Considering the wide range With contactless payment systems, it is no surprise that portable point-of-sale theft is making a comeback. This type of robbery is enjoying new visibility and is difficult to spot given the speed at which these transactions occur. But how many risks are there? How do you protect yourself from POS scams?
Sorrento’s case
A recent example of a POS theft occurred in Italy, when the news agency ANSA reported that the subject exploded again after someone tried to steal 100 euros from a cash register in a bar in the city center. During the search process, law enforcement allegedly found the modified portable POS terminal.
This is not the first time that these thieves have been stopped using this device. ANSA reports that they were previously arrested in Rome. The device displayed in the photos radiated by the media appears to be a separate sumup solo or a portable POS capable of operating independently without having to connect to the smartphone. Given its affordability and ease of use, it is a popular device in the stalls and markets.
This is also not the first time a robber who has used technical equipment has been arrested. In fact, last year, ANSA reported similar cases and worries occurred at highway rest stops.
Difficult, but not impossible
There are two possibilities Performing crime For this type of scam. First of all, the people who are more convenient for robbers: they stole the wallet, and later, they made a series of small transactions with the stolen cards that did not require pins to be entered, as if they were to simulate a series of short-term purchases. When the limit is reached, the wallet is thrown away.
The second method can be described as a kind of trawl. Thieves chose crowded places that are likely to be in contact with each other, such as public transportation or lines in commercial premises. They then go on to create payment requests on portable POS, hold them in their hands or hide them in some way, and then place them in the back pocket of pants, bags, waist bags, backpacks, backpacks, etc.
Due to many factors, the success rate is very low. First, it takes about 30 seconds to get confirmation of the transaction before it has to be repeated from the POS. The second is that the POS almost has to contact the card, usually within 0.5 to 4 cm. The third is that there must be no interference elements, such as other cards. Therefore, robbers must encounter a series of accidental circumstances to succeed. Despite the low success rate, it is not zero, so it is best to limit your risk as much as possible. Here are some tips.
How to defend yourself
Needless to say, if you stick your wallet in the back pocket of your pants, not only risking robbery in a traditional way, but also creating the best scene for this new scam. You can choose a wallet with integrated RFID protection, which creates real barriers to these types of scams.
For maximum protection, you can receive notifications even for small contactless transactions set up through the bank’s app. Fraudsters usually choose small quantities, believing that the victim will not receive notifications – usually, the victim may not notice the amount withdrawn, perhaps confusing it with other small transactions. If you are stuck in a scam, it is recommended to contact your bank immediately to challenge the transaction: Since everything is traceable, devices used by fraudsters can be identified, although they may have switched to new ones during this time.
Finally, almost all modern smartphones now come with NFC chips for contactless payments. Theft using portable POS terminals can usually be blocked by unlocking the smartphone, so even if someone places the POS terminal on an unattended phone, no transaction will be made.
This story originally appeared in Wired Italy and has been translated from Italian.
