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How VCCs (Virtual Credit Cards) Work
VCCs (Virtual Credit Cards) are digital versions of credit or debit cards that are created for temporary use. They provide a unique set of data (card number, expiration date, CVV) that can be used for online payments without having to disclose the details of the actual physical card.VCCs are actively used for both legal purposes (protection from fraudsters, secure payments) and illegal activities (e.g. carding). Below I will discuss in detail the principle of VCCs, their advantages, disadvantages and ways of application.
1. Basic characteristics of VCC
a) Temporality
- Most VCCs are created for a limited period of time (ranging from a few minutes to a few months).
- After expiration, the card becomes invalid.
b) Limit on the amount
- When creating a VCC, you can set a limit on the amount of funds that can be spent.
- This helps control costs and minimize the risks of data leakage.
c) Disposable cards
- Some VCCs are created as single-use cards, meaning they are only valid for one transaction.
- After use, such cards are automatically deactivated.
d) Lack of physical media
- VCCs exist only in digital form and do not come in plastic form.
- They cannot be used for payment in offline stores (only for online payments).
2. How are VCCs created?
a) Through banks
- Many banks offer their customers the opportunity to create VCCs through mobile apps or online banking.
- Examples:
- Tinkoff Bank: Provides the ability to issue virtual cards with limits.
- Revolut, N26: Popular fintech companies offering VCC to secure payments.
b) Through specialized services
- There are platforms that release VCCs for different purposes:
- Privacy.com: Creates one-time virtual cards for secure online payments.
- Entropay (now closed): Issued VCCs for international payments.
- Crypto-to-VCC services: Some crypto platforms allow you to convert cryptocurrency to VCC.
c) Through hacker forums
- On the darknet and hacker forums, you can find offers for the sale of VCCs created on the basis of stolen data.
- Such cards are often used for illegal activities, but they are extremely unreliable and can be blocked at any time.
3. How are VCCs used?
a) Legal methods
- Real card data protection:
- VCC allows you to make online payments without revealing your primary card details.
- If the VCC data is compromised, attackers will not have access to real funds.
- Spending Limits:
- For example, you can create a VCC with a $50 limit for a service subscription to avoid unexpected charges.
- International payments:
- VCCs are often used for purchases at overseas stores where physical cards may not be accepted.
- Testing payment systems:
- Developers and testers use VCC to test the functionality of payment gateways.
b) Illegal methods
- Carding:
- Attackers create or purchase VCCs based on stolen data to pay for goods or services.
- Such cards are often blocked after the first transaction.
- Bypass restrictions:
- VCCs can be used to bypass regional or KYC restrictions on platforms.
- Withdrawal of funds:
- Some scammers use VCC to withdraw money from compromised accounts.
4. Advantages of VCC
a) Security
- The real card data remains protected even if the VCC is compromised.
b) Cost control
- The ability to set a limit and card expiration date reduces the risk of overspending.
c) Flexibility
- VCCs can be created for specific purposes (such as a single subscription or purchase).
d) Protection from fraudsters
- If a company or platform turns out to be a scam, the attackers will only have access to your VCC data, not your real account.
5. Disadvantages of VCC
a) Limited use
- VCC cannot be used for offline payments or where a physical card is required.
b) Blocks
- Banks and platforms may block suspicious VCCs, especially if they are created based on stolen data.
c) Commissions
- Some services charge a fee for issuing or using VCC.
d) Risks of illegal use
- Using VCC for illegal activities may result in criminal liability.
6. How to protect yourself from scammers using VCC?
If you are a business owner or individual, it is important to know how to protect yourself from VCC scammers:a) Verification of transactions
- Use monitoring systems to analyze suspicious transactions.
- Pay attention to transactions with VCC, especially if they originate from different geolocations.
b) Identity verification
- Require additional verification (e.g. photo ID) for large transactions.
c) Blocking suspicious cards
- If you notice multiple transactions with VCC, consider blocking them.
7. Conclusion
VCCs are a convenient tool for secure online payments, but they should be used with caution. For legitimate purposes, they provide a high level of security and control over spending. However, when used illegally, VCCs can cause serious problems, including criminal liability.If you would like to learn more about VCCs or discuss their use in specific situations, feel free to ask!