
In March 2021, the FTC shut down a deceptive fundraising ring that operated across 38 states. Once you agree to make a donation, the scammers may sell your credit card information to other criminals on the Dark Web who can use your data to commit various types of identity theft. Fraudsters can quickly edit their scripts and trick donors under the guise of supporting children in need, war victims, or people in disaster areas after a hurricane or flood. This long-running scam can be easily adapted to trending issues in the news. The donated money is then sent directly to a criminal’s bank account. Charity scams taking advantage of trending news storiesĬharity scams are a type of fraud in which scammers pose as known organizations and encourage people to make charitable donations.

The bureaus will notify you if they detect suspicious behavior on your account. Your bank, card issuer, and the major credit bureaus have extensive anti-fraud services like credit monitoring and spending alerts. When a fraudster tampers with your credit card account, financial institutions take notice. If you see an increase in communications from strangers or companies (via phone, text, email, post, social media, or in-person), you could be a target of a credit card scam.īe especially careful of any communication claiming to be from a government agency or your bank. Most scams rely on some form of direct communication. Here are the most common red flags that will warn you if your credit card has been compromised: Unsolicited texts, calls, or emails

But the sooner you can take action, the better chance you have of protecting your finances. You may not realize that you’ve fallen victim to credit fraud until it's too late.

💡 Related: Did Scammers Use Your Credit Card Numbers Online? Do This! → Warning Signs of Credit Card Theft
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So, how do fraudsters trick their victims into giving up their credit card numbers?Ĭredit card scams range from advanced schemes like keylogging software and card skimmers at gas pumps to basic approaches like shoulder surfing.īut no matter the scam, the goal is always the same: steal your credit card information or enough of your Personally Identifiable Information (PII) - like addresses, mobile phone numbers, or Social Security numbers (SSNs) - to gain access to your credit and drain your accounts. With 70% of Americans carrying credit cards, they offer a unique opportunity for criminals who take advantage of card security flaws or use social engineering attacks to trick you into giving up your card, credit, or money . Credit card fraud occurs when someone steals your actual credit card, account numbers, or card information to make unauthorized charges.
