Credit card testing attacks are one of the most common types of fraud, and they’re evolving fast. Keep reading to learn how your nonprofit can overcome this type of payment fraud, and what to do if you suspect any malicious activity.
An alarming 62 million Americans had fraudulent charges on their credit and debit cards in 2024.
Card testing attackers often target nonprofits with online donation forms, since many don’t ask for much personal information to verify transactions.
In this article, we share how nonprofits like yours can combat credit card testing attacks and how Donorbox protects organizations against cybersecurity risks.
A credit card testing attack occurs when a fraudster tests stolen credit card information by conducting a series of small transactions through legitimate payment terminals, like an online donation form.
If a spam donation is successful, fraudsters proceed to make larger purchases or resell the valid card information on the illegal market.
Credit card testing attacks are often overlooked by cardholders and fraud detection systems, which tend to focus on larger, more suspicious transactions.
Here’s how credit card testing attacks can cause considerable damage to your nonprofit organization:
These red flags could mean your donation form is being targeted by card testers:
If you suspect your nonprofit may be a victim of credit card testing attacks, contact your fundraising platform’s security or support team immediately.
Robust fundraising platforms like Donorbox have dedicated security teams who ensure the highest level of protection for nonprofits like yours.
Once you’ve contacted your fundraising platform’s security or support team, here’s what else you can do:
Make sure that your fundraising platform follows the highest security standards and leverages fraud prevention tools specifically designed to protect nonprofit organizations and donors.
At Donorbox, we take fraud prevention seriously and follow industry-leading security standards – so you can stay focused on your mission and the impact you’re making in your community.
Here’s how we keep nonprofits that use Donorbox protected:
These are just a few of the powerful fraud prevention tools we use to protect your data and give supporters a safe, trustworthy donation experience. Explore all our fraud prevention features in this blog post.
Having the right tools in place and a solid fundraising partner helps secure your donation forms and safeguard donor data.
Bonus resource: Discover expert strategies to protect your nonprofit against cyber threats in this video:
Credit card testing attacks can result in serious financial damage and operational disruption for nonprofits.
Choosing a secure fundraising platform means less worry about fraud – and more time to focus on raising the funds that fuel your mission.
At Donorbox, we’re committed to creating powerful and secure fundraising features and staying updated with the latest security standards – so nonprofits like yours can fundraise smarter and safer.
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Jamy-Lee Holt