Non- and Un-contacless credit card

Fertilizer

I don't want banks to send me unrequested contactless cards because:
a) I want to control what I spend and how
b) I don't trust them
c) I don't want multiple wallets
d) I don't want to worry which wallet pocket it is in
e) I don't want to worry about what's behind me
f) I've never even seen a contactless machine
g) I buy almost everything on cards - but nothing cheap
h) If I wanted to use contactless, then I would get a single card specifically for the purpose - with a finite amount of cash on it so I know the maximum I can lose
i) I most definitely do NOT want a contactless debit card which represents my real bank account giving someone the opportunity to clean me out. (Please don't waste your time trying to convince me otherwise - the reader needs your details to collect the money ...).


Anyone trying to convince me contactless is safe is simply wasting their time. Anything "safe" today, could be very unsafe tomorrow. Yes, they are easy, but so is sticking some fivers in your top pocket so people can help themselves - you can spend all that money whilst making absolutely no effort at all - marvellous. I'll happily leave that to others.

Of course, I like to stay in control of my spending: lots of people would have no idea if their money was disappearing. For those people, contactless could be particularly bad news.


Anyway, Non- and Un-contacless credit card ...

Non - I would like to replace my Capital One reward card with another reward card which is non-contactless and staying that way. Does anyone have any information on such cards ?

Un - I saw in another trail someone drilled through the contactless aerial on a card to tunr it back into a normal card. Does this work ? How do I know exactly where the aerial is ? Is there a better way to render them "normal" ?

I look forward with interest to all replies from non-complacent people with their suggestions ...

bryanb

Never heard of such a credit card, do you mean debit card?

Fertilizer

Capital One credit cards (reward cards)
Received 2 replacement cards Saturday morning
Reward cards ... and contactless.

bryanb

Fertilizer wrote: »

Capital One credit cards (reward cards)
Received 2 replacement cards Saturday morning
Reward cards ... and contactless.

OK that's new to me.

JakeGreen

Looking at the card with the black magnetic strip across the top, cut the card down the middle, from the bottom edge of the card to the centre and you will break the radio frequency aerial loop which will stop the card from working as a contactless card.

As long as you don't cut too near the chip and pin chip or the magnetic strip the standard functions should still work.

As much as I think it's overkill to do this, I understand your concerns as it could become a new hi-tech form of pickpocketing people for £20 at a time.

JakeGreen

Just to add:

It'll probably be easier to use a hacksaw or something with fine blades rather than a knife or scissors.

A 2 centimetre cut from the edge will do it as they try to make the aerial loop as large as possible by going near to the edge of the card.

jazzypinkpuppet

I work in a high street shop which accepts contactless payments. We have recently been trained and told it will only authorize up to £20 and only up to four transactions per day.

Fertilizer

Exactly. £20 is only the max per transaction.
x 4 = £80 per day
= £560 per week
= over £2,000 per month if you only check your statement monthly - or not at all.

Oh - is that all ??

Fertilizer

Apart from the money, my reasons ran from A - I ... so you have ignored all but one.

In short, I just don't need the hassle.
Any fool can make life more difficult ...

Roland_Sausage

Fertilizer wrote: »

Exactly. £20 is only the max per transaction.
x 4 = £80 per day
= £560 per week
= over £2,000 per month if you only check your statement monthly - or not at all.

Oh - is that all ??

Yes, but you wouldn't leave it a month to report it stolen would you? :eek:

Fertilizer

Oh dear. You've missed one of the points.
When you wave a card at a reader, it doesn't keep the card does it ?? But it does get the money ...