Introduction: What is carding and why card usability is important
For educational purposes, let's first define the term "carding ." It's a slang term from cybersecurity and hacker culture that refers to the process of illegally testing, stealing, and using credit/debit cards for fraudulent purposes. Carders typically steal card data (through phishing, skimming, or the dark web), verify its validity with low-value checks, and then monetize it through merchandise purchases, transfers, or resale.In the context of carding , card convenience is not only about legitimate use but also the speed and risk of fraud detection. Premium cards like Amex Business Platinum or JPMorgan Visa (on the Visa network) are popular among carders due to their high limits, bonuses, and ease of conversion into cash/merchandise. However, Amex Business Platinum is objectively more difficult to use for carding than JPMorgan Visa. This is due to more stringent fraud detection systems, less network versatility, and increased attention to anomalous spending. Below, I'll discuss this in detail, drawing on common practices from cybersecurity reports (e.g., Krebs on Security, Verizon DBIR) and forum analysis (without encouraging illegal activity — this is to understand the risks).
Important disclaimer: Carding is a federal crime in most jurisdictions (in the US, it's 18 USC § 1029, with penalties of up to 20 years). This analysis is purely educational, intended to help understand how banks protect themselves from fraud and why legitimate users should be careful with card information.
The main reasons why Amex Business Platinum carding is difficult
Amex (American Express) is known for one of the most aggressive anti-fraud systems in the industry. Their proprietary network (not Visa/Mastercard) allows for real-time monitoring, making the card "toxic" to carders. Here's a detailed breakdown of key aspects:1. Network and universal adoption: High risk of failure and blocking
- Amex Business Platinum: The Amex network is accepted at only ~80–85% of locations in the US and ~70% globally (according to Nilson Report 2024). For carders, this means that when "testing" (attempting a small purchase to verify validity), the card is often rejected at the authorization stage. Amex uses geolocation and IP analysis: if a transaction originates from a "suspicious" region (for example, data was stolen in the US, but the test originated in Russia), the system immediately flags it. Additionally, Amex requires 3D Secure (Verified by Visa-like) more often, which complicates automated scripts.
- Carding practice: Carders spend time searching for "Amex-friendly" merchants (like Amazon or Walmart), but even there, the rejection rate is ~20–30% (according to reports on Exploit.in forums). If the test fails, the entire batch of cards can be blocked.
- JPMorgan Visa: Visa is a universal network (>99% adoption, according to VisaNet stats). Tests run smoothly even on small sites (eBay, PayPal). JPMorgan (Chase) has a fraud system, but it is less paranoid for low-value transactions; Visa allows "caching" through gift cards or peer-to-peer transactions without immediate flagging.
- Comparison: In carding, Visa is "bread-and-butter" (the main tool), Amex is "high-risk/high-reward" for premium accounts, but with a 2-3x higher chance of being banned after 1-2 tests.
2. Fraud Detection Systems: Amex as a "Carder Hunter"
- Amex Business Platinum: Amex invests approximately $1 billion annually in AI fraud detection (Amex FY2023 report). Their system analyzes:
- Behavioral patterns: Business cards anticipate corporate spending (B2B deliveries, travel). Anomalies such as five small purchases per hour from the VPN are flagged as "velocity checks" (too many transactions).
- Geoblocking: Strict rules for international spending; if the card is from the US and the IP address is from the EU/Asia, the cardholder will be automatically rejected and notified.
- Limits and verification: Automatic holds on $500+ purchases, plus SMS/app notifications. The business version includes additional receipts for EIN (tax ID), making it more difficult to counterfeit.
- Carding practice: Carders use "full" data (complete information: CVV, SSN, address), but Amex blocks ~40% of suspicious transactions in real time (Verizon DBIR 2024). After a ban, there's a permanent blacklist, and the data "rots" faster.
- JPMorgan Visa: Chase focuses on post-transaction analysis (FICO Falcon) rather than real-time. Velocity limits are more relaxed (up to 10 small expenses per day without flagging). Visa's global network distributes the load, reducing suspicion.
- Comparison: According to Krebs on Security reports, Chase cards are used in 60% of successful carding attacks, while Amex cards are used in only 15%, due to their fast detection.
3. Bonus, Limit, and Monetization Structure: More Effort, Less Reward
- Amex Business Platinum: Bonuses (5x on travel) are attractive for cashing out through ticket resale, but require $20,000+ in three months—unrealistic for a carder without "mules" (middlemen). Credits ($200 airline, $189 CLEAR) are niche and don't monetize easily (you can't buy gift cards). The $695 annual fee eats into profits if the card is banned quickly.
- Carding practices: Carders prefer to "dump" (sell data) Amex cards for less ($10-$20 each on the darknet) than Visa cards ($5-$10) due to the risk. Monetization through Amex Travel is flagged as "structured fraud."
- JPMorgan Visa: Easy 3x travel/dining credits, low threshold ($4,000 for 3 months). Easy cash out through the Chase portal or transfer to partners (Uber, DoorDash). $550 annual fee with $300 travel credit—a "free" buffer.
- Comparison: Visa allows "layering" (multiple transactions) for disguise, Amex does not, due to centralized control.
4. Legal and operational risks: Amex is more aggressive in its pursuits
- Amex partners with the Secret Service and Interpol (Amex Global Security Report) to track IP addresses and fullz. Bans lead to civil suits against cardholders, even if the card is stolen.
- JPMorgan Visa: More focus on recovery, less on prosecution of small carders.
Comparison Chart: Carding Ease (Educational Review)
| Aspect | Amex Business Platinum (Difficulty: Hard) | JPMorgan Visa (Difficulty: Low) |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance/Testing | 70–85% globally; frequent failures due to geo/IP | >99%; smooth tests on most sites |
| Fraud detection | Real-time AI, velocity/3D Secure; ~40% block rate | Post-analysis, soft limits; ~15–20% blocked |
| Monetization | Niche bonuses, high minimums; low resale value | Universal credits, easy cash-out; high value |
| Risks for the carder | Quick ban, legal prosecution; data "rots" within hours | Slow detection, recovery-focused; profit lasts longer |
| Popularity in practice | For "premium dumps"; 15% attacks (DBIR 2024) | Main tool; 60% of attacks |