“card declined” message could be a sign of a scam

Rob Gilbert recently thought he was shopping for a few items online for himself and a few gifts for his upcoming Mother’s Day after clicking on an online ad for a major retailer.

But when Gilbert went to check, he got a “card declined” message.

He didn’t think much of it. It was a new card and he forgot the three digit code on the back. Instead, he used his debit card number, which was stored on his phone, to make the purchase.

But it turns out the Fort Collins, Colorado man’s card wasn’t declined after all.

It was a scam.

Both cards were used almost immediately for fraudulent charges.

Scammers create fake websites

The Better Business Bureau is warning the public that an influx of consumers like Gilbert are reporting similar experiences to the BBB Scam Tracker.

Here’s how it works.

Consumers reported shopping on what they thought was a legitimate website or clicking on an email or social media ad that led them to a shopping site. Typically, customers enter their name, address, email address, and payment information.

But then customers said they got a “card declined” message or another that said “your card didn’t go through for some reason.”

Thinking they may have made a mistake or don’t have enough funds, the consumer often pulls out another form of payment.

For many, they later receive an actual email or text communication from their card issuer saying fraudulent purchases have been charged to their account.

Gilbert, who reported his experience to the BBB, said his first card was declined, but the second card was completed with order and tracking numbers. But then he got notices that both cards were charged $74.

His card issuer canceled both cards and refunded his money.

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Other consumers who reported the scam to the BBB said their cards were fraudulently charged $200 and $2,500, respectively.

“If you shop online and your card declines, resist the urge to use another card,” BBB spokeswoman Melanie McGovern told USA TODAY. “Instead, contact the bank to see if there is a problem.”

McGovern said if you suspect fraud, monitor your credit card transactions for any unusual activity and report it to the BBB’s Scam Tracker.

Tips to avoid online shopping scams

Here are some tips from the BBB to avoid online scams:

• Check if the website is legitimate: Scammers often create fake, look-alike websites to trick buyers into thinking they are buying from the real business. Take a close look at the URL – it may be off by a letter or two – and verify that the website is secure by checking that you see “https://” in front of the web address.

• Beware of fake emails, text messages and ads: Scammers often impersonate businesses in fake emails, text messages and social media ads. Do not trust unsolicited messages and always check a link before clicking on it. If in doubt, look up the company’s website on your own.

• Don’t be tempted by great offers: If the price seems too good to be true, it could be a scam. Compare the prices of the product you want.

• Research the business. Before you buy, look for customer reviews online and search for the business on BBB.org. You can also search the BBB Scam Tracker to see if it’s a scam.

• Use a credit card for extra protection. Credit card companies offer additional fraud protection, so you should be able to dispute any unexpected charges on your account.

• Check your credit and debit card protection. Keep up to date with the protections you have on your cards by contacting your bank or researching your protections. You can also set purchase limits, travel restrictions and set up notifications for when purchases are made.

Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher. Sign up for our free newsletter The Daily Money, which will feature consumer news on Fridays, here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Got a “card declined? It could be a scam.