Bank warns of rise in tap-to-pay scams in busy summer months

Fraudsters in shops and crowded areas are using portable payment devices to tap credit cards in customers’ pockets and handbags. File picture

Tap to pay scams are on the increase — especially during the summer months where large gatherings of people become more frequent. Criminals currently favour two main methods of stealing money from unsuspecting victims — point of sale scamming and ‘ghost tapping’. 

The tap-to-pay scam typically involves a customer being told one amount verbally, for instance €30, but then a much higher amount of €300 is entered on the card terminal. This often occurs in high pressure and crowded environments — concerts, open air events and weekend markets.