How scammers use "Ghost Tapping" to skim your tap-to-pay cards

As tap-to-pay becomes part of everyday life, experts say scammers may be looking for new ways to take advantage of it.

Most people are familiar with credit card skimmers, devices that steal information when you swipe. But now, investigators and consumer advocates are warning about a newer concept sometimes referred to as “ghost tapping.”

The idea: cybercriminals use hidden devices to try to access your card information simply by getting close to you. It's like digital pickpocketing.

Jason Meza with the Better Business Bureau demonstrated with a portable card reader often used for small businesses or food trucks.

"I can put this in my pocket and walk up to somebody pretty close and actually try to scan a card or a phone," he showed us.

"Where are you most commonly seeing this take place?" Reporter Jordan Elder asked.

"Crowded events, crowded spaces, places where there's lots of opportunity," Meza said. "Using the convenience and the access of having a chip-enabled card or their phone ready to go, paying for food, paying for a quick alcoholic beverage."

How it works

Tap-to-pay technology relies on short-range communication between your card or phone and a payment terminal. Experts say that in the wrong hands, similar technology could be used to attempt to interact with cards or devices nearby.

In some cases, experts say, it may only take a few inches of distance.

Where you might be at risk

Experts say large gatherings can create the perfect environment. From festivals like Fiesta to packed Spurs games, crowded spaces may give bad actors more opportunities to get close without raising suspicion.

"Now just being in the neighborhood or in the area, vicinity, of a chip reader, puts you at risk," Meza explained.

Law enforcement agencies say they have not widely reported cases of “ghost tapping,” but experts caution that many people may not recognize the signs if it does happen.

What to watch for

Unauthorized charges are often the first red flag.

"They're trying to do micro transactions, trying to get as many of those little things as possible before they're discovered," Paul Keener, a cybersecurity strategist at GuidePoint Security, explained.

If it escalates, your card information could be used again or sold and used elsewhere.

How to protect yourself

There are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

Use your phone when possible: Keener says this is the safest way to pay because mobile payments typically require Face ID, a fingerprint, or a passcode, adding an extra layer of security.

Consider RFID-blocking wallets or sleeves: These can help prevent unauthorized scanning attempts since your cards may sit in a wallet or purse that you can't see at all times.

Monitor your accounts regularly: Report suspicious charges immediately.

If you believe your information has been compromised, experts recommend contacting your bank first, then reporting the incident to the Better Business Bureau, local law enforcement, and the FBI so they can track the trends.

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