Technology
Why that $4 charge on your statement could be fraud
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A $4 charge is easy to ignore. It might appear as a parking fee, a small purchase or a vague merchant name that doesn’t raise any red flags. Consumer protection groups and law enforcement say scammers are counting on that.
Recent warnings describe a pattern sometimes called “ghost tapping,” where small, unfamiliar charges show up on contactless payment cards without a clear point of purchase. The amounts are easy to miss, but they can signal unauthorized access to your payment method rather than a simple billing error.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report. Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.
GHOST-TAPPING SCAM TARGETS TAP-TO-PAY USERS
A small, unfamiliar charge can be the first sign your payment details are being tested without your knowledge. (Leonie Asendorpf/picture alliance via Getty Images)
How does ghost tapping work?
Better Business Bureau (BBB) warnings use the term “ghost tapping” to describe these incidents in consumer alerts. In simple terms, it means a payment can be triggered without you actively making a purchase.
One reported method involves compromised payment terminals that quietly process low-value contactless charges. Another involves unauthorized NFC readers operating at close range, sometimes in crowded places. In these cases, a card or mobile wallet can be charged within inches.
Because these transactions run through standard contactless payment networks, they appear as normal card-present purchases. There is usually no clear sign on your statement that anything was wrong.
The small charges aren’t arbitrary
Low-dollar transactions are used to confirm that a card can be charged without being declined. When a small charge goes through, it signals that the payment details are active and usable. Once that charge goes through, it establishes a working payment path. Scammers can then run additional transactions using the same card details, sometimes across different merchants or terminals. Many people only notice these charges after they post to an account. At that point, the transaction appears as a completed purchase, not a pending authorization.
Why acting quickly matters
This means a charge that looks harmless could actually be the first step in a larger fraud attempt. Over time, these fraudulent charges may extend beyond a single card. If your payment details have been exposed or are stored in a compromised system, they can be reused until you cancel the card. That can result in multiple charges over several days or even billing cycles.
Delays in reporting also affect how quickly you can stop fraud. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises you to report unauthorized charges as soon as they are identified. In practice, that means contacting your card issuer as soon as you see a charge you don’t recognize, either through the issuer’s app or customer service line.
Credit cards typically offer stronger fraud protections than debit cards, where money may be withdrawn directly from your bank account. Under federal law, liability for unauthorized credit card charges is limited, but those protections depend on when you report it.
Scammed? What federal agencies say to do next
If you spot a charge you don’t recognize, acting quickly can limit damage and protect your rights under federal law.
Review transactions as they post
The FTC recommends checking account activity regularly and flagging any unfamiliar charges as soon as they appear.
Contact your card issuer immediately
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) advises reporting the charge right away and opening a dispute through your issuer’s app or customer service line.
Submit a formal dispute within 60 days
To preserve protections under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you must send a billing error notice within 60 days of the statement that includes the charge.
Understand the investigation timeline
Card issuers must acknowledge your dispute within 30 days and resolve it within two billing cycles, typically no more than 90 days.
Confirm the charge details before disputing
Check the merchant name, date and amount, since some transactions may appear under payment processors or parent companies.
Replace or block the card if needed
If the charge is unauthorized, the issuer can cancel the card and issue a replacement to stop further transactions.
Scammers often use small charges to confirm your card works before making larger unauthorized transactions. (Clara Margais/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Simply keeping an eye on your accounts may not be enough
Even if you check your statements regularly, small charges can still slip through and delay detection.
Timing can work against you
A lot hinges on when you check your account. If you review transactions infrequently or rely on monthly statements, unauthorized charges may only surface after they’ve already posted. By then, multiple transactions can appear across different dates or merchant names, making them harder to spot.
Alerts don’t always catch small charges
Notifications are not always consistent across accounts. Some banks alert you only after a transaction is completed, while others set thresholds that don’t flag low-dollar amounts. That can allow small charges to slip through without notice. If the same payment details are used elsewhere, activity may not appear in one place.
