Tracing Online Fraud
Web-Search ·
Can online credit or debit card transactions be traced to identify the person responsible? If so, what is the likelihood of successfully locating them?
Web-Search
Yes, it is possible to trace someone who used your credit or debit card online, but the likelihood of finding them can vary. Here are some steps that can be taken to trace credit or debit card fraud online:
-
Report the incident: The first step is to report the fraudulent activity to your bank or card issuer as soon as possible [1]. They will open an investigation into the matter.
-
Investigation by the bank: When you report the unauthorized charge, the bank may assign a team of investigators to look into the transaction [2]. They will analyze the transaction timestamp and IP address to verify if fraud has occurred [2]. This step helps rule out unintentional or friendly fraud, such as accidental purchases or a family member using the card without your knowledge [2].
-
Transaction timestamp and IP address: Investigators will analyze the transaction timestamp and IP address associated with the unauthorized charge [2]. If the customer ordered goods or services from an IP address in a different state or continent, geolocation data can be used to pinpoint the location of the fraudster [2].
-
Geolocation tracking: Credit card companies and banks use software to extract geolocation data, such as the malicious user's time zone, internet service provider (ISP), and exact location at the time of the fraudulent purchase [2]. This data is often shared with law enforcement, who can then request information from the ISP and other intermediaries to disclose details about the card user [2]. However, skilled hackers may take steps to hide their trail, making it challenging to track them down [2].
-
Investigating buyer's data and account activity: If location tracking is unsuccessful, investigators may look into other aspects that may hold information about the card user [2]. For example, analyzing the thief's buying pattern or tracking a delivery address [2]. However, it's important to note that despite these measures, credit card fraudsters are rarely caught [2].
Learn more: