Stolen credit cards and PayPal accounts are the Official hidden wiki most popular items for sale on the dark web. But criminals also sell other personal information, such as Social Security numbers and passport photos.

 

To prevent identity theft, use strong passwords and two-factor authentication, avoid accessing sensitive accounts on public Wi-Fi networks, and regularly review your credit report.

1. Cybercriminals sell stolen credit card data

 

With data breaches hitting companies large and small on an almost constant basis, crooks have access to lots of credit card numbers and account information. That’s why the cybercriminal underground markets specialising in stolen card data are constantly busy.

 

These illicit online marketplaces, which are also known as carding sites, sell stolen financial and personal data that threat actors use for various types of fraud, scamming and theft, including unauthorized transactions, purchasing prepaid cards, trading prepaid cards, stuffing credit cards, stealing and taking over accounts and laundering money. The online shops also sell tools that enable cyber criminals to commit these crimes.

 

Cybercriminals sell their stolen credit card information on these sites by posting the data in bundles that are priced according to their value and risk. For example, a dump is the least valuable and risky type of data, while fullz, which include the CVV codes on the back of credit cards, is the most expensive and highest-risk type of data. Moreover, some of these sites offer additional services that help cybercriminals with their frauds and scamming activities. These additional services may include software that can steal data from point-of-sale (POS) devices, as well as escrow services to hold stolen funds until the buyer receives their purchase.

 

To keep their sites hidden from law enforcement, the owners of these carding sites hide them on The Dark Web, which uses The Onion Router to anonymize Internet traffic. They also hide their identity by using a fake name and alias. Some carding markets even have a dedicated Telegram channel for communication with customers.

 

A recently unsealed four-count indictment charged the owner of one such dark-web marketplace, Try2Check, with access device fraud and computer intrusion, as well as attempting to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The service offered a service called “card-checking,” whereby cybercriminals could send in their stolen card data to a seller for verification. The seller then sold verified data to other fraudsters in the stolen card trade.

 

Buying and selling credit card data on the dark web is dangerous, but you can protect yourself by signing up for a VPN that comes with high-grade security and safety protocols. For instance, PureVPN has a no-logs policy and features IPV6 and DNS leak protection as well as an internet kill switch to ensure your online privacy.

2. Cybercriminals sell stolen debit card data

 

The cybercrime underground is a well-oiled machine worth trillions of dollars each year. On hidden websites shielded from law enforcement and most consumers, criminals buy and sell huge amounts of stolen credit card data and hacking tools to commit different types of financial cybercrimes. These include using stolen cards to make online purchases, stuffing or stealing gift cards, taking over accounts and laundering money.

 

Stolen debit card data is a popular commodity on the dark web, and it can be purchased in bulk for relatively low prices. For the price of a Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino Grande and cheese Danish, for example, a cybercriminal can obtain all the information they need to max out someone else’s stolen card. This is just one of the many shocking details dredged up from the dark web by Trustwave SpiderLabs.

 

Criminals can steal debit and credit card data by using malware to break into a company’s database, such as point-of-sale card skimmers or targeted Magecart attacks on websites. They can also purchase hacking software online from computer hackers operating out of Eastern Europe or Russia.

 

Once cybercriminals have this data, they can turn it into cloned cards to use for illicit transactions. These fake cards are ideal for shopping at small retailers where EMV chip and PIN systems aren’t in place. Criminals can even create cards with their own name, address and phone number to hide their identity.

 

When a criminal makes a purchase with a stolen card, they often buy electronics or store gift cards, which are more difficult to trace back to them. But they may also use the data to conduct unauthorized online purchases, such as a luxury item for personal use or a ticket to an event, or they might transfer the card’s funds to their own account or another account in their name.

 

Some criminals sell the data they’ve bought on the dark web or use it to create their own fraudulent credit card numbers. This process is called “carding,” and it’s a highly profitable trade for cybercriminals.

