Tap-to-pay scam in Michigan: Woman loses $1,000 after agreeing to donate $50

By Susan Tompor, USA TODAY NETWORK Published: 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 quickly. Consumers should be on alert.

And the criminals 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 donating $50 and did not check the exact dollar amount on the payment system.

Later that evening, after reviewing her account, she 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 two things: your willingness to be helpful and your tendency to be in a hurry.

• A stranger approaches you with a story—raising money for a sick relative, covering funeral costs, collecting for a charity, or similar.
• They ask for a relatively small donation.
• They request you use the tap-to-pay feature on your card or mobile wallet.
• Instead of the small amount you intend, they steal a much larger sum through your credit or debit card.

Pro tip: Walk on by. Hold tight to your phone or tap-to-pay cards when a stranger shares a sob story in public.

Real Losses Reported

This in-person scam is costing consumers real money. According to a Better Business Bureau (BBB) alert:

• One consumer lost $537 after 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 your card—a technique called "ghost tapping."

According to the BBB:

• 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.
• However, this type of scam appears very limited in scope.

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. The scammers use a device to collect data off your card.

Key Takeaways

• Always verify the exact amount displayed on the payment screen before tapping.
• Do not let strangers rush you through a payment process.
• Be cautious of unsolicited donation requests in public places.
• Monitor your accounts regularly for unauthorized transactions.