Methods that Prioritize Browser and Device Security
Two out of every five credit card frauds involving online payments occur through outdated browsers. Users who receive iOS and Android security updates 3-4 weeks late are on average 36% more at risk. 9% of users who forget to transfer their “previously saved cards” after switching to a new smartphone discover unauthorized payments made on that device afterward.
MacOS Safari users can be tracked in the background by websites during credit card entry if “private relay” is not enabled. Many users do not realize that their antivirus software license has expired after using it for more than 2 years, leaving them vulnerable to credit card keylogging attacks.
Smart Ways to Hide Credit Card Information
The average fraud rate for transactions made with virtual cards is 60% lower than for transactions where the physical card is entered directly. Some banks offer “use and forget” type virtual cards that can be used once; these cards automatically cancel themselves after the payment is made. Digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay send transaction-based token information rather than actual card numbers, so even if they are stolen, they are useless.
Some free “dark web scanner” services allow you to check whether your credit card information has been leaked to the Dark Web and can also send you email alerts. Some new-generation fintech banks based in the US assign a separate virtual card number for each transaction, and thanks to this system, physical card information is never stored in the system.
Avoiding Social Engineering Traps
More than 70% of credit card fraud does not start with the cardholder being “directly hacked,” but with them being tricked. Phone scams claiming to be from your bank caused £600 million in losses in the UK in 2022 alone. In a fake bank email attack in the US in 2023, 28% of victims clicked on the “urgent security update” link in the email.
Real banks or payment platforms never ask for card information via SMS; yet, every year, hundreds of thousands of people give away their information this way. Fake support pages spread on social media lure users into traps, especially with posts about “payment not received.”
What You Don't Know About Encryption and Website Security
Having an HTTPS connection alone does not guarantee a site's security; cybercriminals can also use HTTPS. According to a study by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 57% of websites involved in credit card theft scams have valid SSL certificates. Some fake shopping sites copy the exact designs of major brands and deceive users by using alternative extensions like “.co.”
Even if the browser displays “secure,” information entered into form fields can be sent to the server unencrypted. JavaScript trackers running in the background on pages where credit card information is entered can record mouse movements and keystrokes.
Enhancing Security with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Most users believe that multi-factor authentication only works on the login screen; however, some payment systems require separate authentication for each transaction. SMS codes can be easily replicated; therefore, data is much more secure for those using physical security keys (such as YubiKey). A US-based study found that the rate of card information theft among e-commerce users who use MFA was 91% lower than those who did not.
Some banks offer a second-factor authentication system that works with voice commands; for example, you may be asked to say “verify” aloud during a phone call. Apps like Google Authenticator offer the option to instantly lock credit card usage in most digital wallets; however, many users do not enable this feature.
Email, Device Synchronization, and Card Security
Your credit card information stored in your browser may also be accessible on other devices synced with the same Google account — it is critical to delete old devices. Most users are unaware that information such as the last four digits of their credit card number may be stored in old reservation confirmations or invoices in their email inbox. In email services like Gmail, browser extensions with bots running in the background may have the ability to collect financial data from email content.
A smart TV or old tablet connected to the same Wi-Fi network at home can access login information through browser history, even if it is not synced. In a 2023 digital security test in Canada, 22% of IoT (Internet of Things) devices on home networks were able to send unauthorized connections to platforms that process credit card information.
The Hidden Risks of Using Open Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi networks in public areas such as airports, hotels, and libraries are the most vulnerable to “man-in-the-middle” attacks due to unencrypted data traffic. Free Wi-Fi offered at many coffee chains in the US can redirect users to fake pages that look like shopping pages after they log in. Some scammers create fake networks with the same name as the real Wi-Fi network (e.g., “Starbucks_WiFi_Free”) and all traffic goes to this fake network.
Using a VPN is not only important for hiding your location; it is also vital for ensuring that credit card information is transmitted over the network in an encrypted format. Forty percent of users who do not use a VPN have been exposed to at least one fraud attempt within a year of making an online purchase over public Wi-Fi.
New Generation Tactics in Credit Card Fraud
Fraudsters are now cloning not only card numbers, but also behavioral data such as device fingerprints, screen resolution, and mouse movements. Automated software called “card testing bots” test the validity of cards by making small fake purchases. Once victims' card information ends up on the Dark Web, it is often used to target them again with fake order confirmations via email or phone.
