Card networks flag fraud

Core Insights - The card networks are issuing reports ahead of the holiday shopping season to inform consumers and merchants about potential fraud risks and scams [3][4] - Visa highlights the evolution of fraud tactics, indicating that criminals are now operating with more sophistication and organization, akin to tech startups [5][6] - Mastercard's acquisition of Recorded Future for $2.65 billion underscores the increasing importance of fraud prevention services in the card industry [5] Visa's Findings - Visa's report analyzes fraud patterns from the first half of 2025, revealing that criminals are leveraging artificial intelligence and new technologies to enhance their operations [6] - Key patterns identified include the industrialization of fraud schemes, strategic timing of stolen data usage, and the proliferation of fake content across merchant websites [6] - The report emphasizes the inadequacy of legacy defenses and highlights vulnerabilities in third-party fraud prevention measures [6] Mastercard's Insights - Mastercard's Recorded Future unit reported on the creation of fake e-commerce activities by criminals, which aim to deceive consumers and steal sensitive information [6] - The report details how fraudulent marketing tactics are employed to lure consumers to illegitimate merchants [6]