NFC-equipped smartphones can be used to copy data from contactless credit cards, according to a report by Channel 4 News. It showed security company ViaForensics successfully copying a cardholder’s name and card number from a Barclays Visa card. Attempts to access card information from other providers wasn’t successful.
It means a criminal could copy card data by touching someone’s wallet or jacket in a crowded space. This could then be used for online transactions with some retailers.
Visa and Barclays said their NFC cards don’t breach privacy guidelines, pointing out that PIN codes and Card Verification Value (CVV) codes aren’t transmitted. Barclays noted that the only information available via the NFC smartphone is the same information printed on the front of a card.
[Channel 4 report]