While Apple Pay is one of the easiest and most secure ways to pay for goods and services, that doesn’t mean bad actors aren’t out there doing their best to use Apple Pay to take money out of your bank account.
When TikToker Hanna (@mamaahannaa) decided to help two young two men raise money for their community college outside of a Target department store, she was the victim of a new scam.
In a TikTok video, Hanna tells the sad tale of how she was approached outside of the store by two young men who told her they were selling chocolates to raise money for their Christian community college. Hanna decided to purchase $10 worth of candy to support the duo.
@mamaahannaa I want to clarify I used an @Apple Pay credit card! I would think they have better fraud protection! They were claiming to be a part of Christian Community College in Redlands. Dm me if you have any info on these guys, I do not stand for people scamming people like this. I know I’m not the only one they’ve done this to! #applepay #fraud #scammers #scammeralert #findhim #greenscreen ♬ original sound – Hanna
In a follow-up video, Hanna explained that she had already double-tapped her phone, done Face ID, and was ready to pay, but as it normally happens, she expected the guy to show her his screen with the payment info first before tapping to pay.
Instead, he tapped it himself without showing her the amount he would charge.
“I think he was just hoping I’d just walk away to my car with my chocolates and not ask any questions,” Hanna said.
Startled by the quick transaction, Hanna asked for a receipt, and the boy immediately started apologizing.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I overcharged you. Let me refund you this. Hold on, I’m sorry,” the boy said.
“OK, how much did you overcharge me?” Hanna asked.
At that moment, the Apple Pay notification came up. He charged her $975 for a transaction that was supposed to be $10. Now, had he charged $100 or even $1,000, it would have been more believable since it means he could have actually hit a few extra zeros. However, the numbers you must click to get to $975 are not similar to $10.
Although Hanna immediately contacted Apple Pay support, she was told that there wasn’t sufficient evidence to prove that she didn’t mean to pay the disputed amount.
She then contacted Apple Card issuer Goldman Sachs and was informed that could take up to 90 days to resolve the issue.
As reported by The Daily Dot, scammers may hang around booths or vendors at crowded events and attempt to insert themselves into a tap-to-pay transaction before it can be initiated by the seller.
Never bring up Apple Pay to be ready ahead of paying. Users who are paying via tap-to-pay using Apple Pay or similar systems should always check the amount being charged for a transaction amount BEFORE double-clicking your iPhone to begin an Apple Pay transaction.
Never initiate payment until you have your iPhone or Apple Watch over the trusted payment terminal or device and after you see the charged amount on the terminal or the other user’s iPhone if you’re paying using Tap to Pay on iPhone.
If you are scammed immediately reach out to the bank that issued the credit or debit card.