Card Cloning: Meaning, Examples, & How to Prevent It (2024)

Unfortunately, it is likely impossible to eradicate card cloning fraud. Even now, criminals are finding ways to breach the most current card security standards. So the best approach when it comes to preventing card cloning is a comprehensive risk management strategy.

1. Use and invest in new card security technologies

New security standards like EMV chips and RFID technology make it harder for criminals to clone cards. The implementation of Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EVM) chips has been one of the biggest advancements in the fight against card cloning since they are safer alternatives to magnetic stripes. They use payment information that is encrypted to make it exceptionally difficult for criminals to clone cards, but EVM chips still have their vulnerabilities.

Even if their cards have EVM, people are more likely to use the magnetic stripe at POS terminals due to the familiarity allowing their credit card information to potentially be stolen. Also, a recent study from a security firm stated that cybercriminals have found a method to make purchases with a magnetic stripe card using data that was meant for EVM chips.

This gives insight to the upsetting reality that is: it is almost impossible to get criminals to stop cloning cards because they will always try and find a workaround, so this should be just one part of an effective strategy to combat card cloning.

2. Review transaction infrastructure

Companies, especially financial institutions, should periodically take stock of the points at which they take card transactions, such as ATMs and point-of-sale machines. They should secure these points to make it more difficult to clone cards.

For example, making sure that POS terminals are all EMV compliant as well as helping customers purchase things in a more secure manner are a few ways Merchants can help make it more challenging for criminals to clone cards.

Despite possibly being impossible to end card cloning, the combination of customer profile data, securing physical infrastructure as well as EMV chips can help banks and merchants be more confident that the cards that are being used aren’t cloned cards, but instead, are the actual, legitimate, ones.

3. Educate the public

Consumers should be made aware of how card cloning works, how big of a threat it is, and how they can protect themselves. Offer tips such as:

  • Check card readers for bulk or other suspicious traits before inserting your card
  • Monitor your financial accounts and set up suspicious activity alerts
  • Use ATMs associated with banks whenever possible
  • Use EMV chip readers or contactless payment whenever possible
  • Contact your bank or card provider immediately if you think your card has been cloned

4. Build customer profiles

Analyzing a customer’s transaction data – now often done through machine learning – can reveal patterns in how they use their card. These include:

  • Where they live
  • What businesses they frequently visit
  • Which transmission method (magstripe, EMV chip, or contactless pay) they typically use
  • How often they use their card
  • How much they spend, on average, per card use
  • What time(s) of day they tend to use their card

These traits can be used as a baseline for what “normal” card use looks like for that customer. So if a transaction (or series of transactions) shows up on their record that doesn’t match these criteria, it can be flagged as suspicious. Then, the customer can be contacted to follow up on whether the activity was legitimate or not.

Quickly Detect and Respond to Card Cloning Fraud with Unit21

Card cloning fraud can’t be stopped by new security technology alone. Preventing it requires a multi-faceted approach that also includes educating consumers, knowing who your clients are, analyzing customer behavior, securing vulnerable contact points, and keeping an eye on financial activity.

Equip your risk and compliance teams with Unit21’s transaction monitoring solution that puts them in control with no-code rule definitions and detection workflows. To see it in action, book a demo with us today.

Card Cloning: Meaning, Examples, & How to Prevent It (1)

Card Cloning: Meaning, Examples, & How to Prevent It (2024)

FAQs

What is an example of card cloning? ›

Credit card cloning refers to making an unauthorized copy of a credit card. This practice is also sometimes called skimming. Thieves copy information at a credit card terminal using an electronic device and transfer the data from the stolen card to a new card or rewrite an existing card with the information.

How does your card get cloned? ›

Card cloning commonly occurs after your credit card data has been stolen. Once a skimmer captures your card's unique information, it can be copied onto a blank card or overwritten onto another stolen card. The cloned card may then be used to make direct purchases, obtain a cash advance or buy money orders.

How does cloning work cards? ›

Card cloning, also known as credit card skimming, is a fraudulent practice that involves someone copying the information from the magnetic stripe of a credit or debit card. Fraudsters can then use this data to create a duplicate card to make unauthorized transactions.

Can cloned cards be traced? ›

The Role of Banking and Financial Institutions

This includes real-time monitoring of transactions, where any unusual activity can be flagged and investigated further. While it is possible to trace clone card transactions, it is always better to prevent fraudulent activities from happening in the first place.

What are 2 examples of cloning? ›

Some of the examples of cloning include budding and fragmentation which are natural methods of cloning observed in prokaryotic organisms. Examples of artificial cloning include Dolly, the sheep and Elizabeth Ann, the ferret.

What are some examples of cloning? ›

Then the embryo is implanted into an adult female's uterus to grow. In 1996, Scottish scientists cloned the first animal, a sheep they named Dolly. She was cloned using an udder cell taken from an adult sheep. Since then, scientists have cloned cows, cats, deer, horses, and rabbits.

What happens when your card is cloned? ›

Skimming or cloning cards is when the details of your card from the magnetic strip are put onto a blank card and then the card is used without your knowledge or permission.

What if I think my card has been cloned? ›

Contact your card issuer.

Once you're sure the purchases weren't authorized, report the fraud to your credit card issuer immediately. They can give you a new credit card with an updated account number.

Can someone clone your card from contactless? ›

Contactless Cards

Contactless payments offer increased protection against card cloning, but using them does not mean that all fraud-related problems are solved. All cards that include RFID technology also include a magnetic band and an EMV chip, so cloning risks are only partially mitigated.

Are cloned cards illegal? ›

Credit card cloning or skimming is the illegal act of making unauthorized copies of credit or debit cards. This enables criminals to use them for payments, effectively stealing the cardholder's money and/or putting the cardholder in debt.

Which cards are prone to cloning? ›

Credit and debit cards are both susceptible to cloning.

Can you mirror a clone card? ›

Mirrored Cloned Champions

Because mirroring a Clone and using on a Champion gets you a Level 16 Champion, it is possible to have these statistics in the game. Hitpoints are not shown since cloned Champions still have 1 Hitpoint.

Can a cloned card be used at an ATM? ›

Most credit card cloning fraud is done through the use of skimmers. Skimmers read credit card information such as numbers, PINs, CVV data through the magnetic stripe, and can be attached to hardware such as point of sale (POS) terminals, or ATMs, allowing them to steal whoever uses that hardware's information.

Do you get your money back if your card is cloned? ›

If someone makes unauthorised payments on your credit card, you're covered under the Consumer Credit Act. This means you should be able to claim your money back as you're jointly liable with your credit card issuer.

How long can you go to jail for credit card cloning? ›

a misdemeanor credit card fraud conviction is punishable by up to one year in county jail and a fine up $1,000 fine; a felony credit card conviction is punishable by 16 months, 2 or 3 years in jail and a fine up to $10,000.

How long do you go to jail for clone cards? ›

The penalties for credit card fraud in California can vary depending on the circ*mstances and severity of the case. On the low end, it is a year in county jail and a $1,000 fine. On the high end, it is punishable by up to three years in county jail and a $10,000 fine. Credit card fraud is also a federal offense.

Can your card be cloned using contactless? ›

Contactless security revealed

Since the chips are virtually impossible to tamper with or clone, EMV cards are infinitely less vulnerable to counterfeit fraud than magnetic stripe cards.

What is an example of a card processor? ›

A third-party payment processor is an entity that enables merchants to accept credit card payments, online payments, and other cashless payment methods without setting up their own merchant accounts. Examples of popular third-party payment processors include Square, PayPal, Stripe, and Stax.

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