If you're selling online, there's a type of fraudulent activity called "card testing" that you should know about. It can be frustrating, but understanding what it is and how to protect your business can make a big difference.
This article is a guide to recognizing card testing and learning the best ways to stop fraudsters in their tracks.
In this article
What is card testing?
When fraudsters get their hands on stolen credit card numbers, they need to check if the cards actually work before they use them for bigger fraudulent purchases. This is "card testing."
They do this in a couple of ways:
Small authorizations: They might try to authorize a tiny amount (even $0 or $1) just to see if the card is active and has an available balance.
Tiny purchases: Sometimes they'll make a very small purchase, hoping it's minor enough not to be noticed immediately by the real cardholder.
Signs your business might be targeted
Keep an eye out for these patterns, which could indicate card testers are at work on your payment portals:
A sudden spike in new customer accounts being created.
A jump in overall transaction activity, especially with a high number of declines.
A series of very small transaction amounts.
Why card testing is bad news for your business
Card testing isn't just an annoyance. It can have real negative impacts on your business:
Chargebacks and disputes: If any of those small test transactions go through, the legitimate cardholder will eventually notice and dispute them. This means chargebacks for you, along with potential fees.
Reputation risk: A high number of declined transactions stemming from card testing can make your business look higher risk to payment processors and banks.
Wasted resources: Dealing with the fallout from card testing takes your valuable time and energy.
How Helcim helps you fight card testing
Helcim uses a combination of automated and manual controls to detect and block card testing activity. For instance, our system can identify and block repeated attempts from cards that are being declined. We also monitor overall transaction activity for suspicious patterns.
| Because fraudsters are always trying new tactics, no single method is 100% foolproof. That's why a layered approach – combining our efforts with your vigilance – is the best defense. |
Your toolkit for preventing card testing
You have several tools and strategies at your disposal to make your business a harder target for card testers.
Quick checklist: card testing prevention
Activate Helcim Fraud Defender: This tool helps assess the risk of online transactions.
Set up reCAPTCHA: This helps stop automated scripts (bots) that fraudsters use. Helcim’s Online Checkout and Payment Pages tools have reCAPTCHA built-in.
You can also enable reCAPTCHA for HelcimPay.js configurations, and if you use our API, you can add it yourself.
Consider a minimum transaction amount: Setting a minimum for your payment pages (e.g. $1.00) can deter tiny test authorizations.
Review your Declined Transactions settings: Get in touch with us, and we can help you adjust these settings to better block suspicious activity.
Require customer login: For an online store with Helcim, you can require customers to create an account and log in before checkout. While more secure, this does add an extra step for legitimate customers.
Monitor your activity: Regularly keep an eye on your transaction reports for any unusual patterns.
What to do if you think you're a victim of card testing
If you spot the signs and suspect card testers are targeting your business, here’s how to respond.
Quick checklist: if you suspect card testing
Temporarily disable checkout (if possible): If it won’t severely impact your business, briefly pausing your online payment page can discourage the fraudster. You can still process payments by keying them into the Virtual Terminal or by sending invoices.
Review recent transactions: Confirm if the activity looks like card testing (many small declines, some small approvals).
Void or refund suspicious approvals: Immediately reverse or refund any small, successful transactions you believe are fraudulent tests to prevent chargebacks.
Review and adjust security settings: Implement or tighten settings from the "toolkit" checklist above.
Monitor your account: Keep a close watch to ensure the suspicious activity stops.
Contact us: If you have questions or need help, reach out to our Trust and Safety team at trustandsafety@helcim.com.
Next steps
Check your Helcim Fraud Defender settings to ensure they’re optimized for your business.
Reach out to Helcim’s Trust and Safety team at trustandsafety@helcim.com if you have concerns.
FAQs
Will card testing always result in chargebacks?
Not always. If the tests are only authorizations that get declined, or if you catch and refund small approved transactions quickly, you can often avoid chargebacks. However, any approved fraudulent transaction carries a chargeback risk.
Is it safe to re-enable my checkout page after I think card testing has stopped?
Generally, yes, especially if you've taken steps to enhance your security settings. However, continue to monitor your transactions closely after re-enabling it.
Why would fraudsters target my small business with card testing?
Fraudsters often cast a wide net. They use automated scripts to hit many websites, large and small, looking for vulnerabilities. Though illegal and frustrating, it’s usually not personal — they're just looking for any system where they can validate stolen cards.