Here’s the latest donation scam … That stranger asking for a small donation? Take a closer look before you tap your phone. It’s an in-person setup that targets people using contactless payments. Someone comes up to you, says they're raising money for a good cause and asks for a modest donation — maybe $10, $20, or $50. But if you aren’t looking closely when you tap to pay, you’re charged hundreds or even thousands of dollars instead.
Here are a few ways to protect yourself:
•Always verify the amount on the screen before tapping. Scammers count on people being distracted or in a hurry.
•Check who is receiving the payment. Look at the merchant name, not just the story you're being told.
•Be cautious with street-corner fundraising that only accepts tap-to-pay. That's a common feature of these scams.