Re: Contactless card query
Pesta
There is something very not right about this story. You were right to question the girl.
The card reader should have been in plain sight.
Your card should NEVER EVER leave your sight.
The only time I would hand my card to someone if when the waiter/waitress comes to the table with a remote/portable card reader in which case they put the card into it right in front of you, type in the payment amount and then hand you the card. Again, the card never leaves your sight.
You should know that it takes a split second (literally) to "skim" a card. That is to sweep it through a tiny card reading device. It would be quicker than paying using the contactless method where there is always a 1-2 second delay whilst the details are read and processed.
It is very possible that they are skimming people's cards under the counter. Such fraud and crime is very prevalent.
They could even have a camera under there constantly recording so they could hold your card under it and flip it over for the security number on the back. The waiter could even just have their mobile phone recording under there for that purpose. With all the details from front and back recorded to freeze frame at a later time they could then use your details fraudulently.
I would personally log into your bank account (assuming you have online banking) a few times a day to see if any odd transactions appear and if so contact the bank immediately.