PSA: Don’t fall for the NFC “sticker scam” panic.
There’s a new viral post is circulating on social media, warning RVers about stickers being placed over tap-to-pay readers at gas stations. Perhaps you’ve seen it? It’s been making the rounds in many RV focused Facebook groups.
NFC “Sticker Scam” Claim:
The post claims that when a false NFC (Near Field Communication) sticker is placed over an actual NFC scanner at a gas pump, the fake sticker will immediately steal your card information, allowing hackers to gain access to your bank account. However, that’s not how NFC works.
Here’s the truth:
Tap-to-pay (NFC) is the most secure way to use your card.
NFC never transmits your actual credit card number. Instead, it sends a one-time, encrypted code, called a token, that is valid only for that exact transaction. Even if someone were to intercept it (which is highly unlikely), it would be useless.
Now here’s the REAL threat:
Scammers may use these fake stickers to BLOCK the NFC reader, forcing you to swipe your card instead — and that’s where an old-school skimmer might be waiting to steal your real card data. Magnetic stripe swiping is far less secure
Tips for Protecting Your Bank Account at the Pump:
Stick with tap-to-pay or chip insert whenever possible.
Avoid swiping unless you absolutely have to.
And if you see a weird sticker over a tap reader, it’s probably trying to disable security, not hack it. Report this immediately to an employee on site.
The next time you come across a viral scam post on social media, we recommend verifying the claims to make sure the information provided is accurate. It’s all too easy for scammers to create a viral post that incites fear and makes you believe something like the NFC “sticker scam” is realistic. This panic could lead to more people swiping cards at the pump, thinking it’s the safer option, and falling right into the hands of scammers.
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