Editing Internet fraud (section)

==Online gift card fraud==
{{Further|Gift card#Use in fraud}}
As retailers and other businesses have growing concerns about what they can do about preventing the use of gift cards purchased with stolen credit card numbers, cybercriminals have more recently been focusing on taking advantage of fraudulent gift cards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.csoonline.com/article/3196035/fraud/what-not-to-get-mom-for-mother-s-day.html|title=What not to get Mom for Mother's Day|last=Francis|first=Ryan|date=2017-05-11|website=CSO from IDG|access-date=2017-11-28|archive-date=2017-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201082210/https://www.csoonline.com/article/3196035/fraud/what-not-to-get-mom-for-mother-s-day.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> More specifically, malicious hackers have been trying to get their hands on information pertinent to gift cards that have been issued but not spent. Some of the methods for stealing gift card data include automated bots that launch brute force attacks on retailer systems which store them.

First, hackers will steal gift card data, check the existing balance through a retailer's online service, and then attempt to use those funds to purchase goods or to resell on a third party website. In cases where gift cards are resold, the attackers will take the remaining balance in cash, which can also be used as a method of [[money laundering]]. This harms the customer gift card experience, the retailer's brand perception, and can cost the retailer thousands in revenue. Another way gift card fraud is committed is by stealing a person's credit card information to purchase brand new gift cards.