Card Fraud

Credit and debit cards are a secure and convenient way to pay for goods or services or to withdraw cash. However, fraudsters continue to find ways to steal card details and use them for unauthorised transactions.

Most Irish and European issued payment cards now use “Chip and PIN” technology, which prevent fraudster from easily counterfeiting physical cards. However, in some countries where “Chip and PIN” has not been implemented, fraudsters can still use stolen card details for fraudulent ATM withdrawals or purchases.

Treat your card like cash and keep it safe at all times. A card with a PIN is very valuable to criminals, and card data can be used for unauthorised transactions or sold on the dark web. Contactless payments add another layer of risk, as fraudsters will attempt multiple transactions before you realise your card is lost or stolen.

It is also essential to protect your PIN – always shield it when you are entering it at an ATM  Point of Sale e.g. in a supermarket, carpark machine or restaurant.

Types of Card Fraud:

Counterfeit Fraud – Fraudsters skim or copy the data from a card’s magnetic stripe and create a fake card with the stolen details. These counterfeit cards are often used in countries without Chip and PIN security.

Card Skimming – Criminals use small handheld skimming devices at points of sale or attach skimmers to ATMs to steal card details. To maximise fraud, they often attempt to capture the card’s PIN number as well.

Distraction Fraud – Two fraudsters work together to steal your card after observing your PIN. This often happens at ATMs or retail checkouts, where one distracts the victim while the other takes the card.