New 'wave' cards?

Morglin

Sorry if this is on here somewhere, but I can't find anything.

I recieved my new Play card (MBNA) from them the other day. It's just a renewal card as my old one is due to expire.

It's got info on it that this card is no longer a 'chip and pin' and that I just 'wave' it over a scanner, at the till.

MBNA confirmed, when I phoned, that, under a certain amount, C&P is no longer required, and that most cards were being altered to this system.

I don't know if I'm missing something here, but how does this work?

Surely, C&P is the thing that protects a card from a thief using it?

If I dropped the card, then surely anyone could just use it by waving it?

I don't actually want this 'wave' system card, but it appears that I'm stuck with it, if all card providers are going to be also doing it.

Anyone else heard what all this is about?

Cheers.

Lin

rb10

It will be Chip and Pin as well as being Contactless.

The Contactless system is only for transactions under the value of £15, and you can only do a limited number of Contactless transactions before needing a PIN. As the bank takes on all the liability for fraudulent use, there's no risk to you (as long as you trust your bank to sort out any fraud - I do, as I am with Halifax).

Most banks do not yet provide contactless cards (Barclays do on credit & debit cards; Halifax do on some debit cards, but most others don't yet), but I imagine that others will follow.

Plus, it will still need to be authorised when used ... so if you drop it, you phone the bank to cancel it and order a new one, and then it will no longer work.

danouk

These are known as "contactless" cards - you may have seen the Barclaycard ads for them. They will be widely rolled out over the next few years.

They can only be used "contactless" for transactions up to £15. If there are repeated transactions at the same merchant or your spending activity triggers the secret algorithm then you will be asked to put your card in the machine and enter your PIN in the traditional way.

There is no additional exposure for the card user for fraudulent use - your terms and will have been changed to reflect this. If there are fraudulent contactless transactions you will not be liable for them.

fannyadams

How do you stop the machine grabbing your card to pay for someone else's shopping when you are queuing up to pay for yours?

I'm scared :eek:... £15/shop is a lot to lose when I'm out shopping...

anyone else think this is a bad idea.

also - on the flip side what's to say an unscrupulous person denying the transactions that they did?

there'll be tears before bedtime.

rb10

fannyadams wrote: »

How do you stop the machine grabbing your card to pay for someone else's shopping when you are queuing up to pay for yours?

Think of it like an Oyster card ... with one of them there's no chance that you could pay for someone else's underground journey.

fannyadams wrote: »

also - on the flip side what's to say an unscrupulous person denying the transactions that they did?

Nothing at all, but the return is not great, and the bank would quickly get suspicious if someone repeatedly claimed that someone else was using their card.

This is why you can only make a certain number of contactless transactions before they'll make you put in the PIN, to verify that the card is still in your possession.

dzug1

fannyadams wrote: »

How do you stop the machine grabbing your card to pay for someone else's shopping when you are queuing up to pay for yours?

I'm scared :eek:... £15/shop is a lot to lose when I'm out shopping...

anyone else think this is a bad idea.

also - on the flip side what's to say an unscrupulous person denying the transactions that they did?

there'll be tears before bedtime.

It doesn't reach out and grab the card - it needs to be right up against the machine to work

chattychappy

I've used this system overseas for a few years. Works well, though I don't feel people should be forced to have the facility on their cards.

It's generally faster than cash because it's instant - as someone said it's like Oyster in London. It might actually reduce fraud - less of a risk of your PIN being observed or the card being skimmed just because of a small transaction.Also you need to carry less change.

Another good thing - because it is so fast, you really can use it for small transactions (eg that £2 coffee) without feeling silly or awkward when there's a queue. So that means more airmiles, cash back, or better use of 0% purchase deals etc.

Evilm

At the moment there aren't may companies who are set up to take it.

KingElvis

First time I tried it with my Barclaycard it didn't work and had to use pin anyway.

scott_lithgows

Damned good idea,a clash of opinions here but no need for pistols.

nzseries1

rb10 wrote: »

Think of it like an Oyster card ... with one of them there's no chance that you could pay for someone else's underground journey.

I disagree.

Person 1 swipes their oyster card. It fails, for whatever reason. Person 1 tries to walk through closed gates.
Person 2, not paying attention, swipes their card. Gates open. Person 1 goes through gates. Gates close before person 2 can enter.

Person 2 has just paid for Person 1's underground journey.

A similar thing could *potentially* happen here with "wave" credit cards, I think. Although I think the risks there are probably cancelled out by the benefits of fewer people being able to observe your PIN.

PS: Have I ever been Person 2? Ummm... maybe