What to know about digital wallet fraud

Digital wallet scams can take many forms, from phishing scams and fake wallet apps to account takeovers.

This article explores various types of digital wallet scams and provides essential tips to help keep money safe when using this form of payment.

What is a digital wallet?

A digital wallet is a secure app that allows people to pay online or with their phone by storing payment information, such as credit cards, debit cards, and other payment methods. Mobile wallets, a type of digital wallet, are often used to make contactless payments or tap-to-pay purchases.

Mobile wallets use advanced security technologies like tokenization to protect sensitive financial information. Tokenization replaces actual card details with unique digital tokens during transactions, ensuring that the real card information is never exposed. This method enhances the security of digital transactions.

Potential safety risks of digital wallets

While digital wallets offer convenience and advanced security features, they are not risk-free. As millions of people around the world turn to digital wallets, scammers are actively seeking to expose any vulnerabilities.

Here's a list of some safety risks to be aware of when using various types of digital wallets.

Payment fraud

Payment fraud involves unauthorized transactions made using a digital wallet. This type of fraud occurs when a fraudster gains access to a digital wallet and makes purchases or withdrawals without the owner's consent. Monitoring account activity regularly and reporting any suspicious transactions immediately can help prevent payment fraud.

Machine learning threats

Fraudsters sometimes use sophisticated machine learning techniques to bypass security measures. These techniques can analyze and predict security patterns, making it possible for criminals to hack into digital wallets and steal stored credit card information.

Third-party vulnerabilities

Vulnerabilities in apps or systems linked to a digital wallet can be exploited by fraudsters. If an app or system connected to a digital wallet has security flaws, it can provide a gateway for unauthorized access.

Users should ensure that they download regular updates for apps linked to their digital wallets to keep security measures up to date.

Data breaches

Data breaches at companies storing digital wallet information can expose sensitive data to cyber criminals. These data breaches are exploited by hackers who seek to gain unauthorized access to personal and financial information.

Data breach incidents can affect millions of users at a time, so it is important to be aware of them and understand how they can impact digital wallet security.

Phishing attacks

Phishing scams are deceptive attempts to trick individuals into revealing their digital wallet login credentials or other personal information. Fraudsters often send emails or messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or payment service, containing links to fake websites that capture sensitive information.

To protect against phishing attacks, treat any communication requesting personal information with extreme caution and avoid clicking on suspicious links.

Device theft or loss

A lost or stolen phone with a compromised digital wallet can be vulnerable to fraudulent activity. To protect against this risk, ensure that the phone is protected with strong passwords or biometric security features and that the digital wallet app is set up with additional security measures, like two-factor authentication.

In the event of a lost or stolen phone, immediately contact the financial institutions associated with the digital wallet and any stored payment information to freeze accounts and prevent unauthorized access and credit card fraud.

Safeguarding against digital wallet fraud

Following guidance around best practices is crucial to increasing digital wallet security. Here are some essential tips:

• Enable two-factor authentication: Adding an extra layer of security makes it harder for fraudsters to access accounts.
• Use strong and unique passwords: Ensure passwords are complex and not reused across different accounts.
• Regularly monitor account activity: Regular checks can help detect unauthorized transactions early.
• Keep software updated: Updates often include security patches that protect against new threats.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi: Public networks are less secure and more susceptible to hacking.
• Be cautious of phishing attempts: Always verify the authenticity of communications requesting personal information.
• Use biometric authentication: Where possible, use fingerprint or facial recognition for added security.
• Set up alerts for suspicious activities: Alerts can notify users of potential fraud immediately.

If mobile wallet fraud occurs, contact the digital wallet provider and the financial institutions linked to the compromised accounts to report the fraud and take necessary actions.

PayPal offers built-in security measures to protect against attacks and threats to digital wallets.