10 Ways Criminals Get Debit Card Data › McClain Bank (2024)

Criminals are more organized and sophisticated than ever before. Attacks on ATM machines range from simplistic to highly organized efforts involving multiple ATMs across the country, hundreds of fraudulent cards and criminal gangs spanning the globe.

So, how do criminals get your customers' debit card data? Here are 10 different ways:

Steal cards

Attack sophistication: Low / Scale of attack: Small

The simplest way for a criminal to get card data is to steal someone's card. To get the PIN, the thief might shoulder surf or guess a weak password, such as a birth date.

Steal machines

Attack sophistication: Low / Scale of attack: Moderate

A criminal might decide to steal either an ATM or POS terminal. Cash can be pulled from the ATMs, but both types of machines could store card numbers if misconfigured. A stolen machine is also valuable in order to learn about weaknesses or ways to physically attack it.

Offline account takeover

Attack sophistication: Moderate / Scale of attack: Small

Breaking into mailboxes and stealing bank statements or other personal information can let a criminal conduct identity theft. Often they'll try to change the victim's mailing address with the bank, order a new card, and activate it. If the bank has good processes in place that are adhered to, then this type of attack can be stopped.

Separate skimming device

Attack sophistication: Low / Scale of attack: Moderate

If a deft criminal can get a hold of a card for a few seconds, then they can swipe it through a reader and get its data.

Overlaid skimming devices

Attack sophistication: Low / Scale of attack: Moderate

In this case, the criminal places a card reader over the machine's intrinsic reader. They might also attach a video camera or a pin-pad overlay to capture the PIN.

Internal skimming devices

Attack sophistication: Moderate / Scale of attack: Large

More capable criminals could place a skimming device inside a terminal, such as at a gas pump. The skimmer intercepts messages on the data lines, and is tough to detect without opening up machines.

Hijacked terminals

Attack sophistication: High / Scale of attack: Moderate

A terminal can be hijacked by replacing the operating system with a compromised one. An avenue of attack might be available for those ATMs with remote control capabilities that are left in the default (and insecure) settings. Stolen machines might also be modified and then used to replace an existing, non-compromised terminal.

Ghost ATMs and fake fronts

Attack sophistication: Moderate / Scale of attack: Moderate

Why add a skimming device to a real terminal when you can just use your own fake one? Criminals have been known to place fake, modified terminals in public spaces where victims will use their cards but receive communication error messages. In reality the terminal has captured card data and PIN, and stored it for later retrieval.

Buying the data

Attack sophistication: Low / Scale of attack: Moderate to Huge

With so many means of attack, there is a glut of card information on the market. Lazy criminals can simply buy card data, starting at $1 or less. Quality costs extra, but in the underground marketplace there are products for everyone.

Data breaches

Attack sophistication: High / Scale of attack: Huge

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). This has made it harder for criminals, but there are still many opportunities for attacks.

"10 Ways Criminals Get Debit Card Data." Verafin.com. Verafin Inc. Web. 8 Aug 2013

10 Ways Criminals Get Debit Card Data › McClain Bank (2024)

FAQs

10 Ways Criminals Get Debit Card Data › McClain Bank? ›

Accidentally downloading malware or spyware can enable hackers to access information stored on your computer, including credit card information and other details. For example, a malware attack might use a keylogger that records your keystrokes or browser history and then sends that information to a hacker.

How did hackers get my debit card info? ›

Accidentally downloading malware or spyware can enable hackers to access information stored on your computer, including credit card information and other details. For example, a malware attack might use a keylogger that records your keystrokes or browser history and then sends that information to a hacker.

How did fraudsters get my debit card details? ›

The fraudster may tamper with an existing payment terminal or ATM. They typically do so by hacking into it or inserting a skimming device. In rare cases, the criminal may modify an ATM and place it in a public place. Thinking it's real, the victim uses it and exposes their card information.

How do banks catch debit card thieves? ›

Once a potential fraudulent transaction is flagged, banks deploy specialized investigation teams. These professionals, often with backgrounds in finance and cybersecurity, examine the electronic trails of transactions and apply account-based rules to trace the origin of the suspected fraud.

Which of the following are ways a criminal may obtain cardholder data? ›

A common way criminals are able to obtain cardholder data is through Skimming. Skimming is a device that logs the card numbers as they are swiped through the payment card device, or key entered. Skimmers are more common on ATMs and gas pumps, but they can be inserted onto any card terminal.

How did someone get my debit card info if I never used it? ›

Identity thieves can retrieve account data from your card's magnetic strip using a device called a skimmer, which they can stash in ATMs and store card readers. They can then use that data to produce counterfeit cards. EMV chip cards, which are replacing magnetic strip cards, can reduce this risk. Spying.

What information does a scammer need to access my bank account? ›

The easiest way to become a victim of a bank scam is to share your banking info — e.g., account numbers, PIN codes, social security number — with someone you don't know well and trust. If someone asks for sensitive banking details, proceed with caution.

How did a scammer get my card details? ›

Scammers steal credit card numbers in a variety of ways, such as through phishing attacks, hijacking payment forms, intercepting public Wi-Fi, and more.

Can banks find out who used your card? ›

Bank investigators will usually start with the transaction data and look for likely indicators of fraud. Time stamps, location data, IP addresses, and other elements can be used to prove whether or not the cardholder was involved in the transaction.

How did Scammer get my bank details? ›

Also known as automatic withdrawal scams, these involve unauthorized withdrawals from your bank account — typically checking accounts. Scammers get access to your bank account numbers through fraudulent telemarketer calls or by stealing them from unsecured websites when you sign up for a free trial.

Do debit card thieves get caught? ›

Unfortunately, finding the people who commit credit or debit card fraud can be challenging. Often, even if the thieves get caught, the money is gone, and the scam artists don't have the resources to pay restitution. As a result, the financial institution ends up bearing the loss.

Can someone use my debit card without my PIN? ›

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.

Do police investigate debit card theft? ›

The police can then investigate the matter and potentially file felony charges against the culprit. If the thief is found and convicted, the judge can order that the thief pay victim restitution; or. Filing a civil lawsuit. The victim can sue the thief for theft and fraud.

How did someone get my card details? ›

Card details – card number, card holder name, date of birth and address –- are stolen, often from online databases or through email scams, then sold and used on the internet, or over the phone. This is often called 'card-not-present' fraud.

How is a debit card hacked? ›

Skimming occurs when devices are installed on ATMs, point-of-sale terminals and fuel pumps to capture data and steal cardholders' PINs. Scammers then use the information to make fake debit or credit cards.

Can you track someone who used your debit card online? ›

Unlike in-person (or card-present) fraud, there is usually no witness or security camera footage to track or identify the person using the card, so finding the culprit can be significantly more challenging. The first thing you must do once you spot a suspicious transaction is contact your bank.

How did hackers get my bank info? ›

Cybercriminals might trick you into entering your credentials on a webpage that looks similar to the bank's site but instead belongs to the attackers. Malware could be installed on your computer just by clicking a link and could capture your name and password as you type them via the use of a keylogger.

How did someone use my credit card without having it? ›

Card-not-present fraud can occur when a criminal obtains a cardholder's name, billing address, account number, three-digit CVV security code, or card expiration date. These details can be stolen electronically without obtaining the physical card.

Can someone access my bank account with my debit card? ›

Debit card fraud occurs when someone gains access to your debit card number—and, in some cases, personal identification number (PIN)—to make unauthorized purchases or withdraw cash from your account.

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