 

The most common type of stolen data sold on the dark web is credit card information, but there are other valuable items available as well. Passports, driver’s licenses, frequent flyer miles, social media and dating profiles and bank account information are all popular. The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to protect yourself from data breaches, including using a VPN with strong security and safety protocols, such as PureVPN.

3. Cybercriminals sell stolen gift card data

 

Cybercriminals hack into companies’ databases to steal card numbers and activation codes. This can be accomplished by brute force hacking methods, malware, or phishing attacks against employees of the company.

 

After the data is stolen, it’s sold on online illicit marketplaces where criminals purchase goods and services with the cards. Often, these marketplaces are a hub for reselling and repackaging stolen credentials for use in more sophisticated schemes, such as travel service fraud.

 

Unlike credit and debit card details, gift cards are easier for criminals to monetize because they don’t require identity verification at a bank or other financial institution. In addition, there are many different ways that hackers can monetize gift card data. One way is to purchase the cards and then sell them on third-party gift card marketplaces, such as Cardpool. Another way is to resell them on the dark web for cash.

 

To increase their chances of selling stolen information, some cybercriminals provide false documentation with the purchased credentials. This can help a buyer prove to a bank or other financial institution that they are the true owner of the stolen credentials.

 

One example of this type of fraudulent activity was observed by Gemini researchers in early 2021, when a hacker on a top-tier cybercrime forum offered to sell almost 900,000 gift card and payment card records valued at about $38 million. These stolen cards were all from major brands, including AirBnB, Amazon, American Airlines, Chipotle, Marriott, Nike, and Subway.

 

These types of illicit marketplaces have become so popular that new ones are launched on a near daily basis. A new market typically features a forum and a Telegram channel to support the transactions. Often, these online illicit shops are a goldmine for threat actors who can buy and sell stolen credit card data on an hourly basis.

 

To avoid becoming a victim of such crime, businesses should adopt a comprehensive cybersecurity program that includes deploying robust endpoint security technology that can detect malicious code and malware. They also should use strong passwords, encrypt all sensitive files and documents, refrain from using public Wi-Fi networks, place fraud alerts on their credit reports and review their banking and card accounts regularly to identify any suspicious activity.

4. Cybercriminals sell stolen prepaid card data

 

As cybercriminals ramp up their attacks against prepaid cards, victims should take steps to prevent the information from ending up in underground marketplaces. This includes using strong passwords, avoiding public Wi-Fi networks, reviewing credit reports, and putting a fraud alert on one’s account.

 

Criminals gain access to prepaid card data by committing a variety of crimes, such as hacking or skimming. Once they have the card details, they can sell them on a dark web market for a significant profit.

 

The number of these sites is growing rapidly, as more and more cybercriminals look to cash in on the lucrative trade in stolen data. A site known as BidenCash has risen to prominence as the world’s largest marketplace for stolen card data. The site offers cards from countries across the globe and also provides tools such as a CVV checker and dump generators.

 

These markets are a goldmine for threat actors who commit various crimes, including credit card fraud and money laundering. These online illicit shops feature a range of illegal products for sale, from credit card data to full cloned cards.

 

For example, a seller recently posted for sale a list of 2 million stolen credit and debit card numbers on a popular dark web market. The data, from cards stolen through point-of-sale skimmers, comes from the United States, Mexico, China, India, and more.

 

The information can be used for many different purposes, including cloning cards, executing card-not-present fraud on retail websites or making fraudulent purchases at offline stores. But buyers need to act quickly before consumers notice suspicious charges and call their banks, potentially leading to the cards getting canceled.

 

Cybercriminals use a wide variety of methods to get their hands on stolen card data, from malware to zero-day vulnerabilities in software applications or operating systems that vendors haven’t yet fixed. They also use data breaches, where hackers infiltrate company databases and steal data, including credit card information.

 

The quickest way for criminals to make money from the sales of stolen credit card and prepaid data is to sell the information in bulk. To do this, they usually require the buyer to provide proof of identity in order to verify that he or she is the true owner. This process typically involves submitting photos of the buyer with a document such as a driver’s license or passport.