The latest social engineering trick doing the rounds in OZ is the 'Flower/Wine Delivery'. There's a knock at the door and surprise, surprise, a guy delivering a bunch of flowers and a bottle of wine in a hamper. No note or senders details.
"Sir/Madam, because the hamper contains alcohol we have to get proof that we delivered to someone over 18, so there is a token $3.50 fee which you can pay by card so we can prove we delivered it". He even has a handy mobile credit card machine gadget. Just
swipe your card and pay the $3.50. Seems a bargain, and it doubles as a tip. You offer to pay cash, abut they reply that they don't accept cash to make it safer and it also proves you are over 18.
"Could you pay with your card and PIN, please and I get a tip from the payment, otherwise it goes in credit card fees."
You see the $3.50 on his gadget's screen and think, 'What the heck, it's only $3.50.' and enter your PIN.
Unless you get a call from the bank, within a few days you might not notice that the $3.50 never came out of your account. More likely it'll be $4000-$5000 coming out of your account at ATM's all over the place.
It's a scam, and you've been taken. Conned.
The best part about this scam is at least you get to drink what is most probably the most expensive bottle of wine you've ever been 'given'.
Technically the bank can deny coverage because you gave your PIN to the skimmer/scammer. The transaction was never a transaction, just a scheme to scan your card and get your PIN.
Needless to say this scam would not work with some mobile transaction systems, and I've no doubt that the card company will suggest it couldn't happen with CHIP and PIN, but of course we all know it could.
Beware of strangers bearing unexpected gifts.