Chicago Resident Falls Victim to Tap and Pay Scam, Loses Thousands!

A Chicago man thought he was helping someone in need but ended up losing thousands of dollars to a scam.

Goldie Murray was approached outside a retail pharmacy in the Hyde Park neighborhood by three men asking for a donation for a young boy’s funeral.

Wanting to help, he offered to donate $20. However, since he had no cash, the scammers told him they only accepted credit cards.

The Credit Card Tap Trick

Murray agreed to use his credit card, but one of the men grabbed it from his hand and tapped it on a mobile phone.

The scammer then claimed the transaction did not go through. Murray walked away, unaware that he had just been scammed. Moments later, he received an alert on his phone from his credit card company.

A Shocking Discovery

While he was just 20 feet away from the scammers, his credit card company called him.

They informed him that two payments were pending, totaling $6,000. Murray immediately reported the charges as fraud.

One payment was successfully canceled, but the status of the second charge is still uncertain.

How the Scam Works?

According to digital payments expert Peter Tapling, scammers are now using mobile phones with tap-and-pay technology to steal money instantly.

The same technology that allows for quick and easy transactions in stores can be misused by fraudsters. Tapling warns that people should be cautious when handing over their credit cards.

“People should treat their electronic payment mechanisms the way they would treat cash,” Tapling said. “If you wouldn’t hand $100 to a stranger, don’t hand them your card.”

Rarely Caught: The Challenge of Stopping Scammers

Fraud cases like this are difficult to solve. According to Chicago Police data, over 5,400 fraud-related reports were made in 12 months. Around half involved credit card scams, but police only made arrests in 30 cases.

Tapling said tracking down scammers is challenging because they often use disposable phones and fake identities. Many victims never get their money back.

Victim Left Waiting for Justice

Murray, who has lived in Hyde Park for years, reported the scam to the police. However, he has not received any follow-up from authorities. Meanwhile, his credit card company is still investigating.

“It’s horrible because [the scammers] are making people who honestly ask for help look bad and taking advantage of people who care,” Murray said.

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How to Protect Yourself?

Experts recommend taking extra precautions to avoid falling victim to similar scams:

• Avoid handing your card to strangers – If a donation requires electronic payment, consider using a trusted platform instead.
• Set transaction alerts – Many banks offer instant notifications for unusual transactions.
• Use a credit card with fraud protection – This can help recover losses in case of fraud.
• Be cautious with mobile payments – Always verify the recipient before tapping your card on a phone.

Staying informed and cautious can help prevent scams like this from happening to more people.

Reference

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