Card holder fights scammers

Ciara Galvin

A NEW wallet that protects consumers’ bank cards from electronic pickpockets is proving popular in Westport.
With the town pioneering cashless transactions, the RFID wallet is quickly becoming the must-have accessory.
The latest scam to hit consumers’ pockets, literally, is the process where thieves get into close contact with a person with a point-of-sale device, the same as those used in shops, and a criminal enters a price lower than the maximum €30 transaction and taps the device against a person’s pockets. The consumer is then charged for this transaction.
The limit on contactless cards was raised from €15 to €30 in the last Budget, in an effort to encourage consumers to stop using cash.
The scam, which requires criminals to get in very close proximity with their unsuspecting victim, is thought to work best in busy shops and at concerts and sporting events.
It can also be carried out by using the NFC function on a mobile phone.
Speaking to The Mayo News, Ross Oldfield of The Heeler in Market Lane, Westport said RFID wallets are proving popular among shoppers.
“I sold 30 in two days, a lot of customers are worried about this. Most cards now automatically come with the contactless feature.”
The wallets and card protectors protect consumers from the scam as they are made with a layer of aluminium which blocks the criminal’s device.
Crime Prevention Officer with An Garda SióchΡna Sgt Tony Cosgrove said no incidents of such scamming had been reported in Mayo but that the Crime Prevention Division was aware of it.
Meanwhile, Sgt Cosgrove appealed to the public not to provide any bank details online in response to scam emails pretending to come from banks.
“These emails are coming from various ‘banks’ and people may be liable for any loss suffered,” warned Sgt Cosgrove.