Uncompensated gray area, unnoticed… Surprising trap of new card fraud “spoofed banner ads”.

Credit card fraud continues to increase every year. Currently, the mainstream methods are “phishing” and “credit master,” but new methods have appeared this year. This type of fraud can be called “spoofed banner ads,” and while it is not a complete scam, it is an elaborate scheme that is sure to cause damage if left unchecked. What exactly is it?　Our experts explain what it is and how to prevent it.

Credit Card Fraud Damages Hit Record High

The amount of credit card fraud in 2011 totaled 54.09 billion yen, up 24% from 43.67 billion yen in 2010, making it the largest ever, according to the Japan Credit Association. The fraudulent use of stolen numbers accounts for 93% of all fraudulent credit card transactions, in which fraudsters steal important information such as card numbers, expiration dates, and security codes, and then use the cards by pretending to be the fraudulent cardholder.

To briefly touch on the two main methods of number theft, ” phishing” and“credit master ” are currently the two most common methods.

First, phishing involves sending fake e-mails or messages to users, claiming that there is a problem with payment or that the card is no longer valid, and directing them to a fake URL where they are asked to enter their credit card information to steal it.

In other words, although phishing is called number theft, users who are tricked into it leak their own credit card information. Therefore, it is possible to prevent theft by ignoring all suspicious e-mails and messages, and by avoiding going to fake sites.

What is “Credit Master,” a number theft that cannot be prevented?

However, “credit masters” cannot be prevented by users. Credit Master” is a method of generating real card information, such as card number, expiration date, and security code, by combining a myriad of numbers based on the regularity of card numbers. This technique has been around for a long time, but as computer data processing has become faster, it has become easier to use automated software such as “bots” to do the job.

Bots, which automatically generate credit card numbers, enter the numbers into shopping sites at random and try to find the real card information. If a real card is found, a third party can use the number to make purchases. If this happens, even a card that has never been used can be used fraudulently. In fact, there have been reports of unused cards being used fraudulently.

Unfortunately, there are no effective preventive measures against this cardmaster. Almost the only thing that can be done is Check your credit card statement at least once a week. Check your card statement at least once a week to see if there is any unauthorized use.

If you contact your credit card company when you become aware of unauthorized use, you will be compensated for the full amount of the damage up to approximately 60 days before the date of contact, unless the use was intentional or due to gross negligence on the part of the user. The sooner you discover unauthorized use, the better. These days, it shouldn’t be too much of a hassle, as it can be easily checked with a smartphone app.

Spoofed as part of the site Banner ads.” What is a “banner ad”?

The ” spoofed banner ads” type has been seen since the beginning of this year. As the name suggests, banner ads displayed on websites are the main entry point.

When viewing a website or smartphone application, banner advertisements frequently appear on the screen. In the case of normal banner ads, when clicked on, images or videos related to the product or service are played as advertisements.

However, in the case of “spoof banner ads,” users do not recognize them as banner ads. They assume it is part of the site. The reason for this is that the name of the product or service is not displayed at all, but instead only a large button for clicking with the words “Start,” “Continue,” or “Download.

The main characteristic of “spoof banner ads” is that they do not appear to be banner ads at first glance, but are “spoofed” as part of the site. The main feature of these “spoof banner ads” is that they do not appear to be banner ads at first glance, but rather are “spoofed” as part of the site.

If you are caught off guard by the words “free registration” and enter your credit card information, you may find yourself on ……

When clicking on this “spoof banner ad,” the user is asked to create an account with an e-mail address and, eventually, to enter credit card information.

Even at that stage, the user assumes that the procedure is to use the Web site he/she has been shown. In places, they are followed by explanations such as “creating an account is free,” “you can register for free,” and “your registered credit card will not be charged.

It is clearly stated that you will not be charged after registering your credit card information, but when you open the link to the Terms of Use, you are suddenly confronted with a lengthy English text. The “Terms and Conditions” states in English that “If you do not cancel during the 5-day free period, you will be billed a monthly fee of ●●●● yen “. By looking at this amount, most people know that they have fallen for a strange site.

Sites where free software can be downloaded are targeted

After hearing the explanation so far, many of you may be wondering, “Why would someone register their credit card information?” Many people may wonder, “Why would they register their credit card information as well? There are several reasons.

Spoofed banner ads” have appeared on all kinds of websites, including free video and game sites and business software management sites. The common denominator is “free software downloads.

For example, if it appears on a site where online file storage is available, those who want to use it may click on it without much resistance. So much so that it is displayed in an exquisite position and well designed.

You might think, “Didn’t you notice something was wrong when you were entering your credit card information?” If you are in a tight situation where you have to send a file in 30 minutes or modify a PDF in an hour, it is quite possible that you will give top priority to downloading the software and will enter your credit card information even if you think it looks a little strange. It is quite possible that you will enter your credit card information, even if you think it is a little strange.

After all, the site repeatedly claims that the service is “free of charge. Some websites ask you to enter your credit card information under the guise of “country of residence verification.

It’s Not a Scam! The Clever Mechanism of “Spoof Banner Ads”

There is an additional complication. Spoofed banner ads are a “gray” technique that is not 100% fraudulent. After all, the user clicked on the ad with his or her own will and entered his or her credit card information. On the surface, you agree to the contract.

The key point here is that it is possible to cancel the contract by taking the necessary procedures. In other words, the site is operated under the guise of an ordinary website, which is distinct from a scam (the contents of the site are often videos or game subscriptions).

In most cases, the contract is cancelled when the cancellation procedure is firmly completed. It is a clever system that cannot be dismissed as “100% black. However, it is difficult to cancel the contract. First of all, the support screen to apply for cancellation is very difficult to understand. Second, even if you can reach the support screen, you are asked to send an e-mail in English.

However, you should never leave it unattended. Even if you re-create the card, the billing may continue, and if you leave it alone, it may become more troublesome. We asked the credit card company directly, but they told us that it is “next to impossible to get a refund” because it is not completely fraudulent. They also said that the card must be re-created.

Using an English template for cancellation requests

So what do you do if you have fallen for a “spoof banner ad”?　In fact, the “Cross-border Consumer Center of the National Consumer Affairs Center ” provides specific examples of consultations.

The “Cross-border Consumer Center” is a consultation service for those who have encountered problems in transactions with overseas businesses. Among them, the case of “consultation regarding overseas billing for apps that claim to be “free”” is similar to “spoofed banner ads. First, let’s take a look here to get an overview of the problem.

If you have entered your credit card information, please refer to the Cross-border Consumer Center’s page on “Troubles with registration and billing for overseas pay sites triggered by winning a smartphone or other device.

There, you will find an English sample of how to request cancellation ([Sample of a Cancellation Request to a Service Provider (English)]). As soon as possible, use the sample to send a cancellation email to support.

We would like to put up an actual “spoofed banner image” to alert people in an easy-to-understand manner, but since this is still in the gray zone, we would like to restrict ourselves from receiving complaints of “obstruction of business” or the like.

If you just clicked on the banner, there is no problem as long as you close the site, so please be calm and deal with the situation. Please do not enter your credit card information.

Click here for the related page of the Cross-border Consumer Center of the National Consumer Affairs Center.

1_Consultation regarding overseas billing for apps that claim to be “free

2_[Trouble with registration and billing for overseas pay sites triggered by winning a smart phone, etc.