ST. LOUIS — If you use the tap-to-pay feature on your cell phone, the Better Business Bureau is warning of a new type of scam.
The BBB said scammers are using “ghost tapping” to secretly charge your payment method without you knowing. The bureau said Near Field Communication, the technology used in tap-to-pay, is generally safe, but scammers can exploit it in crowded spaces or distracting situations.
The BBB said scammers could use a variety of tactics:
- Getting close in public spaces. Someone might bump into you while secretly charging your tap-enabled card or mobile wallet.
- Pretending to be a vendor. At events, flea markets or festivals, fraudsters might set up fake stands and ask for tap payments.
- Charity scams. They might request a small donation but actually charge your card for a much larger amount.
- Rushing the process. Scammers count on you tapping without checking the business name or transaction amount.
The BBB said once scammers have your payment information, they might make small transactions to avoid detection…