Contactless Debit Cards

[jennyjoan]

I lost my debit card yesterday actually it had missing without my noticing from 19 September anyway was lucky enough to get it "stopped" yesterday. So am awaiting a new one. I do really try to be careful with this blooming card but have lost it a few

Now There are new "contactless" ones out - anybody care to explain how they work. Thank you.

[sandyRoe]

I don't know anything about them but here's an earlier thread on the subject.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1285748.html

[hc4361]

If the bill is £30 or less and the terminal has the contactless facility, you just touch your card to the reader and that's it.

[jennyjoan]

thanks both - I did think it may have meant I needn't take the card out of the house - just used like the pin number. Will have to be more careful with these cards.

[ummmm]

hc..has the £30 came in yet?

Jenny...if you mislay cards tell the bank you don't want a contactless one.

[alavahalf]

Tell them you want one on a chain to hang round your kneck !

[hc4361]

Yes, the £30 limit came in to effect on the 1st September

[ummmm]

My local shop is still doing £20. I will be informing them shortly. I'm far too lazy to be putting in a pin!!!

[murraymints]

I have a aluminium card holder to keep mine in as the latest scam is scanners with equipment to read your card when simply passing by..got 15 on internet for a fiver...it blocks your card and it can't be read...

[jennyjoan]

no won't be getting contactless one - but i need one to strangle myself with.

[joggerjayne]

They are a way of giving up any semblance of security, in return for saving a few seconds entering you PIN.

If you lose it, anyone who finds it can spend as many £20s as they like, until you cancel your card, and then have to wait for a new one.

Or, as has been happening in bars in London (and other places - not here, where the bar staff are all too honest) ...

You buy a couple of rounds in the bar. The bar staff then ring through odd, small amounts, say £12.65 or £16.20 ... squeeze past you in the crowded bar as they go to collect glasses ... brush the machine against your pocket ... and your card authorises the payment. Then the bar staff take that amount out of the till.

A few days later, when you see your statement, you're hard pressed to prove that the £14.90 was yours but the £12.65 wasn't, and the £15.85 was yours but the £16.20 wasn't.

Best advice ... if you really must have a contactless card ...

1. keep it in a locked case in your bag, with a combination lock, in case you lose it, and

2. make sure the case is lead lined so you don't get caught by the "brush against" scam.

or ...

3. just have a card which at least requires a PIN number.

[hc4361]

Scams are still rare with these cards:

"Contactless cards use the same secure encryption technology as Chip & PIN. Instances of fraud on contactless cards are rare, with the latest figures showing that contactless fraud totaled £51,000 over the first six months of 2014 - just 0.007% of contactless card spending. Most of these are from where a card has been stolen and in the period between it being stolen and reported missing – and subsequently cancelled by the bank – a thief has managed to make purchases."
http://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/money/spending/credit-cards/how-safe-and-secure-are-contactless-payments.aspx

A card can only be used a certain number of times before a PIN has to be entered, this is random but will be triggered if there are a lot of purchases in a short time

[Old_Geezer]

As I understand it contactless ones have 2 characteristics.

First little checking is done so if you lose it small purchases can be made (and the definition of small increases as time goes on) without you being there. You then have to convince the bank to refund you.

Second it is possible for a machine to pick up the presence of your card in order to pay for someone else's groceries without you being aware. Ditto with getting your money back.

It is a miracle of security and shows how important your wealth is to the uncaring banks that push them out unrequested.

[ummmm]

JJ...the card can only be used 3 times a day.

[hc4361]

OG, the card has to be a minimum of 3 centimetres from the terminal.

[Peter Pedant]

as the losses mount
perhaps you will learn

contactless is good for less than £20

[hc4361]

£30 since the 1st September

[Jackdaw33]

Do you mean a maximum of 3cm?

I was unaware that they could only be used three times a day.

I don't think the banks give you much choice in the matter as to whether the card is contactless or not.

[ummmm]

Jack...it could be different with different banks. Nationwide do give you a choice, for the time being at least.

[Sipowicz]

Santander also give you the choice.

[Jackdaw33]

Not all shops have this facility. My Co-op does but my Sainsbury's doesn't.