Most Malaysians use NFC every day without even realising it. Whether you’re tapping your debit card at a mamak, using Samsung Wallet to pay for groceries, scanning into your office building, or passing through public transport gates, chances are you’re relying on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.
NFC is what makes these quick “tap-and-go” experiences possible. It allows two devices placed close together to exchange information almost instantly, making payments and access more convenient than ever.
But as digital payments become increasingly common, scammers are finding new ways to exploit them. Recent warnings from authorities around the world have highlighted a worrying trend: fraudsters are combining social engineering scams with NFC technology to steal money and sensitive personal information from unsuspecting victims.
And for Malaysians, this should sound familiar. We have all heard stories of scammers posing as bank officers, parcel delivery companies, insurance representatives, government agencies, or customer service agents.
Their goal is often the same: create panic, establish trust, and convince victims to take actions they normally wouldn”t.
The latest NFC scams follow a similar playbook.
A scammer may call claiming that you are entitled to a refund, compensation payment, or account reimbursement. They then persuade you to install an application or grant remote access to your smartphone under the guise of helping process the refund.
Once the scammer gains access, they may instruct you to switch on NFC and place your bank card near your phone. While it may seem harmless, this can allow sensitive card information to be captured and used for unauthorised transactions.