Ways to protect yourself from ghost tapping
These simple steps can help reduce your risk and catch suspicious charges before they turn into bigger fraud.
1) Turn on transaction alerts
Set up real-time alerts for all charges, even small ones, so you can spot suspicious activity immediately.
2) Use mobile wallets when possible
Apple Pay and Google Pay use tokenization, which means your real card number is not shared with merchants.
3) Keep your card secure in crowded places
Contactless cards can be read at close range, so avoid leaving them exposed in busy environments.
4) Check your accounts more frequently
Do not rely on monthly statements. Review transactions every few days to catch issues early.
How broader monitoring can help
Even with these steps, some suspicious activity may not show up in one place or right away. That’s where broader monitoring comes in. Identity and credit monitoring services are designed to track changes tied to your financial and personal information as they happen. This can include transaction monitoring along with three-bureau credit monitoring, so activity linked to your identity can be seen across accounts and credit files at the same time. That includes new inquiries, account openings and changes that would not appear in any one banking app.
Some services also scan known data breach records and dark web marketplaces for exposed personal information. If your data appears in those sources, you can receive an alert tied to the specific identifier that was found.
HOW DEBIT CARD FRAUD CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT USING THE CARD
If suspicious activity is detected, many platforms offer tools to take action quickly. This may include locking your credit file and working with a U.S.-based fraud resolution team to contact card issuers, dispute charges and close affected accounts.
Some identity protection services also include insurance coverage, often up to $1 million per adult, to help cover eligible losses and legal fees, along with 24/7 fraud resolution support to help restore your identity.
No service can prevent every kind of identity theft. If it happens, monitoring and guided support can make recovery easier to manage.
How to check if your personal information was exposed
If you are unsure whether your personal information has already been exposed, take action now. Our No. 1 identity theft protection pick includes a free identity breach scan, which allows you to see whether your data appears in known leaks. Early detection gives you more control and helps you respond before fraud spreads.
See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com.
Catching a suspicious charge early and reporting it quickly can help stop further fraud before it escalates. (M. Scott Brauer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Kurt’s key takeaways
A small charge is easy to ignore, especially when it blends in with everyday purchases. But as these reports show, that’s exactly what scammers are counting on. A few dollars can be the first sign that your payment details are active and vulnerable, giving attackers a way to test and expand access without raising alarms.
The sooner you catch it, the easier it is to stop. This is one of those situations where habits matter. Checking your transactions regularly, acting quickly on anything unfamiliar and adding an extra layer of monitoring can make a real difference. Fraud doesn’t always start big, but it often starts small.
Have you ever spotted a small charge you almost ignored that turned out to be fraud, and how did you handle it? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report. Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
The Kane Parsons’ film Backrooms is expected to earn up to $90 million in its opening weekend after pulling down $38 million on Friday alone. That’s not only above expectations, but absolutely obliterates A24’s previous opening weekend record of $25.5 million for Alex Garland’s Civil War. It’s also a better opening day than The Mandalorian and Grogu, which only pulled down $33.7 million on its way to a total $81.6 million for the weekend.
That also means that Backrooms is an incredibly profitable movie, with an estimated $10 million budget. By comparison, the latest Star Wars disappointment cost $165 million and was considered affordable compared to other entries in the series.
While Backrooms hasn’t received quite as much universal praise as fellow low-budget horror breakout Obsession, it’s still largely getting positive reviews. It also adds to the growing number of YouTube creators (including Obsession’s Curry Barker) who have proven to be successful box office draws.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A freight truck with no driver, no cab and no one sitting behind the wheel is starting to sound more familiar. In fact, this summer, that is exactly what is happening on local roads in Marysville, Ohio.
EASE Logistics, an Ohio-based logistics company, is partnering with autonomous truck technology company Einride to deploy two cab-less electric trucks between EASE warehouse locations. The two companies recently announced the proof-of-concept service.
The trucks will operate on EASE property and local public roads. They will move goods between warehouse locations while the companies collect data on warehousing, distribution and transportation operations.
