Think ghosts aren’t real? This one can make your money disappear. There’s a new “ghost tapping” scam. The Let ABC15 Know team shares how it works and how to protect your wallet.
Many of us like the ease of tap-to-pay — it’s fast, it’s convenient. But the Better Business Bureau is warning about a new scam that’s quietly draining bank accounts.
Scammers have found a way to turn that convenience into cash — for them.
It’s called ghost tapping — and it happens when someone uses a wireless device to charge your tap-enabled card or phone… without you even knowing.
Unlike traditional card scams that require your card or PIN, this one can happen in a crowd… at a festival, or even in line at the store.
Scammers may pretend to be vendors… asking you to tap for a small purchase or donation — but what you’re really doing is approving a fake charge.
Here are the warning signs of ghost tapping:
- Look out for bank alerts about small or unusual “test charges”
- Watch out for a request to tap without showing you the total amount or offering a receipt
- Check for suspicious charges after you have been in crowded areas like festivals and markets
Here’s how you can protect yourself:
- Use RFID-blocking wallets or sleeves
- Double-check the merchant’s name and amount before tapping
- Turn on real-time alerts from your bank
- If you’re in a busy or high-risk area, skip the tap. Insert or swipe instead.
Ghost tapping — it’s not a trick…and if you fall for it, it’s certainly not a treat.
