Bank card cloning on the London Underground

Personally I use my phone (or physical card) for the tube and buses, and I'm in London frequently. It's also how I pay for public transport at home. Never had a problem. Not to say it's not possible, but I don't see it as high risk. Even if my card is misused, there's a fair bit of protection from fradulent transactions.

If it makes you feel better, get an Oyster card, but no need to bother with a visitor Oyster card.

I am careful with my phone in London. Keep your phone on your pocket unless you're using it to pay, call, or check a map. Don't walk around using it.

I have read that scammers can “clone” bank cards from a distance.

Is no one skeptical and ask to see sources anymore? I'll call BS. The NFC for bank cards and card reader is 4cm or less.

If it is increases safety/reduced risk that is your goal, then simply buying an Oyster Card upon arrival from one of the machines by the tube is the best way to go. I'm not sure that there is a great deal of risk using your phone or credit card, but an Oyster Card certainly eliminates all risk of those accounts being compromised.

You cannot clone the contents of the chip, as part of it is burned in at the factory, and cannot be read out.

I was just in London - the vast majority of locals were using their phones to enter or exit tube stations, and I did as well - and same case on buses. If you set up your wallet with a card designated for transit, you only need to tap - no need for any additional step to authorize. Note that the gates are often supervised, and one can assume there are also cameras. So it appears to be an impractical area for someone attempting to snatch a phone.

As for the risk of having an account on your phone compromised - at least on the iPhone, it's using an alias rather than your actual account number, and everything is encrypted.

The only times I felt a need to be a bit more cautious were actually at the Christmas Markets at South Bank Centre and the area around the London Eye, where the throngs of locals and tourists packed closely together raised the potential for being pickpocketed. I never felt unsafe on the street, even late at night on deserted streets in the vicinity of Waterloo Station.

A higher risk for tourists in London is failing to "look right" - it takes a bit of adjustment, and with the complex intersections, I experienced cases where cars or buses apparantly came out of nowhere. So wait for the walk light.

You’ve gotten excellent advice so far. (I live in London and use my phone for everything - tubes, buses, buying groceries, etc.)

I would only venture to add that if you do feel like it would be safer to use an Oyster card, go for it. You can buy one at a machine in a station. No need for a visitor card, either. A regular Oyster card will do.

It will cost you £10, which is non-refundable, but that small cost might be cheap to buy peace of mind.

I would like to second what markcw said. I’m in London now and have been using my phone for the bus and tube. Nearly every gate had attendants, so not at all worried about using my phone with Apple Pay.

I have never seen London so mobbed. But I’ve also never been to London at Christmas time. Last evening after leaving the theatre in Leicester Square, the crowds were so massive I was pushed in the streets.

Keep your phone in a safe place in crowded areas, but you would be fine using it for transportation.

‘Technically’ bank cards can be cloned from a distance but it really doesn’t happen. There are much cheaper and easier ways for crooks to access your funds.

Phone thefts have been an issue in some areas of London but they aren’t going to happen inside a tube station when you are tapping in and out. Too difficult, too many people around and security cameras everywhere. Just be careful out side the station. If you need to use your phone stand near the wall and put it away as soon as you have used it. Despite the increase in numbers of this type of theft when you think how many millions of people are using their phones in London the likelihood of it happening to you is very very low.

If you will feel safer using an Oyster card get one. I commuted in London for nearly 30 years and never moved to use a credit card or phone. This was not because of safety fears. It was because I am scatty and would rather misplace an Oyster card that is easily replaceable than lose my credit card or phone.

I’m still old school and use my travel card for public transit because if you lose your phone or it gets stolen you are SOOL. Especially on vacation, I take care with my phone. Just buy an oyster card if you don’t feel comfortable.

If it's happening in London, then it has to be happening in NY City because credit cards are used for individual rides there, too. But nobody has heard anything about it. So is it really happening or something to be concerned about? Could you link to where you read this so we could give you a more informed opinion?

We'll be in London in April & we plan to use Oyster cards purchased on previous trips. We'll just top up the funds. As someone stated above, I'd rather lose my Oyster card, than misplace my phone or credit card.

I always use an Oyster card and agree with Heather…. losing an Oyster card would be an inconvenience but has an easy solution. For me a losing a credit card would cause angst and anger.

I have also read that London has been experiencing an increase in cell
phone thefts.

Here are two recent discussions on the topic:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/cell-phone-theft-article

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/be-careful-in-london-phone-thieves-are-everywhere

There are plenty of forum suggestions for phone lanyards and tethers (neck and wrist), which is wise precaution no matter where you're using your phone: https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=1y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=phone+lanyard&utf8=%E2%9C%93

You could also get a second credit card set up from a different account or bank, with a low limit on it.
Use that one while out and about while traveling and keep your primary card safe in your under-clothing money belt and use it only for emergencies.
When I’m in London I like to use an actual Oyster card.
A Visitor Oyster is different, the former is more useful.

