How do people steal credit card numbers?

With millions of credit card transactions happening daily, the threat of having your number stolen is more real than ever. Whether you’re shopping online or grabbing a coffee at your favorite spot, understanding how thieves operate can help you take the necessary precautions to protect your money—and your identity.

 1. Stealing wallets or credit cards

It’s a classic method—steal a wallet, and you’ve got instant access to credit cards. But what many people don’t realize is that card numbers can also be stolen by someone close to you, in cases of familial fraud. Whether it’s a pickpocket on the street or someone with access to your home, the result can be the same.

How to protect yourself: Always report a lost or stolen card immediately and set up alerts for any unusual spending.

2. Dumpster diving for account details

Yes, criminals still go through trash looking for bank statements, lost wallets, bills, or credit card offers. Mail theft is also common—stealing account details before they even reach your mailbox. Without proper shredding, sensitive documents could easily give a thief everything they need.

How to protect yourself: Shred all financial documents before throwing them out and monitor your mail for anything suspicious.

3. Placing card skimmers and shimmers on ATMs

Thieves install skimmers (devices that read card data) and shimmers (tiny chips that steal data from newer EMV cards) on ATMs or gas station card readers. These devices capture your card’s information without you even knowing.

How to protect yourself: Always inspect the card slot and keypad before using an ATM and avoid using machines in low-traffic areas.

4. Sending phishing links

Cybercriminals often trick people into entering their credit card details on fake websites by sending phishing links via email or text (sometimes referred to as *smishing*). These links may lead to malware downloads or websites designed to steal your information.

How to protect yourself: Never click on unfamiliar links, and always verify the sender’s identity before taking action.

5. Installing malware on devices

Malware can be installed on your device through suspicious downloads, pop-ups, or phishing scams. Once installed, this software can track your keystrokes or gain access to your saved credit card information.

How to protect yourself: Use trusted antivirus software and avoid downloading anything from unreliable sources.

6. Buying credit card numbers off the dark web

Stolen credit card numbers are often sold on the dark web for as little as $5. These numbers come from data breaches, phishing attacks, or skimmers. Criminals then use these stolen numbers for online purchases.

How to protect yourself: Regularly monitor your credit reports and bank statements for any unauthorized activity.

7. Stalking activity on public Wi-Fi networks

Public Wi-Fi networks are usually not encrypted, which allows hackers to easily intercept your data. This kind of network is typical for hackers to monitor your activity and capture your credit card number during transactions.

How to protect yourself: Use a VPN when accessing public Wi-Fi to encrypt your data and keep hackers at bay.

8. Intercepting contactless payments

With contactless payments, thieves can use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to skim your card’s information if they’re close enough to the card reader.

How to protect yourself: Use RFID-blocking wallets or cases to shield your cards from unauthorized scans.

9. Documenting your payment details

Sometimes, the person stealing your card information is right in front of you. Through a method called shoulder surfing, people simply can look over your shoulder and memorize your card details during a transaction and record your information for later use.

How to protect yourself: Keep an eye on your card during transactions and cover the keypad when entering PINs.

10. Skimming information from fake online forms

Criminals can steal your credit card numbers through formjacking—the practice of creating fake online forms to capture sensitive information. These forms may appear on legitimate-looking websites but are designed solely to steal your data.

How to protect yourself: Only enter your payment details on trusted, secure websites.

Keep criminals from racking up credit card charges

With so many ways for thieves to steal your credit card information, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant. Taking proactive steps to safeguard your financial data can save you from the hassle of dealing with fraud down the road.

Join LifeLock Total to get a range of features that can help you protect against the risk of credit card fraud, including bank and credit card alerts that make it easier to spot fraudulent charges. Early detection is key to stopping criminals before they cause serious damage.

FAQs about stolen credit cards

What happens if I lost my credit card, and someone used it?

You should report the loss to your card issuer immediately. Most companies will reverse unauthorized charges if reported in a timely manner.

How did someone use my credit card without having it?

This can happen if they’ve stolen your card number through one of the methods mentioned above, such as skimming or phishing.

How is credit card theft proven?

Credit card theft is typically proven through evidence of unauthorized transactions, often identified by the cardholder or through the bank's fraud detection systems.