Credit Card Phishing

    Phishing is a term used to refer to a variety of different types of online scams and cyber attacks in which the fraudsters pose as individuals or organizations in an attempt to lure their victims into divulging sensitive personal information. Cybercriminals have traditionally carried out phishing attacks primarily via email, but they can also use malicious websites, texts, and phone calls to phish for sensitive data.

    There are many different types of phishing attacks designed to trick you into giving up a variety of information, most commonly account login credentials, bank account numbers, and credit card details. Scammers particularly target older individuals, who may not be as tech-savvy and aware of online scams, for phishing attacks. Once the scammers get their hands on your sensitive information via a phishing attack, they can use it to make purchases with your payment cards, transfer money from your bank accounts, steal your identity, or sell it to others who will use it to do some or all of the above.

    Credit card phishing scams often involve scammers posing as your bank or credit card company and contacting you by email, phishing for credit card information. The fraudsters usually try to create a sense of urgency by saying there is some type of problem with your credit card, such as a security issue, and ask you for your card details and personal details in order to fix the problem and secure your funds.

    Scammers have gotten very good at making emails look like they are from a legitimate financial institution, and they often try to get you to click on a link that takes you to a fake website where you enter your sensitive financial and personal information. Credit card phishing attacks may also target you via fraudulent phone calls and texts claiming to be from your card issuer

Key Points

• Banks and other financial institutions will never ask for your credit card information unsolicited via email, by text, or over the phone.
• Always be wary of emails and other communications claiming to be from your credit card provider and double-check URLs, email addresses, and text for mistakes and inconsistencies.
• Contact your credit card issuer directly if you have any doubts about an email or other notification you received that appears to be from them.
• Don't click on unknown links or attachments in emails and don't enter sensitive information into unfamiliar websites or landing pages.
• Check your credit card account regularly so you know what the latest charges are and see if there are any issues or notifications — you're less likely to fall for scammers' lies this way!