Body & Soul2 mins ago
Contactless Debit Cards
23 Answers
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.
Now There are new "contactless" ones out - anybody care to explain how they work. Thank you.
Answers
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I don't know anything about them but here's an earlier thread on the subject.
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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.
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.
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://
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
"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://
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
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.
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.
