DataBreaches.Net

Menu
  • About
  • Breach Notification Laws
  • Privacy Policy
  • Transparency Report
Menu

Cybercriminals Abuse Donation Sites for Card Testing

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Dissent

From the what-will-they-think-of-next department.

Researchers at GeminiAdvisory.io have an interesting report out this morning about how criminals use donation sites to see if stolen card numbers are working.

As a past victim of stolen card numbers, I am used to seeing fraudsters make small charges on the card just to see if it’s working. But I never really considered other ways to test, and one of them was a bit of an eye-opener to me.

According to Gemini Advisory, one method involves linking a card to an account on an e-commerce, social media, or other site. To link the card, the fraudster conducts a “transaction” for $0.00 that does not appear on the customer’s statement. The card is only linked—or “authorized”—if it is an active card. If the authorization is successful, fraudsters consider the card to be valid. I have to admit that I am impressed that someone figured out that checking technique, but that method may not work well because financial institutions now monitor for such testing activity and may flag the card number if they spot that type of attempt.

So demonstrating the rapid ability to adjust by coming up with yet another method, fraudsters also started using donation sites to check whether a card number was still working and usable. In this approach, the fraudster makes a small donation using the card, and if it goes through, the card number is usable. Small donations to not-for profits are less likely to around suspicion, and researchers found that a number of fraudsters were using the Red Cross site for that purpose. But other charities and sites have also been used for this purpose — including GoFundMe and Make-A-Wish.  In their report, Gemini Advisory provides a list of sites that have been used (or misused) this way.

So what are sites to do to protect themselves from winding up with chargebacks or other problems? Gemini Advisory writes:

The e-commerce site belonging to the merchant or charity can implement 3DS 2.0 on its online payment portal as extra verification, as well as other standard best practices.

But individual cardholders also need to be vigilant about monitoring activity on their card, and financial institutions also need to develop their ability to detect unusual activity related to charitable donations.

You can read the full report for more details at https://geminiadvisory.io/donation-sites-abuse/.

Category: Breach IncidentsOther

Post navigation

← UK: Second MOD data breach uncovered putting safety of Afghan interpreters at risk
Tracking stolen crypto is a booming business: How blockchain sleuths recover digital loot →

Now more than ever

"Stand with Ukraine:" above raised hands. The illustration is in blue and yellow, the colors of Ukraine's flag.

Search

Browse by Categories

Recent Posts

  • Almost one year later, U.S. Dermatology Partners is still not being very transparent about their 2024 breach
  • Oklahoma Expands its Security Breach Notification Law
  • Ransomware group Gunra claims to have exfiltrated 450 million patient records from American Hospital Dubai.
  • North Shore University Sleep Disorders Center employee charged with secretly recording patients in restrooms
  • When ransomware listings create confusion as to who the victim was
  • Rajkot civic body’s GIS website hit by cyber attack, over 400 GB data feared stolen
  • Taiwan’s BitoPro hit by NT$345 million cryptocurrency hack
  • Texas gastroenterology and surgical practice victim of ransomware attack
  • Romanian Citizen Pleads Guilty to ‘Swatting’ Numerous Members of Congress, Churches, and Former U.S. President
  • North Dakota Enacts Financial Data Security and Data Breach Notification Requirements

No, You Can’t Buy a Post or an Interview

This site does not accept sponsored posts or link-back arrangements. Inquiries about either are ignored.

And despite what some trolls may try to claim: DataBreaches has never accepted even one dime to interview or report on anyone. Nor will DataBreaches ever pay anyone for data or to interview them.

Want to Get Our RSS Feed?

Grab it here:

https://databreaches.net/feed/

RSS Recent Posts on PogoWasRight.org

  • Florida ban on kids using social media likely unconstitutional, judge rules
  • State Data Minimization Laws Spark Compliance Uncertainty
  • Supreme Court Agrees to Clarify Emergency Situations Where Police Don’t Need Warrant
  • Stewart Baker vs. Orin Kerr on “The Digital Fourth Amendment”
  • Fears Grow Over ICE’s Reach Into Schools
  • Resource: HoganLovells Asia-Pacific Data, Privacy and Cybersecurity Guide 2025
  • She Got an Abortion. So A Texas Cop Used 83,000 Cameras to Track Her Down.

Have a News Tip?

Email: Tips[at]DataBreaches.net

Signal: +1 516-776-7756

Contact Me

Email: info[at]databreaches.net

Mastodon: Infosec.Exchange/@PogoWasRight

Signal: +1 516-776-7756

DMCA Concern: dmca[at]databreaches.net
© 2009 – 2025 DataBreaches.net and DataBreaches LLC. All rights reserved.