By Admin 
In today’s time, traveling and digital payments have become interconnected with each other. Whenever we go on travel, we use credit cards, debit cards or mobile wallets instead of carrying cash. Just tap the phone or card and the payment is done, no line, no hassle. But this very facility is now becoming a big threat to the people.
A new and dangerous digital fraud has emerged across the world, which is being called ghost tapping scam. This scam is especially targeting those people who visit tourist places and use tap-to-pay (Contactless Payment) more. The most scary thing in this is that in this scam neither PIN has to be entered nor OTP is received, yet money is withdrawn from the account.
What is Ghost Tapping Scam?
Ghost tapping is a type of digital fraud, in which the scammer comes very close to you and silently makes payment from your card or smartphone. For this he misuses NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. If the tap-to-pay feature is enabled in your card or mobile, then the scammer can deduct money from your account from his special device or mobile and you do not even notice. Neither the card is swiped, nor is it inserted in the machine, nor is any OTP received.
How does this scam work?
Nowadays Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Wallet and contactless cards have NFC technology. Scammers take advantage of this. Scammers carry with them a portable NFC reader or a modified smartphone. They keep roaming in crowded places like airports, railway stations, festivals, fairs, markets and tourist spots. Many times they pose as fake shopkeepers and ask to tap-to-pay for small payments. In some cases they trigger the transaction just by standing near you. This contact of several seconds is enough, and money is deducted from your account. Often either the amount is deducted in excess or the user comes to know later that a transaction has taken place.
Which countries and places are at greater risk?
Governments have not yet released any official figures, but cyber security experts say that this scam is spreading rapidly. Its cases are being reported especially during major events and festivals in the US, Britain and many parts of Western Europe, popular tourist countries like France, Spain, Italy, Thailand and Indonesia, and at international airports and transit hubs. Where there is a lot of crowd, scammers easily get an opportunity.
Is Tap-to-Pay completely unsafe?
Experts believe that tap-to-pay technology is still safer than swiping or inserting the card, because the transaction is encrypted and it is not easy to steal data. But it can be misused in unknown places and in crowds. Therefore, there is a need not to be afraid of technology, but to be cautious. A little caution can save you from big losses.
Also read: You can check if any stranger is using the SIM on your Aadhar card.