EXPERTS are warning of a new mobile banking scam where thieves can steal customers’ money in seconds.
Con artists are using a new method called “shoulder surfing” to steal thousands of pounds worth of cash.
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Shoulder surfing is when a potential hacker can look over your shoulder to find out sensitive phone security or privacy information such as a PIN or a password.
One victim lost £70,000 last year when he was pickpocketed on a night out.
Jacopo de Simone was forced to go through a 10-month battle with his bank to prove he was innocent.
He told the BBC: “I was stopped in my tracks a little bit, I froze and tried to regain my thoughts and thought ‘OK, what’s the best approach here?’.
“I was completely frightened and alarming to see all your hard-earned money taken away from you.
“I was in complete shock about how it could have happened.”
Now Jacopo is much more wary about how he uses his mobile phone while he is in public.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
To prevent shoulder surfing, experts suggest a number of tips for smartphone owners.
For starters, people should shield paperwork or their keypad from view by using their bodies or cupping their hands.
That includes, for example, covering the ATM keypad when entering your PIN.
You can also use a privacy screen on your laptop or mobile device, which prevents onlookers from seeing your screen.
You should also be using strong passwords, two-factor authentication, or biometric authentication for added security layers.
When in public, it’s best to avoid saying any sensitive information over the phone.
Additionally, always lock your devices whenever you leave them somewhere, such as in the office.
He explained: “This has completely changed how I use my banking apps today.
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“I try not to [keep] the apps on the phone themselves.
“I find the threat of losing your phone and losing all your money is not worth having it all so easily accessible to you.”
Cyber security expert Jake Moore is warning Brits to be more careful.
He told MailOnline: “Shoulder surfing is when criminals view victims’ passcodes to unlock their phones so they can access the phone once it is stolen.
“The same number can also open up the password vault on the phone and that is where criminals can use those passwords to enter bank accounts and even move money.
“If any fraud warnings are sent via a text message the criminal is still in possession of the phone to accept or even ignore an SMS text.
“It is difficult to catch those people in the act of doing so but the moment you may find your phone missing it is worth contacting your bank to make them aware that they can freeze it.
“If you have your bank cards attached to your phone via Apple Pay or Google Pay you want to freeze those as well.”
