Stolen UK bank cards are being sold on the dark web for as little as £6.27 – about the cost of a pint in London.
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New research from NordVPN shows a worrying rise in online card theft, with the average price of stolen details jumping by 38% in just two years.
How big is the problem?
Over 1,800 British payment cards are currently up for sale on dark web marketplaces. That puts the UK fourth in the world for stolen cards, just behind the United States, Singapore and Spain.
Globally, the going rate for stolen card details is around £6.30, while Japanese cards fetch the highest prices at around £18 each.
NordVPN’s experts also found that nearly nine in ten stolen cards remain valid for at least a year, giving cybercriminals plenty of time to cash in.
Why are UK cards so popular with hackers?
There are a few reasons the UK is such a big target. We spend a lot online, use contactless payments everywhere, and save our card details across apps, stores and subscription sites.
That convenience makes us easy targets when data leaks or companies are hacked.
Recent breaches at major names like M&S, Co-op and Jaguar Land Rover have shown just how quickly criminals can get hold of customer details.
Once card data is stolen, it’s traded between hackers on the dark web, tested using small online payments, and then used to buy goods, gift cards or even holidays that can be resold.
It’s not just about how much we spend, either.
The UK’s strong currency and higher average income make our bank cards more valuable to overseas scammers.
A valid British bank card can be used across international platforms, meaning more chances for criminals to make money.
What can scammers do with your card?
Fraudsters often run small “test” transactions first, tiny charges to see if the card works. If it does, they’ll move on to larger or repeated payments.
Others might buy digital products, which are easy to sell on, or withdraw cash directly if the details include PINs or other access data.
How to protect your card from being sold online
While it’s impossible to stop every cybercrime, there are a few simple steps that make a big difference:
- Check your accounts often. Go through your bank and credit card statements weekly, and set up instant alerts for new transactions.
- Use strong, unique passwords. Avoid reusing the same password across accounts, and use a password manager if you need help remembering them.
- Don’t store details in your browser. If your computer gets infected, hackers could steal saved payment information.
- Turn on two-step verification. Adding an extra code or fingerprint check makes it harder for anyone else to get in.
- Use dark web monitoring. Tools like NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor can tell you if your email or login details appear in a data leak.
Skint Dad says:
If your card details are worth more to a scammer than a London pint, it’s time to take your online security seriously. Checking your bank app once a week could save you hundreds.
The bottom line
Online fraud is getting smarter, but so are the tools to fight it. Most banks now have excellent fraud protection, so if something looks off, report it straight away. Quick action can stop scammers from taking more and help the bank recover your money faster.
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