Protect Yourself From Card Swapping Scams

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.

Signs of card swapping

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.

Stay safe with our tips

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

Internet Crime Complaint Center Opens in a new window.

Report fraud when it happens and track the latest data on fraud happening across the country.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Opens in a new window.

Read about the latest consumer and industry fraud alerts and how to protect your information.

American Bankers Association Opens in a new window.

Get connected with the resources banks use to help you identify, prevent and report fraud.

Protect yourself from card swapping scams

What you need to know

What is a card swapping scam?

How card swapping works

Signs of card swapping

Stay safe with our tips

Learn more about card swapping scams

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