BBB Warns of 'Card Declined' Scam Targeting Consumers, Urges Vigilance
January 20, 2025
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued a warning about the rising "card declined" scam, which is tricking unsuspecting consumers. According to a report by USA Today, individuals shopping online have been receiving messages claiming that their transaction has been declined. So, what’s a shopper to do when they really want that item they're hunting for? Use another card, of course!
In this latest shopping scam, one user was charged $200, supposedly for a water bottle she was shopping for. She put in one card, which was “declined,” then another, and ultimately a third. All resulted in the card declined message. However, when she called her financial institution, she learned that her card was fine and nothing had been declined. But, she did give her payment card information for several of her cards to an attacker.
While it’s not possible to know for sure how this can happen, there are a few common ways.
- The website is fake to begin with and set up just to steal your information.
- You clicked a link sent in an email or text.
- You clicked on an advertisement you saw while browsing.
- And in some cases, scammers use overlays on top of legitimate websites to steal the information.
The BBB stresses that these scams exploit the urgency and fear surrounding declined transactions, making it easy for victims to act without thinking critically. To protect themselves, consumers are advised not to click on links from unknown sources. Instead, they should directly contact their financial institutions if they receive any suspicious messages. This is especially important if you are confused about why your card would be declined.
As scams become increasingly sophisticated, and they indeed are doing so with the increased usability of AI, raising awareness about such tactics is essential for safeguarding personal and financial information. Staying informed and vigilant is key in navigating today’s digital landscape.
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