Tap-to-pay has become one of the most used payment methods in America. After all, it’s easy, simple and keeps you from having to carry around a wallet filled with cards. Now though, experts are warning of a new ghost tapping scam that happens when you use your phone’s digital wallet to pay for a purchase. Keep scrolling to discover details on the scam, including how to protect yourself when using tap-to-pay to purchase for your items.
What is ghost tapping?
Tap-to-pay means using your phone’s digital wallet to make purchases with a quick tap—no credit or debit card needed. Many stores, restaurants and vendors accept the payment method because the technology is the same as just tapping a credit or debit card with a newer chip in it, making it both easy and accessible for consumers.
By doing so though, shoppers open themselves up to a new wave of scams, including the ghost tapping scam, which happens mostly in crowded areas.
The scam happens when scammers either pretend to bump into you so they can tap your card, making you inadvertently pay for something. It can also happen at a variety of markets and sales events, because oftentimes people will pose as a vendor or seller just to get you to give them money.
How the same works, according to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker: “An individual is going door-to-door in [location redacted] claiming to be selling chocolate on behalf of [redacted] to support special needs students. He says that he can only accept tap-to-pay to get people to pay with a card,” one person who came into contact with the scammers said. “He then charges large amounts to the card without the cardholder being able to see the amount. He got my mother for $537… Another victim for $1,100… He changes neighborhoods frequently to avoid getting caught.”
Another type of ghost scamming happens after someone repeatedly charges the card you used from your digital wallet. Currently, this is happening mainly in New York City and is affecting people who use tap-to-pay to ride public transit.
“I think I am being charged for rides I didn’t take,” said rider Nikki Krat, per CBS News.”It’s one charge after another, and I haven’t taken the train in days.”
What to do if you get ghost scammed
If you do get scammed, the first thing you should do is call your bank or card issuer and refute the charges. From there, experts recommend that you either freeze or cancel your card, helping to ensure that the scammer can’t change you again.
You should also look into deleting the card from your digital wallet for the time being and pay with cash or a physical card until the issue is resolved by your bank or card issuer.
How to protect yourself from ghost scammers
There are a variety of things you can do to protect yourself from ghost scammers. The Better Business Bureau advises limiting your use of tap-to-pay services, double checking how much and who are you paying and keeping a close eye on your bank account to make sure you weren’t charged for something you didn’t pay for.
Along with that, you should make sure that going forward you don’t open your digital wallet to pay for something until it’s actually time to make the purchase.
“The best way to avoid losing money is to review your financial accounts regularly and contact your bank as soon as you notice any suspicious activity,” Michelle L. Corey, Better Business Bureau St. Louis president and CEO, told 9News.
