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Lancero

(3,085 posts)

2. It's not actually a tap on the machine...

Reply to inanna (Original post)

Wed Mar 18, 2015, 10:03 PM

Mar 2015

Rather, the machine was using a unencrypted wireless connection to transmit the card data. Someone knew this, and were running a packet sniffer/capturer to see what was in the data.

For intents and purposes, the polices description works though it's not completely correct.

The scariest part though is that this specific method isn't at all hard to do. The only real 'work' that goes into this is actually finding a unsecured wireless connection, which honestly isn't that hard at all.

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9 replies

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My sister-in-law was just hit with a scam [View all] inanna Mar 2015 OP

Is this something that only targets debit cards and not credit cards? SheilaT Mar 2015 #1

A lot of debit cards can be run as credits... Lancero Mar 2015 #3

My sister-in-law believes inanna Mar 2015 #4

It's not actually a tap on the machine... Lancero Mar 2015 #2

So, if I understand you correctly, the problem SheilaT Mar 2015 #5

You'd be surpised at how many places don't think to secure a wireless connection... Lancero Mar 2015 #6

I'd like to thank you, Lancero inanna Mar 2015 #7

Thank you. SheilaT Mar 2015 #8

Be aware that a debit card has different liabilities than a credit card. CK_John Mar 2015 #9