New online credit card scam exposed

A new way for fraudsters to get hold of consumers' credit card numbers has been exposed.

Panda Software is warning users about the dangers of the scam - which involves lying about cheap airline tickets.

The internet security company claims that several websites have been detected that try to entice users with the offer of cheap flights with the aim of stealing credit card details from web users.

Users searching for airline ticket offers with an internet search engine, such as Google, are directed to an internet address offering cheap flights.

Panda warns that, although the sites in question have been identified and disabled, it is likely that others will appear offering all kinds of products.

The site includes a form asking the user to enter personal details, including their credit card number, expiry date and verification value (CVV). This is then followed by an error page telling the user that the transaction has been unsuccessful and offering instructions on how to pay for the ticket by postal money order.

Luis Corrons, director of PandaLabs, said: "This kind of online fraud differs from those witnessed previously. The malicious user does not contact the person interested in buying the product, but it is actually the buyer, in searching for the best prices online, who goes to the fraudulent web page.

"This creates a false sense of security that can lead users to proceed with the transaction.”

The California-based company advises users to purchase from trusted sites and avoid 'giveaway' prices.