The project is part of the Ohio Department of Transportation’s DriveOhio Truck Automation Corridor Project, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Transportation. The goal is to study how autonomous trucking affects operations, safety and freight efficiency.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
AI TRUCK SYSTEM MATCHES TOP HUMAN DRIVERS IN MASSIVE SAFETY SHOWDOWN WITH PERFECT SCORES
Autonomous cab-less electric trucks are beginning real-world freight testing this summer on local roads in Marysville, Ohio, as EASE Logistics and Einride launch a new pilot program. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What are cab-less electric trucks?
These are not regular trucks with a driver waiting to take over. Einride’s vehicles are electric, autonomous and cab-less. That means there is no traditional driver’s seat, steering wheel area or cab built for a human operator.
The trucks use SAE Level 4 autonomous technology. In other words, the vehicle can drive itself under specific approved conditions without a human driver inside.
However, the trucks will still have human oversight. A remote operator will monitor them from off-site and can intervene when needed. The companies say that setup helps keep operations running safely and smoothly during the test.
Where will the autonomous trucks operate?
The trucks will move freight between EASE Logistics warehouses in Marysville, Ohio. They will operate during the summer of 2026 on private property and local public roads.
That detail makes a difference because many autonomous vehicle tests happen in controlled settings. This project moves closer to normal freight work. These trucks will operate inside daily logistics
EASE says the deployment will generate data on how autonomous trucks affect warehouse movement, distribution timing and transportation operations. The companies want to see how this technology performs in the real world, where freight schedules and traffic conditions rarely behave perfectly.
THE ROAD TO PROSPERITY WILL BE PAVED BY AUTONOMOUS TRUCKING
EASE Logistics and Einride will operate driverless electric freight trucks between Ohio warehouse locations while collecting data on safety, efficiency and logistics operations. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Why Ohio is testing cab-less electric trucks
Ohio has become an active testing ground for truck automation. This deployment extends the Ohio Department of Transportation and DriveOhio’s Truck Automation Corridor Project, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Transportation. The project is designed to evaluate how autonomous technology affects operations, safety and freight efficiency.
EASE President and CEO Peter Coratola, Jr., said, “EASE is proud to continue advancing the Truck Automation Corridor Project alongside DriveOhio and innovative partners like Einride.” He added, “Deployments like this help move autonomous trucking from controlled pilots into daily freight operations, where safety, reliability, and efficiency can be evaluated at scale.”
This also marks EASE Logistics’ third autonomous trucking deployment with DriveOhio. That puts the company among a small group of logistics providers testing multiple autonomous freight platforms in live operations.
How safe are cab-less electric trucks?
When people hear “driverless truck,” their first thought may not be efficiency. It may be, “What happens if something goes wrong?”
That reaction is fair. These vehicles are large, heavy and operate near the public. So safety will shape how people judge this project.
Einride CEO Roozbeh Charli said, “Deploying these autonomous trucks in daily logistics operations with EASE reflects years of rigorous development and real-world validation.” He added, “Safety is not a feature we add to our technology; it is the foundation everything is built on.”
The companies also say a remote operator monitors the trucks off-site and can intervene if needed. That detail helps, but the public will still want clear answers about routes, oversight, emergency response and how remote operators step in. Those answers will become more important as autonomous trucks leave closed test areas and enter everyday traffic.
Why companies want driverless freight
For logistics companies, the appeal is easy to understand. Electric autonomous trucks could help move freight with fewer emissions, more predictable scheduling and tighter warehouse coordination.
Short warehouse-to-warehouse routes also make sense for early autonomous deployments. The route is limited. The operation is easier to study. The company can collect useful data without starting with long-haul trucking across several states.
Still, the rollout will need to prove itself. Trucks must handle traffic, road conditions, pedestrians and unexpected behavior from human drivers. Those moments will test whether autonomous freight can deliver on its promise.
The future of autonomous trucking
Autonomous trucking has moved from bold promise to real-world testing. Yet the industry still has to earn public confidence.
