n January 2026, police in Wednesfield and Heath Town are warning residents about "digital pickpocketing." This involves scammers using handheld card readers or mobile apps to trigger unauthorized payments from your contactless cards while they are tucked in your pocket or bag.
Where to be Careful
Scammers target crowded areas where physical contact is common and ignored:
Bentley Bridge Shopping Park: Particularly in busy queues or crowded gift shops.
Public Transport: During peak travel times on buses or at Wolverhampton station.
Heath Town Markets: Busy high-footfall areas where people are distracted by shopping.
Top Protection Tips
RFID-Blocking Sleeves: Use an RFID-blocking wallet or individual sleeves. These are lined with metal to block the radio frequency signals used by contactless readers.
The "Card Sandwich": Keep your contactless cards in the middle of your wallet, sandwiched between non-contactless cards (like loyalty cards or your ID). This can sometimes scramble the signal for the reader.
Mobile Wallets: Using Apple Pay or Google Pay on your phone is actually more secure than a physical card. These services require biometric authentication (Face ID or fingerprint) and do not broadcast your actual card number.
Check Your Statements: Use your banking app to set up instant transaction notifications. If a scammer successfully "taps" your pocket, you will know immediately.
What to do if Targeted
If you see an unauthorized transaction on your statement:
Freeze your card immediately using your banking app.
Report the fraud to your bank’s security team.
Log it with Action Fraud: Report the incident via the Action Fraud online portal or call 0300 123 2040.
