what type of credit card fraud is the most common?
The most common type of credit card fraud today is card‑not‑present (CNP) fraud —fraudulent transactions where the physical card is not used, typically in online, phone, or mail‑order purchases.
Quick Scoop
What “card‑not‑present” fraud means
- CNP fraud happens when criminals use stolen card details (number, expiry, CVV, sometimes billing address) to make payments without ever touching the physical card.
- This usually occurs through e‑commerce sites, apps, subscription services, or phone orders where merchants can’t verify a chip, PIN, or physical signature.
Why this is the most common now
- Online shopping, food delivery, ride‑sharing, and subscription platforms have exploded in the last few years, massively increasing the volume of CNP transactions.
- Security measures like EMV chips made in‑person (card‑present) fraud harder, pushing criminals toward easier online channels, where verifying identity is more challenging.
How criminals usually get the card details
- Data breaches at retailers or payment processors can leak millions of card numbers, which are then sold or traded on underground markets.
- Phishing, smishing, and fake login pages trick people into entering card numbers and one‑time passwords, handing over everything needed for CNP fraud.
Other common fraud types (but less dominant)
- Skimming: devices on ATMs or gas pumps copy card data, later used to make cloned cards.
- Account takeover: criminals hijack an existing online card account by changing passwords, PINs, or contact details, then spend freely.
Quick protection checklist for you
- Use virtual card numbers or one‑time card details for online purchases when your bank offers them.
- Turn on real‑time transaction alerts so you see any suspicious online charge instantly and can report it fast.
- Be skeptical of emails/texts asking you to “verify” payments or update card details; go directly to the official app or site instead of clicking links.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.