{
  "id": 3922289,
  "title": "Scammers are hijacking tap-to-pay donations to turn a $20 gift into a $2,000 charge—here’s how to protect your money",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/scammers-are-hijacking-tap-to-pay-donations-to-turn-a-20-gift-into-a",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-28T07:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fortune",
    "slug": "fortune",
    "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/08/28/scammers-hijacking-tap-to-pay-donations-how-to-protect-your-money/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Donations made through tap-to-pay models are increasingly being hijacked by scammers, transforming a modest $20 contribution into a hefty $2,000 charge. This deceptive practice is becoming more prevalent, as reported by Kurt Knutsson, the creator of the CyberGuy Report. Scammers capitalize on the convenience of tap-to-pay systems, hoping recipients overlook the altered transaction amount. This tactic not only undermines the trust between donors and nonprofit organizations but also undermines the confidence of millennials and Gen Z, who value transparency and accountability in their charitable contributions. According to Bloomerang's 2026 Giving Signals Report, a significant portion of donors believe it's crucial to have confidence in the organizations they support, as only 85% trust their chosen charities to use funds appropriately. However, increased scamming activities can erode this trust, making it essential for consumers to take precautions to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes. Mary Ann Miller, a fraud and cybercrime executive advisor, warns that even if a payment is authenticated, manipulations occur during the transaction, leading to deceitful outcomes. Consequently, consumers must exercise caution and think twice before authorizing a tap-to-pay donation. Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, emphasizes that once funds are authorized, recovering them becomes significantly more challenging, particularly with instant payment methods lacking the same protections as credit cards. To safeguard against such scams, consumers are advised to take charge of their charitable giving. Instead of relying on unsolicited offers, they should carefully select their preferred charities and verify their legitimacy through accredited charity websites before making any donations. By actively participating in the decision-making process, donors can mitigate the risk of falling prey to fraudulent schemes and maintain trust in genuine philanthropic organizations.",
  "summary": "As tap-to-pay makes street donations effortless, fraudsters are quietly inflating charges.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}