Michigan woman loses $1,000 in tap-to-pay scam after agreeing to donate $50 at Walmart

By Susan Tompor, USA TODAY NETWORK Mon, July 27, 2026 at 10:30 AM PDT | 7 min read

As summer activities ramp up—from hitting fun spots to checking off back-to-school lists—scammers have devised a new scheme to steal money directly from smartphones and smartwatches.

An elaborate scam recently experienced by a young woman in metro Detroit is not yet widely reported, but experts warn it is simple enough to gain popularity. Consumers are urged to stay vigilant.

The crooks are making significant profits.

The Incident

In late June, a 29-year-old woman agreed to donate $50 after being approached at a Walmart by two individuals who appeared to be high school students.

According to the police report, the men approached her shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, and asked if she would be willing to make a donation. They told her they were raising money to travel and tour colleges.

At their suggestion, the woman used a tap-to-pay contactless payment system on her iPhone. She later told police she assumed she was giving $50 and did not check the exact dollar amount on the payment system.

Later that evening, after reviewing her account, the woman discovered the transaction had been processed for $1,000—not $50.

Walmart did not respond to questions from the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, about whether the retailer has seen an increase in similar donation requests or scams targeting shoppers.

How the Scam Works

Tap-to-pay scammers rely on victims being kind—and in a hurry.

• A stranger approaches with a story: raising money for a sick relative, covering funeral costs, collecting for a charity, etc.
• They ask for a relatively small donation.
• They request payment via the tap-to-pay feature on your card or mobile wallet.
• The scammer then processes a much larger amount without the victim noticing.

Experts warn that scammers count on people tapping without checking the amount being charged or the business name receiving the payment. They often rush victims through the process, knowing shoppers are distracted or in a hurry.

Pro tip: Walk on by. Keep your phone and tap-to-pay cards secure when approached by strangers with sob stories.

Real Losses Reported

This in-person scam is costing consumers real money.

According to a Better Business Bureau alert:

• One consumer lost $537 in a tap-to-pay scam while buying candy in a supposed door-to-door fundraiser for special needs students.
• Another victim lost $1,100.

What Is "Ghost Tapping"?

In some cases, victims lose money without even handing over their credit cards. Criminals use wireless devices to steal money without touching the card—a method called "ghost tapping."

• Scammers may attempt to get close to you in public spaces, possibly "accidentally" bumping into you, to be near enough to your phone or tap-enabled card to initiate an unauthorized payment.
• This type of scam appears limited in scope but is still a risk.

Ghost tapping refers to contactless fraud where someone does not have your credit or debit card in hand but instead tries to engineer a tap-to-pay transaction without your authorization. Scammers use a device to collect data from your card.

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