: Scammers make a purchase with a stolen credit card and then return the item, requesting the refund be placed on a gift card. This converts the stolen credit line into a legitimate, untraceable store credit.
: Some criminals take physical cards from retail racks, remove the preprinted numbers, and emboss them with stolen credit card information. They then damage the magnetic stripe so a cashier must manually "key in" the transaction, effectively using the stolen credit card as if it were the gift card. buying gift cards with stolen credit cards
: Fraudsters use the cards to buy popular electronics (like iPads or iPhones) that can be easily resold for nearly 95% of their retail value. : Scammers make a purchase with a stolen
: Cards are sold on marketplaces or the dark web at a discount (often 60–80% of face value) for cryptocurrency or cash. They then damage the magnetic stripe so a
: Stolen gift cards are typically used or resold on the same day they are purchased to stay ahead of bank disputes and chargebacks. Monetization and Resale
Criminals use stolen credit card data to purchase gift cards through several specific methods: