Tap and Regret: How Charity Scammers Are Using Contactless Payments to Drain Bank Accounts
A new wave of tap-to-pay scams is targeting generous donors, turning small charitable donations into devastating financial losses. Scammers posing as fundraisers for youth groups, schools, or other causes are approaching people in public spaces and asking for small donations. When victims agree to pay $5 or $20 using their phone or card, the scammer secretly enters a much larger amount—sometimes thousands of dollars—before the victim taps to approve. The Washington state attorney general has reported cases where a $15 donation turned into a $4,800 charge, and another where a $20 gift became a nearly $5,000 loss. The scheme exploits the speed and convenience of contactless payments, relying on the routine nature of “tap to pay” to prevent victims from checking the amount before approving.
To protect yourself, experts recommend never handing your unlocked phone to a stranger, always reading the amount on the payment screen before tapping, and avoiding high-pressure donation requests. If you suspect you’ve been scammed, contact your bank or card issuer immediately, save evidence of the transaction, and report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission and local law enforcement. Strengthening your phone’s security settings and enabling bank alerts can also help catch fraudulent activity early. As contactless payments continue to grow in popularity, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and ensure that your generosity doesn’t become a criminal’s payday.
Courtesy of:
BLN ENTERTAINMENT TV
“where Entertainment meets EXCELLENCE “
www.BLNENTERTAINMENTTV.com
#BLNEtv #BLNEntertainmenttv #Video #Faith #Christ #BlessingLightHallowed
