Contact Your Bank: Report the incident and freeze your account.
- Monitor Your Statements: Keep an eye on transaction history for unauthorized purchases.
- Change Passwords: Update passwords for online accounts, especially financial ones.
FAQs About Stolen Credit Card Numbers on the Dark Web
How common is the sale of stolen credit card numbers on the dark web?
The sale of stolen credit card numbers is alarmingly common, with thousands of listings available at any given time.
Can stolen credit card numbers be tracked?
While credit card companies may have monitoring systems, the anonymous nature of the dark web complicates tracking stolen numbers once they are sold.
What are the signs that my credit card has been compromised?
- Unexpected transactions or charges on your statement.
- Receiving unfamiliar alerts from your bank.
- Phone calls from your bank regarding suspicious activity.
Staying informed about the risks associated with stolen credit card numbers on the dark web and taking proactive measures can significantly mitigate your potential exposure to financial crime.
