Apple’s mobile payment system has provided a method for US criminals to make fraudulent transactions – and banks are rushing to stem the tide

Criminals in the US are using the new Apple Pay mobile payment system to buy high-value goods – often from Apple Stores – with stolen identities and credit card details.

Banks have been caught by surprise by the level of fraud, and the Guardian understands that some are scrambling to ensure that better verification and checking systems are put in place to prevent the problem running out of control, with around two million Americans already using the system.

Related: Samsung buys mobile payments firm LoopPay to take on Apple Pay