ST. LOUIS, Mo., (KBSI) — The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers about a new scam called “ghost tapping,” which takes advantage of contactless payment technology used in tap-to-pay with credit cards and mobile wallets.
While the name may sound festive for Halloween, the scam poses real financial risks. Ghost tapping exploits Near Field Communication (NFC) — the short-range wireless technology that enables tap-to-pay transactions. Scammers can use this method in crowded areas or high-traffic events to secretly charge unsuspecting consumers.
In the past, card scams required physical contact, but ghost tapping eliminates that need. According to BBB, scammers may:
Bump into people in public spaces to discreetly charge tap-enabled cards or mobile wallets.
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