POS Machine Swipe Trick Scam by SMS

How it looks by SMS, the red flags and what to do.

SMS scams lean on short, urgent lines and a shortened link. The message looks official because the sender name (header) is shaped to resemble a real organisation. POS Machine Swipe Trick Scam is one of the ways this shows up: A shop or hotel staff member uses a hidden reader, double swipes or changes the amount on a card machine to take more than you agreed.

What pos machine swipe trick scam looks like by SMS

• A sender name that resembles a bank, courier, tax or utility, or an ordinary mobile number.
• A very short message with a deadline such as "today" or "within 24 hours".
• A shortened or oddly spelled link that does not match the real website.

A dishonest staff member takes the card away from the table or counter, often saying the machine is at the back or the network is poor there. Out of your sight, the card is swiped on a second reader or on the same machine twice. Some keep a small skimming device in a pocket that stores the magnetic stripe data in a second.

Red flags to check on the text message

• Your card is taken out of your sight to be swiped.
• The waiter says the table machine is not working.
• The screen is turned away while the amount is entered.
• A second slip appears that you did not sign.
• The message asks for an OTP, PIN, card number or password.
• It threatens blocking, arrest, disconnection or a fine unless you act at once.

What to do

1. Insist that the machine comes to your table or that you walk to the counter.
2. Watch the screen and read the amount before you enter the PIN.
3. Keep SMS alerts on for every card transaction.
4. Paste the text into a scam checker (Safeavio Sentinel can check it) before you do anything else.
5. Report the sender on the Sanchar Saathi portal (Chakshu facility) and block the number.
6. Delete the message and tell family members who may get the same text.

You can report suspicious SMS and calls on the Sanchar Saathi portal (Chakshu facility) of the Department of Telecommunications.

If money or a code is already gone

1. Call your bank on the number printed on the back of your card and ask to block the card.
2. Call 1930 if you see a transaction you did not make.
3. Report on https://cybercrime.gov.in with the bill, slip and bank alerts.
4. Keep the shop slip and note the time and branch of the shop.

National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930; report at cybercrime.gov.in.

Safeavio's Money Shield checklist covers 'verify before you pay', including checking the amount and receiver before you enter any PIN. It cannot see a card machine or stop a swipe in a shop. It can help you pause on message links or QR codes that follow a bad experience, so you do not fall into a second scam during the refund hunt.

Full guide: POS Machine Swipe Trick Scam: how it works, signs and what to do. Other channels: fake app, phone call.

Questions