RBS: Disabling "contactless payment" facility on cards

eleanora_

Hello all

I hate the idea of contactless payment technology (aka RFID) - I've read up on this, and think that the risks of fraud etc. far outweigh the benefits. Chip and PIN is convenient enough without introducing the risk of skimming, IMHO. Eek.

(I also had an interesting experience in a local shop the other day - I got my wallet out to in order to retrieve a £5 note to pay for my shopping, and was informed that the till had already charged my bank card - which was in my wallet, about six inches away from the card machine. I didn't appreciate this!)

I went to my branch (RBS) on Friday, and explained that I didn't want the contactless facility on my debit card. [STRIKE]The assistant told me he was able to disable it, so my card no longer has any RFID capability. Just thought I'd share in case anyone else is concerned about this - it's worth speaking to your bank.[/STRIKE]

Edit: apparently they've actually issued me a new card - it remains to be seen whether it's contactless or otherwise...

reclusive46

eleanora_ wrote: »

Hello all

I hate the idea of contactless payment technology (aka RFID) - I've read up on this, and think that the risks of fraud etc. far outweigh the benefits. Chip and PIN is convenient enough without introducing the risk of skimming, IMHO. Eek.

(I also had an interesting experience in a local shop the other day - I got my wallet out to in order to retrieve a £5 note to pay for my shopping, and was informed that the till had already charged my bank card - which was in my wallet, about six inches away from the card machine. I didn't appreciate this!)

I went to my branch (RBS) on Friday, and explained that I didn't want the contactless facility on my debit card. They were able to disable it, so my card no longer has any RFID capability. Just thought I'd share in case anyone else is concerned about this - it's worth speaking to your bank!

Do you mean you got a new card? You can't disable the contactless on a card.

Also you are aware that on the newest version of Visa's, MC's and Amex's contactless EMV, skimming is no longer possible as enough details are no longer provided. (I.e. no name provided).

eleanora_

reclusive46 wrote: »

Do you mean you got a new card? You can't disable the contactless on a card.

I didn't get a new card - the member of staff I spoke to told me he had been able to disable the contactless facility on my card. I'll test this tomorrow when I'm next near a shop - I'll report back on the results.

reclusive46 wrote: »

Also you are aware that on the newest version of Visa's, MC's and Amex's contactless EMV, skimming is no longer possible as enough details are no longer provided. (I.e. no name provided).

Meh, I dunno. I'm a bit wary of contactless payment. I probably shouldn't be, but there you go! As I said in my first post, I've already had a shop machine charge my card when I actually didn't want to pay with it (wasn't a problem as the cash was in my account, but it was a bit annoying).

jonesMUFCforever

What's the difference as to what card you have or not?
Maximum contactless transaction is £15 I think, and after x amount of transactions you will be prompted for a PIN anyway, plus if you do not make a transaction you tell your bank this; and it gets refunded.

chambta

I'm pretty sure a new card needs ordering - but no one has ever asked me to do this though hence my uncertainty.

pmduk

I understood the max contactless transaction is now £20

JuicyJesus

Given that most contactless transactions authorise without contacting the bank, I'd be interested to see how they went about disabling the contactless function.

Gromitt

JuicyJesus wrote: »

Given that most contactless transactions authorise without contacting the bank, I'd be interested to see how they went about disabling the contactless function.

Hammering a nail through the antenna normally does the trick, but I doubt a customer services advisor would do that.

Vortigern

eleanora_ wrote: »

I also had an interesting experience in a local shop the other day - I got my wallet out to in order to retrieve a £5 note to pay for my shopping, and was informed that the till had already charged my bank card - which was in my wallet, about six inches away from the card machine.

Fortunately the OP had funds available in the bank account, but I wonder how long it will be before we hear of somebody going unintentionally overdrawn in such circumstances and being charged for the privilege.

Unintentional use of this nature can be prevented by carrying 2 contactless cards in the same wallet (or bank card plus Oyster card)

Given that the contactless antenna runs around all 4 edges of the card it should be possible to permanently disable it by cutting into an edge with a junior hacksaw.

Biggles

Vortigern wrote: »

Unintentional use of this nature can be prevented by carrying 2 contactless cards in the same wallet (or bank card plus Oyster card).

Given that the contactless antenna runs around all 4 edges of the card it should be possible to permanently disable it by cutting into an edge with a junior hacksaw.

Very interesting, Vortigern.

Is the first statement true? In which case, many of us must surely be safe from these false transactions already.

How about the second statement, has that been tested do you know?

reclusive46

Biggles wrote: »

Very interesting, Vortigern.

Is the first statement true? In which case, many of us must surely be safe from these false transactions already.

How about the second statement, has that been tested do you know?

The first statement is definitely true, if you try and present two contactless cards, it will just say "Present only one card"

The second one may work but your card would look a bit dodgie and I wouldn't surprised if a merchant would refuse to accept it. I also have a feeling that you would have to cut atleast 2 corners as I believe they are 2 antennas.