Scammers are intercepting tap-to-pay purchases and stealing money
It’s called ‘Ghost Tapping’ and is contactless
Jennifer Waugh, The Morning Show anchor, I-TEAM reporter
Updated: February 2, 2026 at 6:17 AM
Ghost Tapping is a scheme that allows scammers to charge debit and credit cards without physical contact.
This typically happens in crowded areas, like malls, sporting events, concerts, and bars.
The thieves then make small transactions, at first, between $5-$20 to avoid detection. The transactions often look like legitimate businesses, but they are not.
A cybersecurity analyst joined me during my 10 a.m. news streaming show on News4JAX+ to explain how the scheme works and how to spot if you have become a victim.
Press play above to watch the interview
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