Can someone steal from me using a fake contactless card reader?
Contactless card skimming is technically possible but rare in practice. The more common fraud risks involve tampered ATMs and point-of-sale terminals.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Concerns about someone holding a covert contactless reader near your wallet are widespread but largely overstated. Actual contactless theft requires extremely close proximity (a few centimetres), is limited to small amounts, and generates a transaction record that triggers fraud alerts. Real-world card fraud is far more commonly linked to ATM skimming devices that record card details and PINs, compromised point-of-sale terminals in shops, and card-detail phishing. Contactless payments on mobile devices (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are generally more secure than physical cards because they use tokenisation and biometric authentication. Carrying cards in an RFID-blocking sleeve provides peace of mind but is unlikely to prevent the most common fraud types you actually face.
Common red flags
- ATM card slot looks different from usual, feels loose, or has an unusual overlay
- ATM has a different-coloured keypad or a camera-like object above the screen
- Unexpected small transaction on your statement you cannot account for
- Someone stands unusually close in a queue without an obvious reason
What to do now
- Check ATMs for skimming overlays before inserting your card
- Cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN
- Enable transaction alerts on your banking app to catch unusual activity quickly
- Report suspicious ATMs to your bank and the ATM operator immediately
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy an RFID-blocking wallet?
RFID wallets reduce an already small risk. They are unlikely to protect you from the more common fraud types such as phishing and ATM skimming, but are harmless to use.