A sneaky new scam called “ghost tapping” is hitting crowded places — and busy moms on the go are prime targets.

You’re rushing through a busy checkout line after soccer practice, squeezing onto a crowded bus during your morning commute, or navigating a packed parking lot at the Concord Mall. You’ve got groceries in one hand, your phone in the other, and your wallet tucked safely in your purse. You’re being careful. But what if careful isn’t enough anymore?

Meet “ghost tapping” — a credit card scam that’s leaving people blindsided, and it’s happening in exactly the kinds of packed, chaotic places we navigate every single day.

So, what exactly is ghost tapping?

Here’s how it works: thieves carry small, inexpensive card readers — the same kind used at legitimate businesses for contactless payments. They get close to you in a crowd, and that’s it. The reader can wirelessly trigger a transaction from your tap-to-pay credit card through your wallet or purse without ever physically touching it.

And it’s not just your credit card. Your phone’s mobile wallet — Apple Pay, Google Pay — can also be vulnerable. Think about all the times your phone is sitting in your cup holder at school pickup, or sticking out of your tote bag at a concert.

The scam tends to happen most often in crowded spaces: public transit, concerts, sports events, busy sidewalks, and shopping malls. Basically everywhere we live our lives.

Why this is especially sneaky

Here’s the frustrating part: tap-to-pay was supposed to be more secure. And for traditional card skimmers at gas pumps and ATMs, it actually is. But contactless tap technology is still susceptible to this kind of close-range wireless theft.

Thieves are also smart about it. They often start with tiny charges — ones that blend into your statement. But once they capture your card info, they can add it to their own digital wallet and make much larger purchases down the road. By the time you notice, the damage is done.

What actually works to protect you?

An investigative team at KIRO 7 tested several products. Here’s the honest breakdown:

• ✅ RFID-Blocking Wallet or Phone Case — About $20 and it actually works. Best everyday solution.
• ⚠️ RFID-Blocking Card Sleeves — Only about $0.20 each and effective, but a hassle to slide cards in and out constantly.
• ❌ RFID-Blocking Card Insert — Designed to protect everything in your wallet just by sitting inside it. In testing, it didn’t hold up.
• ⚠️ Faraday Pouch — Protects cards AND your phone, but it also blocks all cell service while your phone is inside.

A quick checklist for everyday protection:

• Pick up an RFID-blocking wallet — $20 is worth the peace of mind.
• Turn on transaction alerts in your banking app so you’re notified of every charge in real time.
• Review your statements weekly, not just monthly. Small odd charges are easy to miss.
• In crowded spaces — concerts, transit, busy malls — keep your bag in front of you.
• If you spot an unfamiliar charge, dispute it right away. Most banks make this easy inside their app.

The bottom line

We’re all juggling a million things — work, kids, errands, life. The last thing you need is someone taking advantage of a crowded moment to quietly drain your account. A $20 RFID-blocking wallet is one of the easiest ways to close this gap and protect yourself.

Stay safe out there, Michiana. And share this with another mom who needs to know — it could save her a major headache.

Source: KIRO 7 — “Ghost Tapping Scam: Charging Your Card Without You Knowing”