Do you pay by phone? Check how not to lose money

Alior Bank has published a message regarding the security of contactless payments. The bank draws attention to the dynamic increase in NFC crimes in smartphones. According to the ESET Threat Report, in the first half of 2025 the number of frauds using this technology was up to 35 times greater than before. This is particularly disturbing when non -cash forms of payment are already responsible for nearly 70 percent. all transactions.

NFC technology

NFC technology is used for wirelessly exchange data over a short distance and allows you to pay by card, phone or even a ring. This is a convenience that unfortunately attracts cyber criminals. According to Alior Bank’s warning, attacks focus mainly at two moments: when evaporating the payment application with the card and when making the payment itself. This first stage is particularly attractive to fraudsters, because it allows you to quickly take over the funds from the victim’s account.

Phishing is the most commonly used method. Criminals impersonate financial institutions and urge you to download fake banking applications. The user, by introducing sensitive login data or card data in substituted forms, actually transfers them to the attackers, which may result in unauthorized transactions and loss of money.

Principles of protection

Alior Bank reminds of the basic principles of protection. The key is to avoid installing unauthorized programs and enter data only in verified, official places. It is worth checking the history of the operation and setting payment limits on an ongoing basis – this helps to catch and limit the effects of possible abuse faster. The bank also draws attention to the physical security of mobile devices: protecting the phone with code or biometry reduces the risk of using a payment application by unauthorized persons.

If you lose your smartphone, card or other payment medium, the device should be blocked immediately and the event be submitted to the bank. A quick response can stop transactions and reduce losses. The increase in the scale of abuse described in the ESET report and emphasized by Alior Bank shows that caution for contactless payments is becoming necessary today. The use of simple rules – from installing only trusted applications, through careful verification of messages, to the control of limits – realistically increases the security level of all customers using NFC.