Credit Card Contactless Skimming

[WDWJDS]

I was in a crowded Starbucks in a huge tourist area. I noticed two guys standing in the middle of the crowd. One of the guys seemed to be hanging pretty close to me. I kept moving and he would move the same way. I finally ended up turning around, staring him in the face (like "I know you're up to something") and then moved far away to wait for my drink. Then I watched them repeat one of the names that the worker called out (for the customer to get their coffee.)

After I left, I thought about that contactless skimming thing, where the thief has some sort of app that can get your information off of your CC by just standing near you. I went back into the store to notify the manager and the two had already gone.

I'm a nervous Nelly so I did change my CCs already Now I've got to order one of those CC sleeves (or wrap my CC in foil).

Ugh! One more thing to worry about.

 

[HannaBelle]

It is good that you were paying attention to your surroundings. I really don't see how the "new and improved" chip cards are making us more secure when your CC info can be stolen by someone standing next to you. I am sure someone will come along and tell me how wrong I am in just moment! LOL

 

[IndyRnRfan]

http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/emv-faq-chip-cards-answers-1264.php

I didn't know either so I googled it. Sounds like it is more difficult with the chip and the ever changing transaction numbers. We had our cc info hacked/stolen 3 times in one year. Since we've gone to the chip over a year ago it hasn't happened.

 

[k5jm]

This has nothing to do with Chip and Pin cards. This is about contactless payment and RFID snarfing. RFID is easily interceptible if you have an antenna that has enough gain to energize the RFID chip.

 

[low-key]

not only was he a crook, but so is starbucks. There all out to get our money

 

[Planogirl]

not only was he a crook, but so is starbucks. There all out to get our money

But at least we go into Starbucks as willing victims.

 

[low-key]

But at least we go into Starbucks as willing victims.

that makes the crime even dirtier

 

[justgrace]

That's really scary! I'm glad you were paying attention to your surroundings - something that I need to get better at.

I wish people would use their smarts for good instead of evil!

 

[manning]

Here's one of several shields

Purchase a wallet that blocks RFID transmissions if you do not want to create or purchase a separate shield for each card. These wallets are approved by the Government Services Administration. Look for a stamp or statement by this agency to ensure authenticity when buying this

 

[MillauFr]

I guess I don't understand what the issue is. My card have been hacked multiple times. I have never lost anything. I just call my credit card company and get the bogus charges deleted.

 

[WDWJDS]

I guess I don't understand what the issue is. My card have been hacked multiple times. I have never lost anything. I just call my credit card company and get the bogus charges deleted.

You're right, but I guess I would prefer to avoid it in the first place. Depending on the amount of the theft, it could cause a major inconvenience (like tourists checking into a hotel may have issues with their CC or available funds for activities).

 

[elphaba91]

The other thing that I suspect works is to put 2 or more cards that have some sort of scanning capabilities on top of each other. Our (stupid) public transport cards use a touch technology and I know mine won't work if I've got a credit card or my uni ID against it. So I just make sure I've got my 2 cards in the same slot in my wallet.