What is the worrying new scam called “ghost tapping”?
Ghost tapping allows thieves to steal money just by getting close, hence the concern it has generated among Americans
Imagine you're in a subway station, distracted by a crowd. Suddenly, someone brushes against you with a backpack or gets too close. Nothing happens... or so you think. Hours later, you check your bank account and discover that you've been charged an amount you don't recognize. There was no card cloning or physical theft. What occurred was a scam known as “ghost tapping.”
This fraudulent method is gaining ground in public spaces, taking advantage of the common use of contactless payments, such as NFC chip cards or digital wallets on mobile phones. The convenience of paying by simply touching the device to a terminal is now being used against consumers.
What is ghost tapping?
Ghost tapping is a scam in which criminals use devices with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology to charge your card without touching it. They only need to get close enough to you in a crowded place to debit your account without you even noticing.
Unlike other scams, this one doesn't require you to hand over your card or phone. Scammers may walk by you, lightly touch you, or even pose as street vendors, donation collectors, or charity representatives to trick you into paying with just a tap.
According to reports from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), scammers have been known to “go door-to-door, claiming to be selling chocolate to support students with special needs. They claim to only accept contactless payments and then charge excessive amounts without showing the amount.”
Where does it happen and how do they do it?
Scammers’ favorite locations include large events, festivals, transit stations, markets, and fairs. In these spaces, slight physical contact doesn’t usually raise suspicion. Sometimes, they set up fake booths or ask for donations with terminals that already have much larger amounts programmed.
Some victims notice small charges, designed to go unnoticed and not trigger bank alerts. These initial charges are used to "test" whether the card works. Higher amounts follow, and many people don't realize they're working until days later.
Warning signs of ghost tapping:
How to protect yourself from this scam?
There are several practical ways to prevent this type of fraud:
If you've already been a victim, immediately inform your bank and block the affected card. You can also report the case on the BBB Scam Tracker, a fraud reporting platform.
The use of contactless technology is here to stay. But like any advancement, it also opens the door to new risks. Therefore, being informed and acting with caution can make the difference between a safe transaction and a very costly one.