BUSINESS
Credit Card Frauds
Credit card fraud is a very prevalent financial crime in India. What it is is when a person uses another’s credit card information without permission to make purchases, withdraw money, or do online transactions. In 2026, we saw large growth in digital payments, online shopping, mobile banking, and contactless card use. Also at that time, we saw an increase in credit card-related fraud cases.
Fraudsters today have a great many techniques at their disposal to steal card information. We see them go after people via fake phone calls, scam links, mobile apps, phishing emails, cloned cards, and online payment schemes. In most of these cases, what happens is that members of the public lose out because they, in fact, pass on OTPs, CVV numbers, PINs, or banking details without realising it.
Credit card fraud is when a person uses a credit card or gets credit card information to gain money illegally. It may take place online, in physical stores, via mobile phones, also we see it in fake websites. At times the physical card is stolen, also at the same time only the card info is taken and used without the card.
Fraud is a reality for all of us from the salaried professional to the student, the business owner and the senior citizen. That is why we all must be careful with our cards whether we are shopping online or in person.
Stolen Credit Cards
This is one of the oldest forms of fraud. If a card is stolen or lost and not blocked quickly, criminals may use it for shopping, fuel payments, restaurant bills, or ATM transactions.
Online Payment Fraud
Online card information is taken in which people do online transactions. Fraud which we see is of fake sites, fake shopping pages, and unsafe payment links that they get card information.
Phishing Scams
Phishing is a wide issue in India. We see that fraudsters are using fake emails, SMS’s, and WhatsApp links which pass off as that of banks or payment companies. They tell users to update their KYC info, report on account issues, or to collect rewards. Once the user sends in card info or OTPs the money is taken.
Card Skimming
In skimming fraud, criminals copy card data using a hidden device attached to an ATM or payment machine. The copied information is then used to make duplicate cards.
OTP Fraud
Fraudsters often call people pretending to be bank officials and ask for OTPs. Banks never ask for OTPs over phone calls, messages, or emails.
Contactless Payment Fraud
Many modern credit cards support tap-and-pay features. If proper safety limits are not set, unauthorised small-value transactions may happen if the card falls into the wrong hands.
Fake Credit Card Offers
Some scammers promise lifetime free cards, cashback offers, reward point conversion, or loan approvals. They collect personal details and later misuse them.
Do not share:
Use Trusted Websites
Only use secure and trusted websites for online payments. Before making payment, check whether the website address starts with “https”.
Turn On Transaction Alerts
SMS and email notifications which report on all transactions as they happen. Also they are useful for identifying any suspicious activity.
Block Lost Cards Immediately
If you have lost your card, report it to the bank right away and also block the card via customer service or mobile banking.
Check Bank Statements Regularly
Review your credit card statement every month. Even small unknown transactions should not be ignored.
Fraudsters today have a great many techniques at their disposal to steal card information. We see them go after people via fake phone calls, scam links, mobile apps, phishing emails, cloned cards, and online payment schemes. In most of these cases, what happens is that members of the public lose out because they, in fact, pass on OTPs, CVV numbers, PINs, or banking details without realising it.
What is Credit Card Fraud?
Credit card fraud is when a person uses a credit card or gets credit card information to gain money illegally. It may take place online, in physical stores, via mobile phones, also we see it in fake websites. At times the physical card is stolen, also at the same time only the card info is taken and used without the card.
Fraud is a reality for all of us from the salaried professional to the student, the business owner and the senior citizen. That is why we all must be careful with our cards whether we are shopping online or in person.
Common Types of Credit Card Frauds
Stolen Credit Cards
This is one of the oldest forms of fraud. If a card is stolen or lost and not blocked quickly, criminals may use it for shopping, fuel payments, restaurant bills, or ATM transactions.
Online Payment Fraud
Online card information is taken in which people do online transactions. Fraud which we see is of fake sites, fake shopping pages, and unsafe payment links that they get card information.
Phishing Scams
Phishing is a wide issue in India. We see that fraudsters are using fake emails, SMS’s, and WhatsApp links which pass off as that of banks or payment companies. They tell users to update their KYC info, report on account issues, or to collect rewards. Once the user sends in card info or OTPs the money is taken.
Card Skimming
In skimming fraud, criminals copy card data using a hidden device attached to an ATM or payment machine. The copied information is then used to make duplicate cards.
OTP Fraud
Fraudsters often call people pretending to be bank officials and ask for OTPs. Banks never ask for OTPs over phone calls, messages, or emails.
Contactless Payment Fraud
Many modern credit cards support tap-and-pay features. If proper safety limits are not set, unauthorised small-value transactions may happen if the card falls into the wrong hands.
Fake Credit Card Offers
Some scammers promise lifetime free cards, cashback offers, reward point conversion, or loan approvals. They collect personal details and later misuse them.
How to Protect Yourself from Credit Card Fraud
Do not share:
- CVV number
- OTP
- PIN
- Card expiry date
- Internet banking password
Use Trusted Websites
Only use secure and trusted websites for online payments. Before making payment, check whether the website address starts with “https”.
Turn On Transaction Alerts
SMS and email notifications which report on all transactions as they happen. Also they are useful for identifying any suspicious activity.
Block Lost Cards Immediately
If you have lost your card, report it to the bank right away and also block the card via customer service or mobile banking.
Check Bank Statements Regularly
Review your credit card statement every month. Even small unknown transactions should not be ignored.
What to Do If Credit Card Fraud Happens
- Block the card
- Report the fraud to the bank
- Change banking passwords
- Raise a dispute for unauthorised transactions
- File a cyber crime complaint if required
Safety Tips for Credit Card Users in 2026
- Keep your mobile number updated with the bank
- Use strong passwords for banking apps
- Do not save card details on unknown websites
- Avoid clicking random payment links
- Keep your phone and banking apps updated
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