Shoppers in western Pennsylvania are being warned after a scam targeting grocery store customers surfaced in a Shaler Township Giant Eagle parking lot.
According to a report by CBS News Pittsburgh, authorities say the suspects approached people claiming to collect donations for a funeral, then asked them to pay using their debit or credit cards instead of cash (1).
Investigators say the suspects then allegedly used electronic devices to copy the card information and make unauthorized charges, and they believe the group could be operating in multiple areas.
Tap-to-pay technology and portable card readers have become a normal part of modern retail transactions, enabling contactless purchases in seconds.
As highlighted in a 2024 article by PYMNTS, Mastercard reported contactless payments accounted for 70% of its transactions as of Q3 that year (2). And according to a 2025 report from digital banking services firm Cheqly, almost 90% of consumers across the country had used contactless payments before (3).
While this method of payment is fast and convenient, it also creates opportunities for criminals to process a payment without the victim ever seeing the full transaction.
In some cases, victims may not see the total before tapping. In others, scammers can quickly adjust the amount or move the device out of view, making it easy to overcharge or capture card information.
By the time victims check their bank statements, they could discover they were charged for a much higher amount than they expected, or that their card information was compromised and used elsewhere.
But a big flaw with this scam can be exposed by savvy consumers who take their time before they donate to a cause — the pressure to pay ‘there and then’ is a huge red flag.
“It’s really important that you know exactly who you’re giving to,” Caitlin Driscoll, public relations director with the Better Business Bureau of Western Pennsylvania, told CBS (1).
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions regarding who the donation is impacting, the organization that they are collecting for. You don’t have to give on the spot.”
In a post on Facebook (4), the Shaler Township Police Department urged residents to exercise caution, saying, “Do not provide anyone soliciting money in person or over the phone with any personal or financial information. If you have questions, please feel free to contact our agency.”
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Contactless payments are a modern-day convenience that can feel safe because they’ve become so common. But it doesn’t mean that there aren’t risks.
The Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost more than $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, and that fraudsters are getting more aggressive and inventive with their tactics (5). Scammers play on people’s emotions and can use triggers like medical emergencies, funerals or disasters to exploit generosity and create urgency.
Remember that a donation is not an obligation. If you want to donate, legitimate charities and fundraisers will give you time to research them and contribute through official channels. The Better Business Bureau (6) recommends first verifying a charity via Give.org.
If someone approaches you for a donation, watch out for these red flags:
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Refuses cash and insists on a card.
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Pressures you to act immediately.
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Offers vague details about the charity or fundraiser.
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Covers the transaction amount on a tap-to-pay terminal.
If you discover unauthorized charges after a tap-to-pay transaction:
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Contact your bank or card issuer right away and report the transaction as fraudulent.
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Request a chargeback or dispute the transaction.
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Cancel or freeze your card to prevent more charges.
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Monitor your account closely for additional suspicious activity.
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Consider putting a fraud alert on your credit file.
Tap-to-pay may be a modern-day convenience, but convenience shouldn’t replace caution. You can still contribute to a cause safely, without feeling pressured to do so. If you notice any of the red flags or something feels off, walk away and report the incident to local police.
Staying alert and informed could be your best way to protect yourself and your wallet.
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CBS News (1); PYMNTS (2); Cheqly (3); Shaler Township Police Department/Facebook (4); Federal Trade Commission (5); Better Business Bureau (6)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