Some fraudulent sites offer users a second chance via a fake interface after failing 3D Secure verification—this is actually the screen where all information is stolen. Most fraud involving stolen card information in mobile apps occurs through financial apps available on the App Store or Google Play that appear “harmless.”
Protect Yourself by Changing Your Shopping Habits
Instead of using the same card every time, creating separate cards for different types of spending (e.g., only for digital subscriptions) prevents data leaks from spreading. It is safer to use your credit card on platforms with a two-step account creation process rather than on sites that only require email address verification. Before making a transaction on sites that rush you with campaigns, checking the domain name history with services such as Whois can prevent potential fraud.
Even on large sites like Amazon, there are risks associated with “third-party sellers”; you should check not only the seller's past reviews but also how long they have been active. Some banks in the UK and US automatically insure purchases made in certain categories, such as travel or healthcare expenses.
You Can Start Protecting Yourself Even Before Your Card Is Stolen
Some banks offer advanced instant notification systems that alert users of transactions made below a certain limit—but most users keep this feature turned off. Letting your bank know your travel plans before you leave the country can prevent artificial intelligence from blocking your card for no reason by filtering out unusual transactions. Some card providers will “suspend” any suspicious transactions made with your card without your knowledge and send you a notification; during this process, the payment is not sent to the other party.
“Card not present” transactions (i.e., online payments where the card is not physically present) account for 85% of fraud—separate limits can be set for these transactions. Most new-generation mobile banking apps allow you to change your card number instantly; with a single click, the current number can be deactivated.
Password Management and the Hidden Risk of Browser Extensions
The most common thing that can directly lead to your credit card information being stolen is passwords associated with financial sites that are synchronized among passwords saved in your browser. Some password managers (especially free ones) can be exposed to trackers running in your browser; if the “local encryption” feature is not enabled, your information may be at risk. If automatic card information filling is enabled in Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, unintended data submission to fake forms can occur — this is known as “formjacking.”
Shopping coupon extensions running in the browser can read page structures in the background to identify payment forms; some share this data with third parties for commercial analysis. According to a study, 61% of users in the US unknowingly allow third-party extensions to analyze payment pages.
Advanced Risks for Enterprise Users
When company employees use company cards for personal purchases, it not only creates a security vulnerability, but also signals potential fraud — some banks flag this behavior as a “suspicious habit.” Card information entered on devices that do not use a corporate VPN can be easily tracked, especially on networks shared with external contractors. Some fake software updates target B2B e-commerce platforms in particular and steal data using external iframes that appear to be genuine on the payment screen.
In a test conducted in the US, 42% of more than 1,000 small businesses did not use any security protocols when employees made online purchases with corporate credit cards via their personal email addresses.
Social Statistics Related to Security Awareness
68% of online credit card fraud victims realize what has happened within 24 hours of the first fraudulent transaction — more than enough time for fraudsters to act. 30% of users continue to use the same passwords and card details on different websites even after experiencing fraud.
A UK-based analysis found that users over the age of 55 are more likely to be scammed because they believe single-click payment systems are more secure. Younger users, on the other hand, tend to disable some security features on their cards because they trust excessive security — which creates new areas of risk.
Psychological Resilience Against Card Fraud
According to British financial psychology research, users who fall victim to fraud find it difficult to make card purchases again within the first week due to the stress they experience. Some banks use a “mental reframing” technique by sending victims a “completely new card design” to reduce this psychological impact.
One of the most common feelings after credit card fraud is “shame” — which is why many users do not report it; this is what fraudsters rely on the most. In the US, there are some special support groups for victims of card fraud; these groups are also an important resource for promoting security habits.
Key Takeaways
Using multiple cards is not only about distributing limits for security, but also about creating a “layer of awareness” for data tracking. Instead of manually checking card transactions, notification systems with the “alert only if accessed from outside” option work much more efficiently.
In developed countries, banks automatically calculate fraud scores for certain product categories (e.g., crypto, gambling, micro-transactions); this score can even block certain purchases without your knowledge. Using a debit card instead of a credit card for online shopping is more dangerous because the refund process is more complicated and slower in case of fraud. Protecting your credit card is not just your responsibility; it requires the security of the internet network you are connected to, the devices you use, the platforms where you shop, and your overall behavior.