Replacing debit card with contactless card 28 February 2013 at 12:04AM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Budgeting & Bank Accounts 48 replies 15.4K views

Mulligan1

Interestingly I used the contactless feature of my Halifax Debit Card for the first time in the Co-Op this morning for the princely sum of £2.18 and it didn't ask for my PIN number. I'm sure that I read on here that the first time you use contactless you would be prompted to enter your PIN?

I had already used the card several times for Chip & PIN transactions though.

reclusive46

Mulligan1 wrote: »

Interestingly I used the contactless feature of my Halifax Debit Card for the first time in the Co-Op this morning for the princely sum of £2.18 and it didn't ask for my PIN number. I'm sure that I read on here that the first time you use contactless you would be prompted to enter your PIN?

I had already used the card several times for Chip & PIN transactions though.

No I think you misunderstood. You have to have done 1 chip and pin transaction before the contactless feature will work. This makes sure its you that have the card and that someone didn't steal the card in the mail to you.

Mulligan1

reclusive46 wrote: »

No I think you misunderstood. You have to have done 1 chip and pin transaction before the contactless feature will work. This makes sure its you that has the card and that someone didn't steal the card in the mail to you.

Ah, I see now. Thanks.

Plxply

Also just to point out the chip and contactless aren't totally separate, they're actually connected. The transaction counter in the chip increases even when you pay by contactless.

ChiefGrasscutter

Really?
So the chip on the card is not a "read only" chip?
It can be written to as well if holds an incrementable counter?

reclusive46

ChiefGrasscutter wrote: »

Really?
So the chip on the card is not a "read only" chip?
It can be written to as well if holds an incrementable counter?

Yes, certain portions of the chip are writable/editable.

Bosie

I have 3 contactless cards, Smile, HSBC and M&S but my friend has put some doubt about their safety.
She said, say I lost one and didn't realize it, if a person who found it, they could use it at shops a few times and would I have to pay for the transactions?
I've used mine in a co-op store, M&S and McDonalds's.

MoneySaverLog

Bosie wrote: »

I have 3 contactless cards, Smile, HSBC and M&S but my friend has put some doubt about their safety.
She said, say I lost one and didn't realize it, if a person who found it, they could use it at shops a few times and would I have to pay for the transactions?
I've used mine in a co-op store, M&S and McDonalds's.

Report it as stolen and you're not liable.

If they use it between when you lost the card and when you reported it lost who knows what would happen for those small purchases like going to McD's

rb10

Bosie wrote: »

I have 3 contactless cards, Smile, HSBC and M&S but my friend has put some doubt about their safety.
She said, say I lost one and didn't realize it, if a person who found it, they could use it at shops a few times and would I have to pay for the transactions?
I've used mine in a co-op store, M&S and McDonalds's.

Firstly, there is a limit to the number of consecutive contactless transactions that a card can perform before a PIN transaction is required. So that limits the potential loss to under £100.

However, you can be >99% certain that the bank will refund any fraudulent transaction on your account, even if the transactions happen before you notice that your card is missing. It's not something to worry about.

reclusive46

rb10 wrote: »

Firstly, there is a limit to the number of consecutive contactless transactions that a card can perform before a PIN transaction is required. So that limits the potential loss to under £100.

However, you can be >99% certain that the bank will refund any fraudulent transaction on your account, even if the transactions happen before you notice that your card is missing. It's not something to worry about.

+ I can't imagine a thief trying to use contactless as it would be really awkward for them if there was a random security check :P