Everyone from around the world uses credit cards to purchase goods and services. In addition, many people make online payments by using credit cards. Credit cards help you in transacting without cash. You can perform as many transactions as your credit limit allows you, while using your credit card. After a certain period, you are then billed for your credit card payments. Later you can pay back the amount you have spent on your credit card, without interest, within a certain period. If the grace period expires, then the interest on your credit card bill is applicable to the amount of your outstanding credit card bill.
Table of Contents
What are the various credit card scams that are occurring right now?
Credit card scams frequently occur worldwide, and it brings about millions of cases. Therefore, people must be more careful while using their credit cards and ensure their details don’t get hacked. Hence, to help you learn about these frauds and how they operate, there are several credit card scams mentioned below:
-
Overcharge Scam:
In this scam, the victim gets an email, text, or phone call from some random person. The person tells the victim that their credit card has been charged more than the actual price for the product or service. To get a refund for the overpaid product/service, the scammer asks the victims to follow a procedure that includes revealing personal information. When the victim follows it, the scammer acquires their credit card details. Then finally, the scammer gets hold of the victim’s credit card and uses it for other illegal jobs.
For example, if F gets a text or a call from someone saying he has been charged more by mistake for some random product or service. F has to follow some steps to get correctly refunded, including revealing credit card details. First, F does as instructed by the scammer. After that, the scammer gets hold of F’s credit card details and uses them for other fraudulent activities.
-
Donation scams:
In a donation scam, the tricksters often pretend to be from some random charitable organization. They contact victims and ask for “donations” for their so-called organization. They will ask for the victim’s credit card information. After receiving money from the victim, the fraudsters disappear.
For example, B gets a call from a scammer saying he is from Mother Teresa Charitable Trust. The scammer then asks B for donations towards the organization. Subsequently, the scammer provides B with a link through a text, requesting to pay for the offering. B clicks on the link to pay for the donation, in which he also enters his/her credit card details. As soon as the scammer receives the money, he runs away.
-
Card fraud Department Scam:
In this scam, scammers call the victims, saying that they are from their credit card company. These people already have their victims’ details such as name, address, and place of work. The scammers use these details to appear like trustworthy experts. Once the victims have fallen for their trap, the victimizers inform them that fraudulent transactions have been taking place on their credit cards. The fraudsters also say that the victims will be liable for these transactions if they don’t seek their assistance. Finally, they suggest the victims reveal their credit card information.
-
Free Wi-fi scam:
When a person accesses free wi-fi, then there is a possibility that the victimizer is also connected to the same network. For example, if the victim makes an online purchase or uses internet banking while on a free wi-fi network, then the victim could be giving the scammers access to their credit card details.
-
Dumpster Driving scam:
Credit card holders generally throw away bills or documents which have credit card details in a public bin. In this case, the credit card thieves get a hold of these details and use them for committing fraud.
What is your immediate action if you are trapped in credit card fraud?
If some cheater stole your credit card and you found out about it immediately, do not worry. You can follow the below-mentioned steps to get your refund without fail.
- Don’t hesitate to contact your credit card company at the earliest. With your credit card number, they will be able to check what is going on with your credit card transactions and may help stop fraudulent transactions. Then the credit card company will block the commercial transactions on the stolen credit card and issue you a new one.
- Please remember to change your credit card PIN, password, or other security information if you think the cheater has attained its details.
- Kindly contact your credit card bureau to set a security alert on your credit card report.
- You must check your credit card statements every month. It is mandatory to do so. Just notify the bank if you notice fraudulent transactions on your credit card.
Are there any red flags that assist people in identifying the credit card scam?
Yes. Of course, red flags make people identify credit card scams. These below-mentioned red flags can help you in spotting credit card scams.
For the merchants:
- Getting new customers is excellent. Please remember to pay close attention to the new customers. There is a chance that someone posing as your customer is an agent of a fraud. Be alert because cheaters always look for an opportunity to trap you.
- Be aware when you get orders that are far beyond your average transaction.
- If you get an order for the same object multiple times but of different colors and sizes, then proceed with alertness and caution.
- If you get several orders with similar credit card numbers, please pay close attention to their legitimacy.
- If you get multiple orders from different cards but with delivery addresses being the same, it could be a fraud.
- It is weird to get many orders from the same IP address but with discrete cards.
- Abruptly gaining large orders with multiple payment cards could be a scam warning.
- If multiple orders have to be delivered to diverse addresses but are linked to one card, it indicates a fraud.
- If an order is declined or rejected, the scammer may try to buy something else at a lower cost. It is also a credit card fraud indication.
- Customers who object giving their secured information may be someone other than the credit card holder.
- Typing, grammatical, and spelling mistakes in an order could be a serious matter and an indication of a trick.
Conclusion:
People who use credit cards regularly must always be careful with them. Otherwise, they may land in trouble, since there are plenty of credit card scams out there. Therefore, all credit card holders worldwide are strictly advised to be aware of credit card frauds as this information could assist them in preventing them.
