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When you pay for a delivery or service, a fraudster may record your PIN and swap your bank card with a fake, similar-looking card. Then they'll use the swapped card to make transactions and withdrawals before they get caught. Learn the red flags to help you spot card swapping scams.
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What you need to know
- Card swapping typically happens in delivery or taxi services
- Compromised point-of-sale (POS) terminals record your PIN without your knowledge
- Check your card once you get it back from the merchant to make sure it's yours
What is a card swapping scam?
Fraudsters will swap your bank card with a similar looking card while you're making a payment for a service that's been completed or fulfilled. Card swapping typically happens in delivery service scams, such as pizza delivery or taxi services.
How card swapping works
- When you pay for the delivery or taxi ride, you insert your bank card into a POS terminal. This compromised terminal records your PIN.
- The payment machine displays an error message suggesting the transaction can't be completed.
- The fraudster takes the machine back under the pretense of trying to fix the error. At this point, the fraudster swaps your bank card for a similar-looking card.
- You believe you've completed the payment and leave without realizing the bank cards were swapped.
- The delivery person or driver takes the payment machine with your card still in it to "fix the error."
- The payment doesn't appear on your bank statement. This is because the tampered terminal recorded your PIN instead of processing a payment.
- You have a different or fake bank card that looks similar to yours. The fake card will either have someone else’s name on it or it won’t have a name on it at all.
- Keep your bank card in your sight. When you get your card back after making a payment, make sure it’s actually your card and not just one that looks similar.
- Regularly check your bank statements for any unknown transactions.
- Set transaction alerts to monitor any activity on your accounts or with your bank card.
- Use the contactless payment method whenever you can to protect your PIN.
- If you can, cover the keypad with your hand or body when entering your PIN at a POS terminal.
Learn more about card swapping scams
