Contactless Payments

[sunny-dave]

Following on from another thread - how do you feel about 'contactless' payments?

I'm happy enough with single-purpose cards (eg Oyster Cards in London) where your liability is capped by how much you have loaded to the card, but am much less happy about contactless credit/debit cards.

I've avoided contactless cards as much as possible, by asking for a card without the function, or for it to be disabled on my accounts - but that no longer seems an option. All cards I've had renewed recently seem to incorporate contactless payments, with no way of opting-out.

I've invested in an RFID blocking wallet, but still don't like the fact that if a card is stolen it can be used without a PIN until I get it blocked. I know I should get the stolen funds reimbursed, but I'm still not comfortable with it.

[furrypusscat]

I think it is a backwards step. That was the whole idea of having pin numbers. I refuse to use them and always ask for the bank to change to non contactless where possible. Some banks operate both, ie. Nationwide do both and were happy to change mine to non contactless.

[rockyroad]

Fingerprint recognition will be the next big step, its already being used in some schools for dinner money payments.

[chrissa1]

I certainly don't want one. Too risky for my liking. How is a "step forward" in technology that has to be protected in a wallet, a good thing?

[Hopkirk]

It doesn't have to be protected in a special wallet. That's just a false scare story

[rockyroad]

eccles wrote "Oh dear, I'm plain stupid then?!?!?!"
only if you masquerade as a contactless payment card, ...jeezus if you want a fight there's a few over on news will oblige.

[rockyroad]

Hopkirk, there was a programme on the TV, watchdog I think, where they tested it and the guy managed to get all the details off someones contactless card by just sitting next to them in a cafe!

[jno]

I don't know, Hopkirk

http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/money/money-tips/beware-of-this-new-type-of-contactless-card-fraud-11364041111515

Is there more up-to-date news on this? I don't know what current advice is.

[Hopkirk]

Normally a card reader has to be 2 centimetres from the card, and always it has to be no more than 10 centimetres away.

No one gets that near to my wallet.

Anyone who carries their wallet in the back pocket of their jeans is asking for trouble.

[windywillow]

I like it...it's quick, easy and convenient.

No doubt I'll change my mind if I encounter a problem, but I'm not going to worry about what *might* (I'd put that in italics if I knew how to) happen.

[EcclesCake]

Calm down Rocky, you're showing you well known colours yet again!

[rockyroad]

Hopkirk wrote "No one gets that near to my wallet. "

ditto lol!

[Caran]

I also use my card as contactless, I get 5% cash back each month from my TSB current account. As soon as I have reached the £100 limit each month I use it as a normal card, as I do with purchases over £30.