CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A popular payment method is being targeted by scammers.
The scam is called “ghost tapping,” and it’s a method hackers are using to steal financial information.
However, it’s the new way they are now getting that information that’s cause for concern.
While many types of fraud involve direct contact with a bank card, ghost tapping is different. Scammers only need a wireless payment device and can be several feet away to execute the scam.
And just like that, they can easily access your financial information.
“I think everybody uses it,” Pranamya Keshkamat, a student at the University of Illinois said about tap to pay.
It’s a common payment method being attacked in an uncommon way.
“If you’re in a crowded place, make sure you don’t have your wallet out,” Don O’Brien with the Better Business Bureau told WCIA.
If your phone or wallet is out, you could be susceptible. O’Brien said he thinks anybody can be a victim of this.
However, college kids, who often use tap to pay, might be one of the more vulnerable groups.
“Obviously, in a college town like Champaign, the young people might be a little looser with their cards and the technology,” O’Brien said.
One student on University of Illinois’ campus proves this point.
“I only use my credit card maybe once a year. I always use tap to pay for everything,” Keshkamat said.
He often finds himself in large crowds.
“I went to the football game on Saturday,” Keshkamat added.
Saturday’s Illinois football game had a sold-out crowd.
O’Brien said there are ways to protect yourself.
“You can turn your Bluetooth off with your phone. When you do the tap to checkout, that’s all done through Bluetooth technology,” O’Brien said.
He also encouraged people to regularly monitor their bank accounts.
“Occasionally, these criminals may withdraw small sums initially and store the data on their device, enabling them to extract larger amounts later if the victim doesn’t notice,” O’Brien explained.
While Keshkamat admitted to not putting much thought into protecting his card information from ghost tapping, he said that has now changed.
“Yeah, I kind of want to now,” he said. “It feels less safe in my pocket.”
According to O’Brien, there are additional methods to safeguard your card information. Using a radio frequency identification (RFID) blocking sleeve or wallet is recommended. These sleeves shield your card by preventing unauthorized devices from reading the signal frequencies.
