How to Identify a Fraudulent Credit Card

There are some extremely sophisticated credit card forgeries out there, but many will rely on the overall effect to clinch the deal.

The devil, as they say, is in the details, and this is where a fraudulent credit card can come unstuck, either through a lax attitude on the part of the forger, or a lack of high-tech machinery.

Here is a breakdown of the main issues to watch out for with fraudulent Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards. Other fraudulent credit cards will show the same or similar potential discrepancies.

Visa front of credit card

• The preprinted number must match the first four digits of the embossed account number and cannot be removed when scratched. There will be four small digits below the first four embossed numbers and these must match
• The expiration date must be valid. It must not have expired or show a date too many years in the future
• There may be a “V” for Visa. If so, it should be a stylized “flying V”, not a regular capital letter
• The account number should be properly and cleanly embossed
• Any hologram should be three-dimensional and the image must move when tilted

Visa back of credit card

• The word “Visa” should be repeated in blue and gold at 45 degrees across the white signature panel
• The account number, or part of, should match the account number on the front. This and any three-digit security code should be in reverse italics
• The signature should match the one offered

MasterCard front of credit card

• The preprinted number must match the first four digits of the embossed account number and cannot be removed when scratched. There will be four small digits below the first four embossed numbers and these must match
• The expiration date must be valid. It must not have expired or show a date too many years in the future
• There may be an “MC” for MasterCard. If so, it should be a stylized “MC” where the letters are merged, not regular capital letters
• The account number should be properly and cleanly embossed
• Any hologram should be three-dimensional and the image must move when tilted

MasterCard back of credit card

• The word “MasterCard” should be in red, yellow and blue at 45 degrees across the white signature panel
• The account number, or part of, should match the account number on the front. This and any three-digit security code should be in reverse italics
• The signature should match the one offered

American Express front of credit card

• The three- or four-digit card identification number cannot be removed when scratched
• The account number should be properly and cleanly embossed
• The expiration date must be valid. It must not have expired or show a date too many years in the future

American Express back of credit card

• There should be a wave-like pattern at 45 degrees across the white signature panel
• The account number should match the front
• The signature should match the one offered

Some credit cards are now issued with photographs, so don’t forgot to check that this matches the person holding the card. However, do not be too impressed by a matching photograph, as this might be intended as a distraction from other indications that it might be a fraudulent credit card.

Visit the ASIC website for information on protecting yourself against credit card fraud

Source: Credit Card Fraud – AFP

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