Up next in 10
Ghost tapping—or wireless skimming—lets thieves steal your card info with a simple bump. Learn how this tech works, which devices are used, and how to shield yourself before the holiday rush. #GhostTapping #WirelessSkimming #CyberSecurity #RFIDProtection #FraudPrevention
Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:00
These are available everywhere, which is
0:02
the scary part. Uh, many nations have
0:05
banned them because they are nefarious.
0:07
Um, but I mean, you can go on right now
0:10
on Amazon and you can have this
0:11
delivered same day.
0:13
All right. Stealing your money without
0:15
ever swiping your card.
0:17
This is kind of scary. This morning,
0:18
we're taking a look at so-called ghost
0:20
tapping, also known as ghost charges.
0:22
It's a familiar scam, but with a modern
0:24
twist. Let's bring in Shante Passmore to
0:26
explain just how all of this wireless
0:28
skimming works. Hey Shante.
0:31
Hey guys. You know, if you're like me,
0:33
you tap your card all the time at the
0:35
stores. And it's that same technology
0:37
that the bad guys are using to steal
0:38
your information. Everything from bank
0:40
cards to house keys.
0:43
Flipper zero, a multi-tool so powerful,
0:47
it's also banned in other countries, but
0:49
legal in the US.
0:51
Flipper devices are basically they are
0:54
remote controls. They can be used to
0:56
open garage doors, power things on and
0:58
off, and even penetration testing to
1:01
make sure computer systems are secured.
1:04
At Stack Cyber Security, the team shows
1:07
local 4 how bad actors use the devices.
1:11
Think digital pickpocketing and less
1:13
card skimming.
1:14
So, this goes beyond that. This could be
1:16
just a simple uh tap of a card and it
1:20
will steal all the card information and
1:22
now the individual has my card. I hate
1:24
that.
1:24
Yeah, they can they can now take that,
1:27
store it, and they can go to the gas
1:28
pump and use it.
1:30
So, how does it work?
1:31
It uses this devboard at the top, and
1:33
this devboard has the ability to read um
1:37
uh frequencies uh that use wireless
1:39
bands.
1:40
It's not just cards. Scammers can also
1:42
target badges and fobs.
1:44
It's not just about cyber security in
1:46
your networks, and your online systems.
1:48
It's also about physical security. A lot
1:51
of companies do not think about physical
1:53
security and they absolutely must.
1:56
Experts say proximity is key. People
1:59
need to be just close enough to tap your
2:01
information. The BBB reports someone may
2:04
bump into you in a crowded area to
2:06
secretly steal it.
2:07
That is insane. Um I can't even think
2:11
that this is actually happening. But I'm
2:12
not too surprised though at the same
2:14
time. There's a lot of technology hacks.
2:16
Um and it just seems like it's the next
2:18
level up. In a statement to Local 4,
2:21
Flipper Zero claims its devices is
2:23
intended for educational purposes,
2:26
security testing, and development. It
2:28
also wrote in part, "We'd like to
2:30
highlight that while the Flipper Zero
2:32
can read NFC and RFID cards, it cannot
2:36
decode the card's encrypted security
2:38
code used on credit and debit cards, so
2:40
they can't be cloned." Still, some
2:43
Detroititers say this trend has them
2:45
doing a double take. attention to my
2:48
credit cards and you know stuff like
2:51
that by checking them periodically
2:53
online and stuff to see if it it's
2:56
activity
3:01
and that is exactly what the BBB wants
3:03
folks to do. It wants us to check our
3:06
bank statements all the time. It's also
3:08
advising that folks just stop tapping
3:10
altogether which can be hard to do at
3:12
certain star stores rather. And then
3:14
lastly, get yourself a hold of one of
3:16
these RFID wallets or use a sleeve which
3:18
will help prevent ghost tapping. And
3:21
just a little side note, guys, uh we
3:23
actually had the folks at Stack Cyber
3:25
Security do a little experiment with our
3:27
work badges and also my house keys. I
3:30
got to say the work badges, they're good
3:31
to go, but the house keys lately I've
3:34
been finding myself trying to move them
3:36
to a new spot where I'll remember them
3:38
because I'm trying to keep them away
3:40
from the front door. We're live this
3:42
morning. I'm Shante Pasmore, Local 4.
3:44
Yeah, that's something you wouldn't
3:45
think about. Shante, just any idea on
3:47
how widespread this is in Michigan?
3:51
So, here's the thing. The BBB tells me
3:53
it hasn't received any reports. But
3:55
here's the thing. It's actually concern
3:57
that this is happening to folks and they
3:59
don't even know it. And we got to
4:00
remember we're entering a busy time of
4:02
the year with the shopping, with the
4:04
shows, and the traveling. Just think
4:05
about how often we're
4:06
shouldertoshoulder. So, just uh just a
4:09
word of caution. And just be mindful of
4:10
course of your surroundings. Sending it
4:12
back to you.
4:13
Good heads up. Okay, Shante. Thank you
4:14
so much.