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Card-Not-Present Fraud: What It Is and How It Works

A customer pays for a purchase with a credit card.

Erik Isakson / Getty Images

Card-Not-Present Fraud: What Is It?

Card-n🗹ot-present fraud is a type of credit card scam in which the customer does not physically present the card to the merchant during the tr🦋ansaction. This type of fraud typically occurs with online or phone transactions where only the credit card details are provided.

Card-not-present fraud can be difficult to detect because the merchant cannot personally examine the credit card for signs of possible fraud, such as a missing hologram or altered account number. However, the merchant caꦆn take some steps to try to minimize the risk of card-not-present fraud, such as by verifying a user's mailing address associated with the card or using biometrics like fingerprints.

Nearly half of Americans have been the victim of digital payment fraud. Learn how it works and ways to prevent it.

Key Takeaways

  • Card-not-present fraud is a scam in which someone attempts to make a fraudulent credit card transaction with a credit card they don't own or have in their possession.
  • This type of fraud is most common in online purchases or phone transactions where only credit card details are needed.
  • The rise of online shopping has contributed to an increase in card-not-present fraud incidents.
  • To combat this type of fraud, many online merchants now require the CVV number to validate you have the card.

How Card-Not-Present Fraud Works

Credit card payment pro♉cessors take a number of steps to minimize card-not-present fraud. These include verifying that the address provided by the customer at the time of purchase matches the billing address on file with the cr🐽edit card company, checking the validity of three-digit CVV security codes, and prohibiting merchants from storing these codes.

However, if the criminalꦐ has stolen these d🌟etails, the fraudulent transaction may appear legitimate.

Card-not-present fraud can occur when a criminal obtains a cardholder’s name, billing address, account number, three-digit 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:CVV security code, or card expiration date. These details can be 𒁃stolen electronically without obtaining the physical card.

Important

The theft of credit card data for use in card-not-present fraud most commonly occurs through online phishing or through theft of a customer's credit card information by dishonest 💫employees. It also occurs less commonly through merchant database hacks.

When card-not-present fraud occurs, the merchant bears the loss. This type of fraud can have a significant impact on the merchant’s bottom line, especially for retail ꦰestablishments, which tend to hav﷽e smaller profit margins.

By contrast, in card-present fraud, the credit card issuer usually bears the loss, not the merchant. Under credit🃏 card terms and conditions, the credit card issuer will not hold the cardholder liabღle for any fraudulent charges, whether through card-present or card-not-present fraud.

Detecting Card-Not-Present Fraud

Sophisticated technology can help detect many instances of attempted card-not-present fraud. For example, credit card companies have methods of detec𝓰ting credit card purchases that are likely fraudulent given the accountholder’s typical🍨 card usage.

Merchants can take steps like using biometric information like fingerprints or voice patterns to try to detect card-not-present fraud. They can also try to confirm theᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ identity of a cardholder by using personal ꧒information like a mailing address.

However, they cannot easily detect 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:online shoplifting or friendly fraud. In this scenario, the criminal will make a purchase online or by phone, receive the merchandise, and then 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:file a dispute with the credit card issuer saying that the merchandise is inferior or that it never arrived. The issuer initiates a chargeback and the merchant has to refund the dishonest customer.

Is Card-Not-Present Fraud the Same As Card Fraud?

Card-not-present fraud is a type of credit card fraud in which the criminal uses the n𝄹umbers of your credit card to make purchases online, by mail, or over the phone. In these cases, they do ಞnot have to present the physical card to a merchant.

How Do You Detect Card-Not-Present Fraud?

One way a merchant can detect card-not-present fraud is to use an 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Address Verification System. With this strategy, the merchant can cross check a customer's address with the address associated with the credit card to help confirm the card belongs to the buyer.

How Can Someone Use Your Card Without Having It?

A criminal can use the numbers on your credit card, including the account number and expiration date, to make purchases online or over the telephone. Criminals can even use your 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:debit card without physically having it.

The Bottom Line

Card-not-present fraud is a danger that can threaten your personal finances and personal identity. Merchants can work to prevent this type of fraud in a few ways, including by using biometrics for identification or verifying an identity with information like a mailing address.

Monitor your credit and credit card statements regularly and look for any signs of fraud, such as purchases you didn't make. If you believe you've been a victim of card-not-present fraud, contact your credit card company immediately.

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  1. National Association of Federally Insured Credit Unions. "."

  2. Seon. "."

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