Are Credit Card Thieves Really Goodhearted?
Why Credit Card Thieves Donate to Charity
When someone steals a credit card, you really don't expect them to use it to pay for a donation to a charity. However, they do and when they do, it's for a good reason. Credit card thieves don't donate to charity with stolen cards because of some Robin Hood complex. They do it for a much smarter (if it can be called smart at all) reason.
Is It Good?
So, a credit card creep gets hold of a stolen credit card. How do they tell if the credit card is any good or not? Why not use it to make a $5 or $10 donation to a charity online? This way the criminal can see if the credit card really works without risking the embarrassment of being caught with a stolen card at a checkout line.
Charities and the people who work for them need to be aware that a $3 or $5 donation placed on a credit card may not be an act of goodwill. It may actually be an attempt at fraud. If you work with a charity and notice suspicious activity, play it safe and double-check the donation.
If you are a credit card holder and you notice a small donation on your statement that you don't remember making, it could be that a credit card criminal is scoping out your account. Take the necessary precautions.