What is a card tester?
A card tester is a tool or service that checks if stolen payment card numbers work. It sends small charges or authorization requests to payment networks. The goal is to find active cards. This activity is illegal in the United States and many other countries.
Why card testing is fraud
Card testing uses payment card numbers without permission from the cardholder. That is unauthorized access. It violates the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, wire fraud laws, and identity theft laws. The FTC calls it a form of payment fraud. The FBI classifies it as cybercrime.
Legal penalties
Penalties include prison time, fines, and restitution. Under 18 U.S.C. § 1029, fraud with access devices can lead to up to 10 years in prison for a first offense. Aggravated cases can lead to 20 years. State laws add more charges.
Why we do not provide a card tester guide
We do not sell or promote card testing. We do not provide instructions for testing stolen cards. We do not provide CVV, fullz, or dumps. This page exists to state that card testing is illegal.
What to do instead
If you need to test payment systems, use your own cards in a sandbox. Payment processors like Stripe and PayPal offer test environments. Those use fake card numbers. They do not involve real cardholders. If you suspect card testing on your site, contact your processor and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.