Fourteen tap-to-pay scams have swept across Evanston since early November, costing individual residents thousands of dollars on average, according to the Evanston Police Department.
Scammers have reportedly approached potential victims in public and sought donations for fictitious charitable causes. But instead of cash, they allegedly requested contactless credit or debit card payments, through which scammers could access victims’ financial information.
Four individuals were arrested in relation to an investigation into the scams, according to a Dec. 22 EPD statement.
The EPD investigation identified four potential suspects who were “engaging with a potential victim” on Chicago Avenue on Dec. 19. Police apprehended three suspects after a brief foot chase, while another was taken into custody after attempting to escape in a vehicle and allegedly striking a squad car, the news release read.
The department then reported another tap-to-pay incident on Jan. 4.
“I think that for someone to represent themselves as a charity, then turn around and scam someone is a very egregious thing to do, so I find it just appalling,” 4th Ward resident Gregory Luick said.
After seeing an increase in tap-to-pay scams during November and December, EPD issued a public warning on Dec. 19. The statement urged residents to be cautious of donation requests involving card payment, monitor their credit card and bank statements, enable fraud alerts and never hand over credit cards or cellphones to strangers, among other preventative measures.
A majority of the scams have occurred near Northwestern’s campus, places with “high foot traffic” and outside of various city retail locations, including the CVS and Target stores on Sherman Avenue, according to EPD Cmdr. Ryan Glew.
He said the scammers likely targeted NU’s campus because college students are “less jaded by life.” He added that sometimes “they’re a little more giving.”
While 1st Ward resident Ella Marin had not seen the EPD’s public warning, she said she’s “very aware” of people approaching her in public, especially when she’s with her two-year-old son. She found the sympathetic nature of Evanston’s tap-to-pay scams frightening.
“If it’s for charity work, I would never think twice,” Marin said. “I would just think, ‘Oh, they’re doing something nice,’ so I don’t mind talking to them, sometimes giving my information or donating.”
Aside from vigilantly checking bank and credit statements, not much can be done once someone unwillingly shares their financial information, said consumer rights attorney Larry Smith.
In cases like the Evanston tap-to-pay scams, Smith said recourse for victims becomes “a matter of recovery” instead of prevention.
EPD’s warning urged residents to “immediately” contact their bank or credit card company directly if they suspect their financial information has been breached by scammers.
Under the Electronic Fund Transfers Act of 1978, banks are legally obligated to investigate fraud or identity theft claims and report their findings within 10 business days. If the claims are substantive, banks must also reimburse customers for their losses.
According to EPD, falsified receipts were also given to victims of December’s scams. Smith advised victims to hold onto their receipts, even if fraudulent, because they can serve as evidence for the bank.
Corporate transactional and structural attorney Dan Cotter said identity theft scams have become “much smarter in terms of their sophistication.” He said all tap-to-pay transactions should be treated with the same caution as traditional credit card payments.
“The biggest word of caution is never tap on a stranger’s phone or an unbranded handheld device,” Cotter said. “If you won’t hand your credit card to a stranger, don’t tap on their phone.”
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