The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has released a public alert regarding a recent scam that may impact individuals attempting to make payments using mobile applications and specific credit and debit cards at checkout. This scheme is referred to as “ghost tapping”, and it is not related to any local apparition or an unseen hand touching your shoulder. Although the name may seem humorous, ghost tapping has the potential to enable thieves to steal hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Ghost tapping is a scheme that particularly focuses on tap-to-pay cards and mobile wallets. Examples of the latter are the PayPal and Venmo applications available on iPhone and Android devices that feature tap-to-pay capabilities and mobile payment options. To grasp how the scam operates, it’s essential to understand the underlying technology. Tap to pay utilizes Near Field Communication (NFC), enabling devices to exchange data when in close range. When engaging in a tap-to-pay transaction, you finalize a payment by tapping your smartphone, smartwatch, or payment card against the processing device. This “tap” transmits your payment information to the payment terminal.
Criminals can exploit this straightforward payment method in various manners. Ghost tappers may inadvertently collide with you in busy areas while discreetly maneuvering a tap-to-pay card reader within reachable distance. Scammers might request a minor donation to a charity, while actually billing you a significantly higher amount. Some fraudsters may pose as sellers and hasten the transaction to prevent you from recognizing the actual price of the item. In October 2025, Newsweek reported a case in which a Missouri resident lost $100 to a ghost tapper using a portable card reader.
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