Italy’s €181 Million Warning Signals New Wave of Sophisticated Card Fraud Hitting UK and European Consumers
Card cloning scams are experiencing a dramatic resurgence across Europe in 2025, with criminals deploying sophisticated new techniques that bypass modern security measures including EMV chip technology and contactless payment protections. A particularly alarming development is the emergence of the “White Card” scam in Italy, which has already cost victims €181 million ($195 million/£152 million) this year alone.
Despite widespread adoption of chip-and-PIN cards and contactless payments, fraudsters have adapted their methods, combining traditional skimming techniques with advanced technology to steal card data directly at supermarket checkouts and ATM machines. The threat has become so severe that Italy’s Postal Police reported a 15 per cent rise in cyber-fraud cases this year, with total damages increasing by 32 per cent year-over-year.
The White Card Scam: Europe’s Latest Threat
The “White Card” scam, currently spreading from Italy across Europe, represents a new evolution in card cloning techniques. Unlike traditional skimming methods, this fraud occurs right at the checkout terminal during legitimate transactions.
“You tap your card, bag your groceries, and head home. Then your bank balance drops by €300,” describes a recent report from Euro Weekly News. The scam has already claimed hundreds of victims in Italy, with individual losses ranging from €300 to several thousand euros per incident.
What makes the White Card particularly dangerous is its simplicity and invisibility. Criminals use sophisticated devices to clone card information during the payment process, creating a blank “white” card that can be used like any other payment card. The fraud often goes unnoticed until victims check their bank statements hours or days later.
Italy’s experience serves as an early warning for the rest of Europe. With over 18,700 cyber-fraud cases logged by Italy’s Postal Police in 2024 alone, representing €181 million in stolen funds, experts warn that Spain, France and the UK could be next targets for organised crime rings deploying this technology.
Modern Cloning Methods: Beyond the Magnetic Strip
Today’s card cloning techniques have evolved far beyond simple magnetic stripe skimming. Criminals now employ multiple sophisticated methods to capture card data:
ATM Skimming Devices: Modern skimmers are virtually undetectable, fitting seamlessly over legitimate card readers. In 2025, authorities in Virginia uncovered a coordinated campaign involving skimmers at multiple locations. Similarly, a compromised ATM scam in Beaumont, Texas, resulted in $10,000 (£7,800) being stolen from cardholders in 2024.
Shimming Technology: More advanced than traditional skimmers, “shimmers” are paper-thin devices inserted directly into card readers that intercept EMV chip data. These devices are particularly concerning as they target the very technology designed to prevent fraud.
Point-of-Sale Malware: Criminals are increasingly targeting retailers’ payment systems with sophisticated malware that captures card details during legitimate transactions. This method is particularly effective as it operates invisibly within compromised systems.
Overlay Keypads: Fake keypads placed over genuine ATM buttons record PINs as customers enter them. Combined with skimmed card data, this gives criminals complete access to accounts.
NFC/Contactless Hacking: While less common, criminals use powerful scanners to capture data from contactless cards at close range, particularly in crowded areas like public transport or busy shopping centres.
European Fraud Statistics Paint Worrying Picture
The scale of card fraud across Europe has reached alarming levels. According to FICO’s European Fraud Map, credit card fraud losses across 18 European countries rose from €1,493 million in 2021 to €1,578 million in 2024, approaching the peak of €1,642 million seen in 2015.
Card-not-present fraud remains the primary driver, but physical card cloning is experiencing a resurgence. Greece saw fraud losses jump 19 per cent from 2023 to 2024, whilst Denmark experienced a 20 per cent increase over the same period.
Sarah Cassidy, senior consultant at FICO, warns: “Fraud is evolving faster than the defences designed to stop it. Stronger defences against online scams have caused criminals to shift energy back to credit card fraud.”
The upcoming PSD3 regulations, with a final version expected by the end of 2025, will enforce stricter authentication requirements across Europe. However, criminals continue to stay one step ahead, exploiting gaps in current security measures.
RFID Wallets: Marketing Hype or Real Protection?
The surge in card cloning has spawned a massive industry in RFID-blocking products, from wallets to purses claiming to protect against electronic pickpocketing. But do they actually work?
Expert consensus reveals a mixed picture. While RFID-blocking materials can effectively prevent scanning of contactless cards, many security professionals argue the threat is overblown.
“We do not believe this addresses a real risk,” states James E. Lee, Chief Operating Officer of the Identity Theft Resource Centre. “Chip-enabled payment cards and digital wallets are the most secure forms of payment except for cash.”
Frank McKenna, chief strategist for Point Predictive, agrees: “It’s just very theoretical fraud. I personally don’t worry about this.”
