The next time someone is grinding up against you at the club, they could just be dancing, or they could be stealing from you, charging five easy payments of $19.99 from your credit card. (???)
It’s a new credit card scam called “ghost tapping.” If you haven’t heard about it yet, it’s where thieves use cheap, generic card readers, bump into you, and trigger a wireless transaction from a tappable chip credit card in your wallet.
They don’t even need to physically touch your back pocket or purse, but they need to get pretty close. And it could also trigger a transaction from the mobile wallet on your phone.
Which is ANNOYING, because chip cards with tapping functionality were supposed to be more secure. (For regular card readers they are, since they keep the data encrypted, but they’re still susceptible to this.)
The scam is more likely to happen in crowded spaces, like public transportation, concerts, or busy sidewalks.
Thieves often start with small transactions that you’re less likely to notice, but they can add your card to THEIR digital wallets to make larger purchases later on.
So what can you do, outside of closely monitoring your accounts?
An investigative news team tried several different safety items, and the best options were: An “RFID-blocking wallet / phone case.” They can cost around $20, but they do work.
A cheaper option is “RFID-blocking card sleeves.” They’re only about 20 cents each, but it’s inconvenient to keep taking your cards in and out of them.
They also tried an “RFID-blocking card,” which you put in your wallet and it’s supposed to protect everything inside, but it didn’t really work. And there’s a “Faraday Pouch” that can protect your cards AND phone, but it also blocks your cell service, so your phone won’t receive calls or texts while inside it.
(KIRO 7)
