The First Breach Of 2024: Transformative Healthcare; Data Stolen From +900k Victims
Banking services provided by Community Federal Savings Bank, Member FDIC. See if your address, email and more are exposed on people finder sites. “More and more darknet markets are closing down voluntarily,” said Tom Robinson, Elliptic’s co-founder. But he added, “There’s always the chance that it has actually been taken down by law enforcement, and they are posing as the site’s operator.” Tens of thousands of new cards were listed for sale on UniCC each day, according to Elliptic. Numerous countries across Asia, including Taiwan, Vietnam, India, Japan, and China, have been targeted by Chinese state-backed advanced persistent threat operation Mustang Panda.
The Dark Web and Stolen Credit Card Numbers
The dark web has gained notoriety for hosting illegal activities, including the buying and selling of stolen credit card numbers. This hidden sector of the internet is not indexed by traditional search engines, making it difficult for law enforcement to monitor. Understanding the dynamics of this illicit marketplace is crucial for consumers and organizations alike.
First of all, they look identical except for two different background colors. Also, the researchers discovered that debit cards were more common than credit cards, which is particularly worrisome since debit cards don’t have the same level of protections as credit cards. The infamous Carbanak/FIN7 cybercrime syndicate breached Saks and Lord & Taylor and is now selling some of the stolen credit card accounts on the Dark Web.
After hackers collect this info, they post it to one of the dark web marketplaces where it can be sold. The leaked data from the BriansClub hack showed that stolen cards from U.S. residents made criminals about $13 to $17 each, while those outside the U.S. sold for up to $35.70, Krebs reported. When hundreds or thousands are bought at once, that becomes a lucrative crime. With stolen payment cards, a cybercriminal can immediately make purchases under your name, or even drain your bank account.
The rise of the global digital economy fueled by advanced technologies, greater adoption and exponential growth of connected devices is introducing more security issues into the cyber environment. According to security analysts, the BidenCash dump contains card numbers set to expire between 2023 and 2026 and about 30% of the numbers have not been seen before on underground forums. The majority of the numbers are from the United States, and just a little over half of the collection is issued by American Express.
How Do Stolen Credit Card Numbers End Up on the Dark Web?
Forums such as RaidForums, Nulled, or XSS are just a few examples where stolen credit card information can be found. Darknet markets such as AlphaBay, Dream Market, and others operating on the Tor network, are infamous hubs for illegal transactions, including stolen credit card data. These markets often provide escrow services to ensure “fair” trades between sellers and buyers. Thousands of credit cards are stolen every day not from physical wallets, but via sophisticated schemes such as manipulated ATMs, phishing scams, compromised point-of-sale (POS) systems, and hacked webservers. Once stolen, these credit card details often end up on the dark web, an encrypted network hidden from the conventional internet.
This week, the cybersecurity environment continued to be rocked by the global MOVEit data breach. Various Stanford Health groups had information taken in the MOVEit event, up to 1.6 million patient records. The threat actors claim that at least 27% are still active, but it is unclear if that is true.
There are several methods through which credit card information becomes compromised and subsequently sold on the dark web:
Identity theft is a real and distressing crime that’s becoming a greater risk as more sensitive data moves to online locations. Digital startup PostMeds Inc. , operating as TruePill, is an online pharmacy service based in California. The company allows patients to compare copay pricing, get status notifications on pill orders, and request refills. The number of victims caused by the global MOVEit data breach continues to climb; Welltok has announced more exposures, this time from three more health organizations. We reported on Mr. Cooper—one of the nation’s largest mortgage providers—a month ago.
- Data Breaches: High-profile companies experience breaches where sensitive customer data, including credit card numbers, are stolen.
- Phishing Attacks: Cybercriminals trick individuals into providing their credit card details through fraudulent emails or websites.
- Skimming Devices: Malicious hardware attached to ATMs or point-of-sale systems can capture card information during legitimate transactions.
How Are Stolen Credit Card Numbers Used?
Once obtained, stolen credit card numbers can be used in various ways:
- Online Purchases: Cybercriminals make unauthorized purchases using the stolen details.
- Carding: This involves testing the stolen numbers to see if they are active and can be used for purchases.
- Resale: Some hackers will sell these numbers on dark web forums, allowing others to exploit them.
Pricing of Stolen Credit Card Numbers
The price of stolen credit card numbers varies based on several factors:
- Type of Card: Premium cards like Visa Gold or Platinum are often more expensive.
- Validity: Freshly stolen card details with high credit limits tend to be pricier.
- Quantity: Bulk offers on stolen cards can lower the price per card.
Protecting Yourself from Credit Card Fraud
While the dark web poses significant risks, consumers can take proactive measures to safeguard their credit card information:
- Use Credit Over Debit: Credit cards typically offer better fraud protection.
- Monitor Statements: Regularly check bank statements for unauthorized transactions.
- Enable Alerts: Many banks provide real-time transaction alerts.
- Use Strong Passwords: A combination of letters, numbers, and symbols can help secure online accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the dark web?
The dark web is a part of the internet that requires specific software to access and is known for hosting illegal activities.
2. How can I tell if my credit card has been compromised?
Signs include unauthorized transactions, receiving new cards you didn’t request, or being contacted by your bank about suspicious activity.
3. What should I do if my credit card information is stolen?
Immediately contact your bank to freeze your account, report any fraudulent transactions, and change your passwords.
- As NordVPN took into account political, financial, and card data to calculate the index, European countries and the Anglosphere topped the list.
- A credit card dump is the digital information stored in the credit card like name, expiration date, card number, and the bank info.
- Many websites where you shop or pay for services offer to keep your card on file.
- According to the leaked data, card information for sale on BriansClub showed a steady increase of inventory.
4. Can I prevent my information from being sold on the dark web?
While you cannot entirely prevent it, practicing good online habits can reduce risks significantly.
Understanding the implications of the dark web facilitates better preparedness against stolen credit card numbers and helps safeguard personal financial information.
