Understanding Carding: A Closer Look at Card

Fraud
Carding, a form of credit card fraud, involves the use of stolen credit card information to
make unauthorized purchases or acquire gift cards. Typically, carders obtain store-branded
gift cards with the stolen card data, which can then be sold to others or used to purchase
items that can be resold for cash. Individuals engaged in this type of fraudulent activity are
commonly referred to as "carders."
The Best Websites for Credit Card Shops and Brian's Club
The United States is a prime target for credit card fraud due to its large market with
widespread credit and debit card usage. In the U.S., cards often rely on magnetic stripes or
chip and signature technology, as opposed to the chip and PIN technology more common in
Europe.
How Carding Operates
Carding typically commences when a hacker gains access to a store's or website's credit
card processing system, obtaining a list of recently used credit or debit cards. Hackers
exploit vulnerabilities in security software and technology designed to safeguard credit
card accounts, or they may resort to using scanners to copy information from the magnetic
strips of cards.
Credit card information can also be compromised by accessing the account holder's other
personal information, such as bank accounts that the hacker has previously breached,
targeting information at its source. Subsequently, the hacker sells the list of credit or debit
card numbers to a third party, a carder, who uses the stolen information to purchase gift
cards.
Most credit card companies offer protection to cardholders against charges made if their
credit or debit card is reported stolen. However, by the time the cards are canceled, carders
have often already made purchases. These gift cards are often used to buy high-value items
like cell phones, televisions, and computers since they don't require registration and can be
easily resold. If a carder buys a gift card from an electronics retailer like Amazon, they may
use a third party to obtain the goods and then ship them to different locations, minimizing
the risk of being caught. Carders may also sell the goods on websites that offer anonymity.
Since credit cards are often canceled quickly after being reported stolen, a significant part
of carding involves testing the stolen card information to verify if it still works. This may
involve making card-not-present purchase requests online.
Special Considerations
There is a specific terminology and unique websites used by credit card fraudsters. Some of
these are discussed below.
Carding Forums: Carding forums are websites used for the ex https://brianclubs.cc/ card or
debit card account information. Fraudsters use these sites to exchange their illicitly
obtained data. Recent security measures like PINs and chips have made it more difficult to
use stolen cards in point-of-sale transactions, but card-not-present transactions remain a
focal point of carders and are widely discussed on carding forums.
Fullz: "Fullz" is a slang term used by criminals who steal credit card information. It refers to
the data package containing a person's real name, address, and a form of identification.
This information is used for identity theft and financial fraud. The individual whose "fullz"
is sold is not involved in the transactions.
Credit Card Dump: A credit card dump occurs when a criminal makes an unauthorized
digital copy of a credit card. This can be done by physically copying information from the
card or by hacking into the issuer's payment network. While the technique is not new, its
scale has expanded significantly in recent years, with some attacks involving thousands of
victims.
Preventing Carding Fraud
Businesses are implementing various methods to stay ahead of carders. Some of the
notable recent advancements include requesting additional information from customers
that is not easily accessible to carders.
Address Verification System (AVS): AVS compares the billing address provided at checkout
in an online purchase to the cardholder's record address at the credit card company. A
properly functioning AVS system can prevent non-match transactions if the card is
reported as lost or stolen. For address-only or ZIP-only matches, the merchant has the
discretion to accept or reject the transaction. AVS is currently used in the United States,
Canada, and the United Kingdom.
IP Geolocation Check: An IP geolocation system compares the IP location of the user's
computer to the billing address entered on the checkout page. If they don't match, it may
indicate potential fraud and trigger further investigation. Legitimate reasons, such as
travel, can explain discrepancies, but they generally warrant closer scrutiny.
Card Verification Value (CVV): A card verification value (CVV) code is a three or four-digit
number on a credit card that adds an extra layer of security for making purchases when the
cardholder is not present. Since it is physically on the card, it verifies that the person
making a phone or online purchase possesses an actual copy of the card. If your card
number is stolen, a criminal without the CVV will have difficulty using it.
Multifactor Authentication (MFA): Multifactor authentication is a security technology that
requires more than one method of authentication from independent credentials to verify a
user's login or other transaction. MFA can use two or more independent pieces of
information from the user's knowledge (e.g., a password), possession (e.g., authenticator
token), or inherence (biometric data).
Captcha: A captcha (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and
Humans Apart) is a security measure of the challenge-response authentication type. It
protects users from password decryption by requiring the user to complete a test that
proves they are human and not a computer attempting to breach an account. Captcha often
includes a random sequence of numbers and letters in a distorted image, which the user
must reproduce in order. Such challenges have been a roadblock for hackers. As a result,
alternative versions now employ pattern recognition systems (e.g., identifying blocks with
objects) that are easy for humans but challenging for computers.
Velocity Checks: Velocity checks examine the number of transactions attempted with the
same card or website visitor within a specified number of seconds or minutes. Typically,
users do not make multiple payments in quick succession, particularly payments so rapid
as to be beyond human capability. Velocity can be verified by the dollar amount, user IP
address, billing address, Bank ID Number (BIN), and device.
Examples of Carding
Carding usually involves purchasing gift cards, which are then used to buy other gift cards
that can be used for relatively untraceable goods. Often, these goods are resold online or
elsewhere. The information obtained in carding is also used for identity theft and money
laundering.
Resale of the Information: One of the easiest ways to utilize the data obtained in carding is
to sell it to others who will then employ it in various illicit schemes.
Money Laundering: In 2004, a prominent carding forum and an online payment system
frequently used by carders were found to have become a bank and transfer system
enabling money laundering and the processing of criminal funds. Under pressure to flip,
the individuals operating the payment site revealed a wealth of criminal names and
activities but were ultimately convicted for money laundering.