LONDON—A U.K. consumer group is asserting that a security flaw in contactless bankcards makes them vulnerable to fraud.
Tests by consumer group Which? show that thieves can steal the details of debit and credit cards using easily obtained scanning equipment, the London Evening Standard reported.
The researchers were able to buy a £3,000 television using the "stolen" data. The group tested contactless payments with six debit cards and four credit cards—and the scanners were able to extract key details including card numbers and expiration dates every time, the Standard reported.
The security risk was exposed after data from the U.K. Cards Association revealed more than £2 billion was spent through contactless payments last year, as the system continues to grow rapidly in popularity in the country.
Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com, Birmingham, Ala., said that the contactless cards tested were plastic, and does not think the security concerns extend to mobile contactless payments.
“But contactless (plastic) payments here in the U.S. are growing,” said Hardekopf. “They are not prevalent, but more retailers are offering them, including contactless payments from key fob devices.”