The reality is that RFID fraud represents a tiny fraction of card crime. Most RFID chips are encrypted, accessible only to verified scanners, and modern passports already contain RFID-blocking materials. Darius Kingsley, head of consumer banking practices at Chase, notes: “More of a risk is people being careless with their card numbers.”
However, for those seeking peace of mind, quality RFID-blocking products do work as advertised. Products like SafeCard and Wallet Defender create a 5cm shield blocking the 13.56 MHz frequency used by most RFID cards. At prices ranging from £10-30, they offer affordable protection, even if the risk they guard against is minimal.
UK Impact: £1.17 Billion Lost to Fraud
The UK continues to face significant challenges with card fraud, with criminals stealing £1.17 billion through unauthorised and authorised fraud in 2024, according to UK Finance’s latest annual fraud report.
While banks prevented £1.45 billion of unauthorised fraud through advanced security systems, the shifting tactics of criminals remain concerning. Remote purchase fraud saw a 22 per cent increase in cases, demonstrating how fraudsters adapt when one vulnerability closes.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has also warned of a surge in scams, with almost 5,000 fake FCA scam reports in the first six months of 2025 alone. Steve Smart, joint executive director of enforcement at the FCA, emphasised: “Financial crime harms trust, and tackling it is a prerequisite for growth.”
Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, continues to see high volumes of card fraud reports. The introduction of mandatory reimbursement rules in October 2024 has improved victim protection, with 86 per cent of money lost to APP scams returned in the first three months, compared to 68 per cent previously.
Consumer Safety: Practical Protection Steps
Despite the evolving threat landscape, consumers can take effective steps to protect themselves:
Use Mobile Wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay and similar services with biometric security add an extra layer of protection, as they use tokenisation rather than transmitting actual card numbers.
Shield Your PIN: Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN, even if no one appears to be watching. Hidden cameras are increasingly sophisticated.
Monitor Accounts Daily: Set up instant notifications for all transactions. Quick detection is crucial for limiting losses and ensuring reimbursement.
Inspect ATMs Carefully: Check for loose parts, unusual attachments or anything that looks out of place. If in doubt, use a different machine.
Avoid Isolated ATMs: Use machines in well-lit, monitored locations inside banks or busy retail areas rather than standalone street ATMs.
Use Chip Whenever Possible: Always insert your chip card rather than swiping when given the option. Chip transactions are significantly more secure.
Set Transaction Limits: Configure daily spending and withdrawal limits on your cards to minimise potential losses.
Regular Statement Reviews: Check statements thoroughly for any unfamiliar transactions, no matter how small. Criminals often test cards with small purchases first.
Technology Arms Race Continues
As criminals develop new techniques, the financial industry continues to invest in countermeasures. Artificial intelligence is increasingly deployed to detect unusual transaction patterns, potentially blocking fraudulent transactions in real-time.
However, AI also poses risks. Criminals are using artificial intelligence to develop more sophisticated scams and to identify vulnerabilities in payment systems more quickly than ever before.
The payment card skimming market is projected to reach $4.01 billion in value by the end of 2025, according to The Business Research Company, indicating the scale of criminal investment in this area.
Banks and payment processors are responding with enhanced security measures including behavioural biometrics, which analyse how users typically interact with their devices, and improved tokenisation systems that never expose actual card numbers during transactions.
European Regulatory Response
European regulators are taking increasingly aggressive action against card fraud. The upcoming PSD3 directive will mandate even stricter authentication requirements and transparency measures across the EU.
In the UK, the Payment Systems Regulator’s new reimbursement rules have already shown positive results, with faster claim resolution and higher reimbursement rates for victims. Within five working days, 84 per cent of claims are now resolved, helping rebuild consumer trust.
International cooperation is also intensifying. The FCA recently coordinated with eight other global regulators to crack down on financial crime, resulting in multiple arrests and criminal proceedings.
The Reality Check
While card cloning remains a serious threat, it’s important to maintain perspective. The vast majority of card transactions occur without incident, and multiple layers of security protect consumers.
Banks’ fraud detection systems have become increasingly sophisticated, often freezing suspicious transactions before losses occur. Combined with stronger consumer protection regulations and reimbursement requirements, victims are better protected than ever before.
Nevertheless, vigilance remains essential. As Adam Moore from Creditspring notes: “Fraud is an unfortunate reality in consumer finance, and new tactics are emerging every day that target the most vulnerable.”
The emergence of the White Card scam in Italy serves as a stark reminder that criminals continue to innovate. As this threat potentially spreads across Europe, consumers must remain alert whilst regulators and financial institutions work to stay ahead of evolving fraud techniques.
For now, the best defence combines common sense, technology and vigilance. Cover your PIN, monitor your accounts, and remember that if something seems suspicious, it probably is. In the ongoing battle against card fraud, prevention remains far better than cure.
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