Scammers are exploiting a flaw in contactless payments to charge amounts much higher than what victims agreed to. The scheme involves approaching people on the street, presenting themselves as representatives of non-governmental organizations, and asking for donations through portable payment terminals.
The victim may agree to contribute a small amount, such as €20, but the amount displayed on the terminal is altered by the scammers before the transaction is confirmed. This way, they manage to charge amounts that can reach up to €20,000, without the victim immediately noticing the difference.
Charitable institutions are being accused of excessive charges that, in some cases, are considered valid by American banks. This means victims have little chance of recovering the money through chargeback disputes.
The warning was issued by Kurt Knutsson, a technology expert responsible for the CyberGuy Report on Fox News. The expert warns about the need for consumers to always verify the amount shown on the terminal before confirming any contactless payment, in order to avoid falling victim to this type of scam.
