Carding is a complex and illegal activity that requires significant time and effort to master. This guide outlines the essentials of carding, including tools, techniques, and key considerations. Please note that engaging in carding is illegal and unethical, and this information is provided for educational purposes only to understand the mechanisms involved.
What is Carding?
Carding refers to the fraudulent practice of using stolen or counterfeit credit/debit card information to purchase goods or services from online retailers such as Amazon, Jumia, or Flipkart.
Who is a Carder?
A carder is an individual who uses stolen credit card details, often obtained from hacking, purchasing from illicit sources, or accessing dark web marketplaces, to make unauthorized purchases from online stores.
Tools and Requirements for Carding
To engage in carding, certain tools and resources are commonly used:
Computer or Laptop: A PC is preferred for security and reliability. While some carders use smartphones, this increases the risk of detection.
SOCKS5 Proxy: A protocol that routes network traffic through an intermediary server, masking your real IP address and displaying the proxy’s IP instead. This is used to match the cardholder’s location for successful transactions. SOCKS5 is preferred over VPNs as it does not leak DNS details, offering greater security.
MAC Address Changer (Optional): Modifies the Media Access Control (MAC) address of your Network Interface Card (NIC) to enhance anonymity.
CCleaner: A tool to clear browsing history, cookies, and temporary files to minimize traceability. Neglecting this step can lead to detection.
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) (Optional): Allows connection to another computer over a network for carding, providing an additional layer of anonymity by using someone else’s system.
Drop Address (Optional): A shipping address used for deliveries, ideally matching the cardholder’s country (e.g., a U.S. address for a U.S. credit card) to avoid suspicion. Services offering drop addresses can be used if no personal contacts are available.
Credit Card (CC): The core component of carding, typically including the card number, expiration date, CVV2 code, cardholder’s name, address, city, state, country, zip code, and sometimes a phone number.
Example Credit Card Format (fictional data):
Card Number
Exp Date
CVV2
Name
Address
City
State
Country
Zip Code
4305873969346315
05/2018
591
Dave Washington
201 Stoney Stream Path
Washington DC
MA
USA
01949
Types of Credit Cards for Carding
Each card issuer uses a unique starting digit for their card numbers:
American Express (AMEX): Starts with 3
Visa: Starts with 4
MasterCard: Starts with 5
Discover: Starts with 6
Card Types by Issuer
Visa:
Classic: Widely accepted for online and offline transactions, including ATMs.
Gold: Offers higher spending limits and greater financial flexibility.
Platinum: Typically has limits above $10,000 (though often maxed out).
Signature: No preset spending limit, a premium option.
Infinite: Highly prestigious with virtually no limit, but rare.
Business/Corporate: Designed for small to large businesses with varying limits.
Black: Exclusive, high-end card with no limit and a $500 annual fee.
MasterCard:
Standard: Equivalent to Visa Classic.
Gold: Similar to Visa Gold.
Platinum: Comparable to Visa Platinum.
World: High spending limit.
World Elite: Premium card with virtually no limit.
American Express (AMEX):
Gold: Typically has a $10,000 limit.
Platinum: Higher limits, often around $35,000.
Centurion (Black Card): Exclusive with limits of $75,000+.
Understanding BIN (Bank Identification Number)
The first six digits of a credit card number form the Bank Identification Number (BIN), which identifies the issuing bank. For example, a card starting with "486236" has a BIN of 486236. Websites like ExactBin or BinList can provide details about a BIN, such as the issuing bank, approximate balance, and whether it requires additional verification (VBV or non-VBV).
VBV, Non-VBV, and MSC
Verified by Visa (VBV): Requires additional verification, such as a password, date of birth, or OTP sent to the cardholder’s phone. Carders prefer to avoid VBV cards.
Non-VBV: Does not require additional verification, making it easier to use for carding as no OTP, SSN, or other details are needed.
MasterCard SecureCode (MSC): Similar to VBV, requiring extra authentication. Non-VBV cards are preferred for carding to bypass these checks.
Address Verification System (AVS)
AVS verifies the cardholder’s billing address against the address provided during a transaction. Carders must ensure the billing address matches the cardholder’s details to avoid transaction declines. Using accurate addresses is critical for successful carding.
Levels of Carding
Carding can be categorized into three levels based on the value and type of goods targeted:
Beginner Carding:
Involves low-value items, typically under $50, such as small phone bills or digital goods.
Suitable for those new to carding.
Intermediate Carding:
Targets slightly higher-value items, such as background reports or small physical goods like clothing, still typically under $50.
Involves high-value items, such as cellphones or laptops, often exceeding $50 with no fixed upper limit.
Requires greater expertise and caution to avoid detection.
Conclusion
Carding is a highly technical and illegal activity that involves significant risks. This guide provides an overview of the tools, techniques, and considerations involved. However, engaging in carding can lead to severe legal consequences, and ethical alternatives should always be pursued.