This Ohio deployment gives EASE, Einride and transportation officials a chance to gather useful data. It also gives the public a closer look at what driverless freight looks like.
The cab-less design may be the most striking part. Removing the cab signals a bigger shift. These trucks are built around the idea that the vehicle, software and remote operations team can handle the job.
That marks a major change in how freight has worked for generations.
TESLA BUILDS A CAR WITH NO STEERING WHEEL. NOW WHAT?
Ohio officials are expanding autonomous freight testing with cab-less electric trucks operating on public roads under remote human supervision this summer. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What this means to you
You may not live near Marysville, Ohio. Still, this test matters because it shows where freight transportation is heading.
If the project works well, more companies could look at autonomous trucks for warehouse-to-warehouse routes. That could change how goods move before they ever reach store shelves or your front door.
It could also raise new questions for workers. Logistics companies may need more people who can monitor, maintain and manage autonomous systems. At the same time, drivers and warehouse workers will want honest answers about how these trucks could affect jobs over time.
For consumers, the biggest issue may be trust. People will want proof that these vehicles can operate safely around regular traffic. They will also want transparency when something goes wrong.
Join CyberGuy Live: Lock Down Your Phone in 30 Minutes (Saturday, June 13, 10 am ET)
Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. In this free, live online class, Kurt the CyberGuy will walk you step by step through simple phone security fixes you can do in real time. You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected. Register here: CyberGuyLive.com
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Kurt’s key takeaways
Cab-less electric trucks on Ohio roads may sound alarming at first. But this project shows how quickly autonomous freight is moving into real logistics work. The EASE and Einride deployment still has plenty to prove. Safety, public trust, worker impact and day-to-day reliability will all matter. However, this summer’s test could give the trucking industry a clearer look at what comes next. Driverless freight may start with short warehouse routes. Over time, it could reshape how goods move across the country.
Would you feel comfortable sharing the road with a cab-less electric truck if no driver was inside, but a remote operator was watching from miles away? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
It’s the world’s worst kept secret that Nvidia is about to announce its own Arm-powered laptop chips at Computex this weekend, and now Microsoft, Nvidia, and Arm are all openly teasing the announcement. The Windows and Nvidia GeForce accounts on X both posted “A new era of PC” earlier today, and now Arm has followed up with an identical post.
All three posts include coordinates pointing to where Computex is hosted in Taipei. Nvidia is holding a Computex keynote in Taipei at 8PM PT / 11PM ET on Sunday night, where it’s rumored to be announcing its new N1 and N1x laptop chips.
These Arm-powered Nvidia processors have been long-rumored, with reports earlier this year suggesting that both Lenovo and Dell have been preparing new laptops with the N1X chips. We first heard rumors about Nvidia’s laptop processors in 2023, and Dell CEO Michael Dell hinted at the possibility of an AI PC with Nvidia during an interview in 2024.
Nvidia’s entry into Windows on Arm will mean Qualcomm will no longer have an exclusive license for Microsoft’s Windows 11 Arm variant of its operating system. That’s good news for laptop competition, even if Qualcomm is trying to keep entry-level laptops affordable with its new Snapdragon C platform.
-
Utah1 minute agoMan guilty of crash that killed Utah CEO and his daughter gets maximum sentence – East Idaho News
-
Vermont4 minutes agoFallen solar panels in Vermont prompt environmental concerns – Valley News
-
Virginia9 minutes agoManhunt underway for suspect in Virginia accused of killing sheriff’s deputy
-
Wisconsin19 minutes ago11 Wisconsin Towns With A Slower Pace Of Life
-
West Virginia24 minutes agoWest Virginia Racing Heritage Festival showcases state’s dirt track racing history at Pennsboro Speedway
-
Wyoming31 minutes agoLummis family could cash in on Microsoft data center expansion through Cheyenne land sales
-
Crypto34 minutes agoWhat is a ‘wrench attack,’ and why are they on the rise globally?
-
Finance39 minutes agoGoldman Sachs massively resets Snowflake stock price target for 2026
