What characterizes a counterfeit card?

A counterfeit card is characterized by altered or fake information. This involves the replication or modification of legitimate card details, which can include the card number, expiration date, and the cardholder's name. The intent behind creating a counterfeit card is to deceive and enable unauthorized transactions, essentially mimicking the appearance and functionality of a genuine payment card.

Counterfeit cards are different from other types of cards in that they are specifically designed to be fraudulent and do not carry the authorization that would typically be associated with legitimate financial instruments. For instance, a card issued with temporary authorization may still be valid for use, while a genuinely obtained card is legitimately provided by a financial institution to the cardholder. A card lacking a magnetic stripe may be a design choice or related to the technology used, but it does not automatically indicate that the card is counterfeit.