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Why does card fraud exist?

Why Does Card Fraud Exist?

James avatar
Written by James
Updated this week

Visa highlights four key reasons:

1. It’s a Business for Criminals

Fraudsters treat scams like a job. They look for the easiest way in — targeting weak links in the payment system and exploiting gaps in consumer behavior.

2. They’re Tech-Savvy

Criminals are early adopters of AI and automation. They use these tools to scale phishing attacks, impersonate people with deepfakes, and run brute-force attempts to guess card details.

3. We’re All Human

Scammers rely on urgency, emotional manipulation, and impersonation to trick people. Whether it’s a fake call from “your bank” or a too-good-to-be-true offer, these tactics work — fast.


How Do Card Details Get Leaked?

Here are the most common ways fraudsters get hold of card info:

  • Phishing: Fake emails or texts that trick you into entering your card details.

  • Data Breaches: Hackers target retailers, banks, and payment processors to steal card numbers in bulk.

  • Malware: Malicious software on your device can capture keystrokes or screen data during online purchases.

  • Social Engineering: Scammers pose as trusted contacts to get you to share sensitive info.

  • Fake Merchants: Fraudsters set up fake online stores to collect card details without delivering anything.


How Visa Fights Back

Visa’s fraud prevention strategy is multi-layered:

  • AI-Powered Detection
    Visa has invested over $12 billion in fraud prevention tech, stopping $14 billion in suspected fraud in the U.S. last year alone.

  • Cyber Fusion Center
    A global monitoring hub that uses AI to detect and respond to threats in real time.

  • Scam Disruption Unit
    A specialist team that blocked $350 million in fraud in 2024 by shutting down scam networks and fake merchants.

  • Public-Private Partnerships
    Visa works with governments and banks to share intelligence and coordinate fraud prevention.

  • Consumer Education
    Visa encourages users to spot red flags like urgency, emotional pressure, and suspicious links — and to use tools like transaction alerts and strong passwords.


✅ What You Can Do as a Dosh User

  • Enable real-time alerts in your Dosh app to track every transaction.

  • Use biometric login for added security.

  • Lock your card instantly if something doesn’t look right.

  • Never share your card details via email, text, or unknown websites.

  • Report suspicious activity to our support team — we’re here to help.


Fraudsters are getting smarter — but so are we. With Dosh and Visa working together, you’ve got powerful protection in your pocket.

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