THE NEW SCAM – CREDIT CARD GHOST TAPPING

THE NEW SCAM – GHOST TAPPING

When your arms are full of holiday shopping purchases, isn’t it convenient when you can just tap your credit card to pay? Although it is convenient, it is also the target of a new scam. Learn how to keep your credit card safe from ghost tapping.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued an alert for a new scam – ghost tapping. The new scam involves tap-to-pay cards and mobile wallets. Tapto-pay technology uses Near Field Communication (NFC), allowing devices to swap data at very close range. While NFC is largely safe, scammers can exploit it, especially in crowds or distracting situations (like holiday shopping).

Ghost tapping does not need the physical contact required with previous debit and credit card scams. The scammers only need a scanning device and to be in close range to you. Be aware of the following situations:

• Close contact in public places: Scammers may try

to “accidentally” bump into you and secretly charge

your tap-enabled credit card or mobile wallet.

• Fake merchants: At various fairs, markets or festivals,

scammers may pose as vendors and specify tap

payments, charging you much more than the trifling

items they’re selling.

• Charity fraud: Scammers might ask for a small

donation but then charge your card for much more.

• Rushing a purchase: Especially during the holiday

season, scammers are expecting you to be inattentive,

tapping your card without checking the business

name or transaction amount.

• Starting small. In some instances, small withdrawals

are made to sidestep fraud detection systems, which

means you may not immediately notice the theft.

What signs could indicate ghost tapping? Your bank

may notify you of small “test” charges that seem odd,

or you notice suspicious charges after being in crowded

situations or attending a public event. Also be leery of

vendors who request you tap without showing you a

total or providing a receipt.

Follow these tips to protect yourself from falling prey

to ghost tapping.

• Use an RFID-blocking wallet or sleeve to stop wireless

skimming.

• Before tapping your card, confirm the name of the

merchant and amount of the total on the payment

screen.

• Contact your bank about enacting transaction alerts

for your account.

• Check your accounts often for unusual activity or

transactions you do not recognize.

• Consider swiping or inserting your card in high risk

areas, rather than tapping