New Scam Method Tricks Shoppers Into Authorizing Payments Themselves
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Visa reports a new scam trend where fraudsters trick consumers into approving payments themselves, bypassing security systems. This method accounted for nearly $1 billion in fraudulent activity globally between July and December 2025. Visa advises consumers to verify seller details, compare prices, scrutinize reviews, and never share verification codes to avoid falling victim.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Scammers are tricking consumers into approving fraudulent payments themselves, a new trend identified by Visa.
- This deception-based fraud became the largest category of consumer payment fraud globally.
- Nearly $1 billion in fraudulent activity was linked to this scam type between July and December 2025.
- Fake websites, misleading reviews, and fictitious offers are used to impersonate legitimate businesses.
- Visa advises consumers to verify seller details, compare prices, and scrutinize reviews before purchasing.
- Consumers should never share verification codes and should contact their bank if suspicious.
As the November sales season approaches, Visa has identified a concerning shift in fraud tactics. Instead of breaching security systems, scammers are now manipulating consumers into approving fraudulent transactions themselves. These deception-based scams, where customers are convinced to authorize payments based on false pretenses, have become the largest category of consumer payment fraud globally.
According to Visa, this type of fraudulent activity reached nearly $1 billion between July and December 2025. Scammers are creating fake websites, misleading reviews, and fictitious offers that mimic legitimate businesses, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish real transactions from scams. This trend is driven by improved technological defenses, pushing fraudsters to focus on directly influencing consumers.
Visa has launched an awareness campaign using AI-generated imagery to highlight the unreliability of online content. The campaign advises consumers that AI recommendations do not guarantee a store's legitimacy. Before making a purchase, shoppers are urged to verify the seller's identity, contact details, shipping, and return policies, and to compare prices with official brand sites and known retailers, including shipping costs.
When evaluating reviews, consumers should look beyond star ratings and examine the content. Detailed, recent reviews, even those including negative feedback, can be helpful. Conversely, reviews that sound identical or lack substance warrant further investigation. At the payment stage, Visa recommends checking the payment method's security features and enabling purchase alerts if available. Consumers should never share secret codes or one-time verification codes with sellers or unsolicited contacts. In case of suspicion, customers should contact their bank, card issuer, or the business through official channels.