[AccessD] Search for credit card numbers

Ok here is a function that may work for you.  I have not tested it.  I
leave the replace part to you.  Use the debugger amply.

' This will match the following cc numbers:
'0000-0000-0000-0000
'0000 0000 0000 0000
'0000000000000000

'
' set a debug breakpoint at the top of this function and
' step 1 line at time
'
Function ccMatch (str as String) As Boolean
   Dim regex As Object
   Dim ccpattern as Variant
   Dim regexMatch As Boolean
   Dim matches As MatchCollection

   ccMatch = 0
   ccpattern = "(\d+((\ |-)?\d+)+)"

   Set regex = CreateObject("VBScript.RegExp")
   regexMatch = True
   regex.Global = True
   regex.ignorecase = True

   ' test for cc number
   regex.pattern = ccpattern
   regexMatch = regex.test(str)

   If (regexMatch) Then
      ' got a match now substitute your string
      ' matches(0).submatches(0) should contain the cc number

      Set matches = regex.Execute(str)

      ' once you step here look at the properties for the matches object
      '
      ' the submatches index is the parenthesis order starting
      ' from left to right--can be viewed in the debug window
      ' while manually stepping
      ccnumber = matches(0).submatches(0)

      ' now you can use your best method for replacing the cc number
      ' with your string
      ' regex.replace

      ccMatch = 1
   End If

End Function

hth.  Gotta go, Dr. Who is on and then BSG.  SciFi Friday. 

Mike...


*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 4/18/2008 at 6:12 PM Mark A Matte wrote:

>Thanks Mike,
>
>I had already considered the different lengths and seperators... this
>,"(\d+((\ |-)?\d+)+)", intrigues me...what do I do with it/how do i call
>it???  The numbers I'm looking for are in the middle of the text of a MEMO
>field.  
>
>Thanks again,
>
>Mark A. Matte
>
>
>> Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:32:17 -0400
>> From: jedi at charm.net
>> To: accessd at databaseadvisors.com
>> Subject: Re: [AccessD] Search for credit card numbers
>>
>> Hi Mark, your best solution is to use a regular expression to match a
>> pattern of numbers. CC numbers can have dashes or spaces separating the
>> number groups or can be contiguous--just depends on how it was written.
>> For example using a pattern like
>>
>> (\d+((\ |-)?\d+)+)
>>
>> Meaning:
>> 1. The first set of parens (outer) capture the whole matching CC number.
>> 2. The first \d+ means one or more digits
>> 3. The ((\ |-)?\d+) means the next char either a space or "-" may exist
>> (because of the ?) and then again 1 or more digits
>> 4. And the final + is one or more of the pattern in #3.
>>
>> would cover 3 possible patterns
>> 0000-0000-0000-0000
>> 0000 0000 0000 0000
>> 0000000000000000
>>
>> CC number length range from 13 to 16 digits so this should catch them.
>> however this is not foolproof. If you happen to have some other number
>> that matches that pattern then it too will get caught.
>>
>> If you want to determine the issuer then a simple case statement
matching
>> the identifier will suffice.
>>
>> Give this some thought.
>>
>> Mike...
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Hello All,
>>>
>>> I'm getting ready to build something that searches MEMO and text fields
>>> for credit card numbers (card number NOT known)...and then replace
them.
>>>
>>> Before I got started, I was wondering if anyone has any advice...or has
>>> done somthing similar.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Mark A. Matte
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