Digital Security Expert Explains the Risks of Card-to-Card Transfers

Today, many users, when buying goods from popular Instagram and Telegram stores, often find themselves in situations where they transfer money to unknown “sellers” via card-to-card transactions, but the promised goods never arrive. Moreover, after the transfer, the seller might block the buyer, add them to a blacklist, and any attempts to retrieve funds or understand what happened become futile.

As digital security expert Shukhrat Kurbanov explains, buyers in such cases often seek help from banks or payment systems, hoping to get their money back or at least obtain information about the cardholder. However, as a rule, banks and payment systems are unable to assist. Recovering funds becomes a challenging task, and ultimately, individuals have to turn to law enforcement, where the case might be classified as fraud.

Card-to-card transfers are voluntary actions, Kurbanov emphasizes. When you transfer money to another person on your own, the law does not consider this transfer a payment for goods or services. Therefore, there are no legal mechanisms in place to protect consumers if the seller fails to deliver the promised items.

Shukhrat Kurbanov reminds us: “Before transferring money to an unknown person, think carefully about whether you are ready to take the risk. Card-to-card transfers are primarily meant for supporting family and friends, and using them for purchases is solely the cardholder’s decision, with all associated consequences.”

These cases also fall under internet fraud, with victims as numerous as in situations involving fake “bank security” calls or schemes to obtain verification codes.

How to Avoid Fraud?

If you have any doubts, it’s better to avoid the transaction and find a more reliable seller.

Check reviews and the seller’s reputation before transferring money.

Use verified payment systems with buyer protection.

The article may contain inaccuracies as it is translated by AI. For more details, please refer to the Russian version of the article. If you notice any inaccuracies, you can send corrections via the Telegram bot: Uzvaibik_bot.