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Contactless card scam


Paul223
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..... getting hold of a merchants account isn't as simple as people think and suspicious transactions can just as easily get a merchant account stopped as a abnormal spend pattern on a member of the public's card. And then there's the issue of funds clearing into a merchants bank account, and back out and turned into cash before the banks notice what is going on.

Is there any risk that the scammer may have the money paid direct to some untraceable account on the other side of the globe?

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Is there any risk that the scammer may have the money paid direct to some untraceable account on the other side of the globe?

 

In theory yes, in practise very little chance as most card transactions are not processed instantly so it would most probably be caught either by the bank issuing the card or the merchant account before the money got offshore.

 

The best and most sensible pieces of advice I have ever been given about cards is, don't let them out of your site when paying for something in a shop or restaurant. A card is most likely to get skimmed when they think you can't see them swiping a card through a malicious card skimmer. And if something looks off at ATM machine (or pay at pump) move on and find another.

Edited by derfley
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If a criminal does take / access your card and spends on it either physically or via RFID, you are protected under the same fraud rules as other transactions by your bank.

That is, provided you are not at fault, then you are entitled to a full refund.

 

The whole point is to make transactions quick and easy whilst also lowering the risk of someone looking over your shoulder and seeing your pin number.

If you notice a transaction that is suspicious, report it to the bank.

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If a criminal does take / access your card and spends on it either physically or via RFID, you are protected under the same fraud rules as other transactions by your bank.

That is, provided you are not at fault, then you are entitled to a full refund.

 

The whole point is to make transactions quick and easy whilst also lowering the risk of someone looking over your shoulder and seeing your pin number.

 

If you notice a transaction that is suspicious, report it to the bank.

 

 

Proving that you are not at fault is another thing though. Like insurance claims they put every obstacle in your way to giving you your money!

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Unless you allow someone to loiter in your personal space, the card reader hasn't got the range. The average read range is 5cm or less. I know the tube environment is unique, but I get quite protective of my personal space in normal situations.

 

Additionally, AFAIA in the UK, card holders are not liable for fraudulent card activity...so I won't be staying up nights fretting about this.

 

Atb

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Proving that you are not at fault is another thing though. Like insurance claims they put every obstacle in your way to giving you your money!

 

The banks have insured the transactions and the subsequent risks that go with them, they may ask for proof (why wouldn't they) and provided you give them the information needed they WILL refund you the money.

 

I can speak personally regarding this as it has happened to me in a Club in London and a cafe in Ipswich, both times my bank refunded the money next business day with no objections what so ever.

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Unless you allow someone to loiter in your personal space, the card reader hasn't got the range. The average read range is 5cm or less. I know the tube environment is unique, but I get quite protective of my personal space in normal situations.

 

Additionally, AFAIA in the UK, card holders are not liable for fraudulent card activity...so I won't be staying up nights fretting about this.

 

Atb

 

Exactly - more important things to worry about such as making sure Jeremy Corbyn doesn't get to be prime minister!

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Unless you allow someone to loiter in your personal space, the card reader hasn't got the range. The average read range is 5cm or less. I know the tube environment is unique, but I get quite protective of my personal space in normal situations.

 

Additionally, AFAIA in the UK, card holders are not liable for fraudulent card activity...so I won't be staying up nights fretting about this.

 

Atb

 

See post below

 

 

The banks have insured the transactions and the subsequent risks that go with them, they may ask for proof (why wouldn't they) and provided you give them the information needed they WILL refund you the money.

 

I can speak personally regarding this as it has happened to me in a Club in London and a cafe in Ipswich, both times my bank refunded the money next business day with no objections what so ever.

 

So that is twice to one member alone!

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