How to avoid Contactless cards?

Martha2

I've just been issued with a 'Contactless' DC by Barclays, but when I requested one which has just a PIN facility, they agreed to cancel the Contactless card and issue one of the older variety.

On the other hand, MBNA, from whom I have a CC, are telling me that they do not give customers this choice; they brush aside my request and tell me that it's a case of take-it-or-leave-it.

I've read the posts about the advantages and security of Contactless cards but I simply do not want to have one. Can someone pse tell me which CC providers are planning (unlike MBNA) to give customers the chance to opt out of Contactless?

M

reclusive46

Martha2 wrote: »

I've just been issued with a 'Contactless' DC by Barclays, but when I requested one which has just a PIN facility, they agreed to cancel the Contactless card and issue one of the older variety.

On the other hand, MBNA, from whom I have a CC, are telling me that they do not give customers this choice; they brush aside my request and tell me that it's a case of take-it-or-leave-it.

I've read the posts about the advantages and security of Contactless cards but I simply do not want to have one. Can someone pse tell me which CC providers are planning (unlike MBNA) to give customers the chance to opt out of Contactless?

M

Realistically over the next year or two its going to become too costly to issue cards without contactless and cards that do have it together. So I'd just get used to idea that your going to have to have one.

Martha2

Thanks for your reply.
But is the wireless function part of the main chip? I mean, is it possible to somehow de-activate just the wireless function?
M

reclusive46

Martha2 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.
But is the wireless function part of the main chip? I mean, is it possible to somehow de-activate just the wireless function?
M

In the UK we all have EMV cards, so the contactless is part of the main chip. On magstripe only cards you can just deactivate the wireless function (But cutting one of the sides a little bit) but thats not much use here.

I don't know if you are aware or not but if you have more than one contactless card in your wallet the cards are unreadable when together.

Martha2

Thanks again.
Yes, I'd heard that two cards can jam each other's RD function; also about the tinfoil wallets.
But if Barclays are offering an opt-out for their DC - presumably on account of customer resistance to Contactless - it makes me think that other companies might have the same idea. (Not sure whether Barclays also offer CCs.)
M

Hominu

Personally, I think it'll go the other way around - eventually Barclays will stop allowing customers to choose and just issue contactless to everyone, whether they want it or not. Its expensive to offer both.

dalesrider

You will soon be unable to drop out of contactless cards, once more banks/card providers switch over.
It will then get to the point that it is not cost effective to provide the option.

As a aside the 2 cards cancel each other out. Appears to have found a work round...

London transport bus terminals are managing to not only debit oyster cards but also bank cards as well....

So if you use London buses, keep your cards seperate....

James

Call your card issuer up.

Have them record the fact that you won't be carrying out any wireless transactions. Tell them to treat such transactions as fraudulent.


You could go further and put this in writing and asking for confirmation they'v received your letter.

Good luck

BugsyBrowne

Martha2 wrote: »

I've just been issued with a 'Contactless' DC by Barclays, but when I requested one which has just a PIN facility, they agreed to cancel the Contactless card and issue one of the older variety.

On the other hand, MBNA, from whom I have a CC, are telling me that they do not give customers this choice; they brush aside my request and tell me that it's a case of take-it-or-leave-it.

I've read the posts about the advantages and security of Contactless cards but I simply do not want to have one. Can someone pse tell me which CC providers are planning (unlike MBNA) to give customers the chance to opt out of Contactless?

M

There's more chance a 1 legged horse winning the grand national then your contactless card being scammed.

Hominu

BugsyBrowne wrote: »

There's more chance a 1 legged horse winning the grand national then your contactless card being scammed.

You don't even need the horse. There's more chance of fraud via other means than via contactless. Fraud is possible on your card even if you never take it out of the house.

People worry about contactless because of media scare stories, but they don't think about the amount of people who have their card details and could use them fraudulently.

BugsyBrowne

Hominu wrote: »

You don't even need the horse. There's more chance of fraud via other means than via contactless. Fraud is possible on your card even if you never take it out of the house.

People worry about contactless because of media scare stories, but they don't think about the amount of people who have their card details and could use them fraudulently.

They are probably the same weirdos who don't use cash machines.