I'm not so sure about a lanyard being a "wise precaution". I certainly don't want to be dragged down the street by the neck if someone doing 20mph on an ebike grabs my phone. If it's a normal lanyard, it will have a clip that's designed to break before that happens anyway. Locals in London don't use lanyards, not that I've seen anyway. Best precaution is to not have your phone in your hand unless you have to. Emma already detailed the best defence against phone theft further up -

If you need to use your phone stand near the wall and put it away as soon as you have used it. Despite the increase in numbers of this type of theft when you think how many millions of people are using their phones in London the likelihood of it happening to you is very very low.

I saw an attempted phone snatching for the first time a couple of weeks ago, right at the end of my street in Hackney. A young woman was standing at the street corner looking at her phone, some dude on a bike in a balaclava came up on the pavement (sidewalk) and unsuccessfully tried to grab her phone out of her hand.

I Googled to find something to support my anti-lanyard stance and found this -
https://www.streetwisedefence.com/blog/prevent-phone-from-being-stolen

I'm also in agreement with Gerry about not using a lanyard on your phone and certainly not one round your neck. In the very, very unlikely event someone does attempt to grab your phone, having it attached around your neck is a very bad idea.

I'm similarly not a fan of bags with slash proof straps. If someone grabs something off you let it go!

This is speaking from the experience of a good friend's mother, who was the victim of an attempted bag snatch in Barcelona.
She was wearing a bag with anti slash, reinforced straps across her body and when someone on a bike attempted to grab it she was dragged into the road and really hurt, as in broken bones and severe grazes.

London really is a very safe city for a tourist to visit, so don't worry!

If someone grabs something off you let it go!

This is just the sort of attitude and action that encourages thieves to ply their trade. If more people resisted and ensured there were negative consequences for criminal behavior, less crime like this would occur. And yes, I know England has bizarre and arcane laws that criminalizes self-defense or defense of property and instead protects criminals. That is to her discredit and has likely lead to the increase in crimes such as this. But I for one won't just roll over and take it as is suggested. And I wish more people would likewise resist. It would lead to much less crime. Funny also (not) how this poster goes on to describe a horrific crime with serious injury and then in the same post pretends that "London really is a very safe city." This is just delusional.

Delusional? Well my opinions are based on nearly 30 years of living in London and 26 years working in law enforcement.
I'd be interested in knowing your experience of UK crime other than what you have seen on (likely click bate driven) areas of the internet?

Funny also (not) how this poster goes on to describe a horrific crime
with serious injury and then in the same post pretends that "London
really is a very safe city." This is just delusional.Before posting it might also be helpful read what I actually wrote.

The incident I described happened in Barcelona, so what is your actual point?!

If you feel better thinking that you would be a super hero and fight back, good for you. Personally I know most people don't stand much of a chance against a criminal on a bike and think that personal safety is worth more than a smartphone.

Moorepolly, I am sorry your post has been hijacked. You need to do what makes you feel most comfortable when travelling.
If I can of any specific help on your trip to London just ask.

As you can see, there are lots of different opinions on what to do. Choose whichever way you think will work best for you.

As for me, well, I've had a Oyster Card for years. I switched to a credit card for awhile and then my phone.

When my local tube station started putting up warning signs to be wary of phone theives, I decided to switch back to the Oyster Card. I'd rather lose that than a credit card or my phone.

I also keep my phone in my pocket druing my time in the station and on the train. Let someone else be the target of potential thieves. I prefer to be aware of my surrroundingns rather than mesmerized by a phone.

In ragrds to a Visitor Oyster Card, it's reall not necessary. If you decide to go the Oyster Card route just buy a regular one at any tube station.

Just to add/reinforce a few key points:
-I've never heard about people cloning bank cards from a distance on the tube, so I don't believe that's an issue.
-Everyone should do what they are most comfortable with. But I don't think it's likely anyone will lose their card (or phone) or have it stolen when tapping in/out. That's not something we ever hear about in the news. At the major stations where most tourists are there are also lots of staff and of course cameras around. If you're nervous about that you can also use the wide gate (for people with prams, mobility aids, bags, etc) as those open more slowly so you have more time to get your card out and put it away.
-Phone thefts can happen anywhere at any time. However, most of what we've been seeing here has been people having their phones snatched from their hands when they have it out on the street- e.g. standing at a bus stop, waiting to cross the road, using it for directions, etc. These are the times to be most careful. People come up on motorbikes and snatch them and ride off. That's why I advise pulling off to the side and standing next to a building if you want to consult directions.

I hope this is helpful and somewhat reassuring.

And yes, I know England has bizarre and arcane laws that criminalizes self-defense or defense of property and instead protects criminals.

Does it? Where did you learn that from?

As a retired police officer allow me to offer you some advice. In the UK the law permits anyone to use force in the defence of yourself, another person or property. You do not have to wait to be assaulted first, the law permits pre-emptive strikes however all force must be reasonable and proportionate.

Also, there is no reason to order the visitor Oyster Card, as the Oyster Card Machines are located both major airports before you get on the tube or Elizabeth line.