‘Ghost Tapping’ may let scammers skim tap-to-pay cards from inches away
April 24, 2026 – Published on NBC San Antonio
As tap-to-pay becomes part of everyday life, experts say scammers may be looking for new ways to take advantage of it.
Most people are familiar with credit card skimmers, devices that steal information when you swipe. But now, investigators and consumer advocates are warning about a newer concept sometimes referred to as “ghost tapping.”
The idea: cybercriminals use hidden devices to try to access your card information simply by getting close to you. It’s like digital pickpocketing.
How can you protect yourself? Unauthorized charges are often the first red flag.
“They’re trying to do micro transactions, trying to get as many of those little things as possible before they’re discovered,” Paul Keener, a cybersecurity strategist at GuidePoint Security, explained. If it escalates, your card information could be used again or sold and used elsewhere.
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