Contactless - why?

DragonQ

Honestly the only time I've wanted to use contactless is when buying lunch at work because it's much quicker. Unfortunately, the cashback credit card that I use to buy everything doesn't have contactless and Nationwide isn't planning on introducing it as of now.

I guess it's useful for replacing Oyster cards too.

robin58

dzug1 wrote: »

I think it's 6 transactions (possibly a variable number) before you get asked for a PIN on the next one

Actually it's maximum of 3 contactless payments before you have to put in your pin to confirm you are the holder.

The source, my bank who I hold my account with.

robin58

The shops I have found who allow contactless so far are.

Lidl, Aldi, Wilkinson and Marks and Spencer. All these work with my debit card.

But I have noticed only Wilkinson will accept my contactless credit card.

Have to put my pin in for the others.

username

benjus wrote: »

So what happens if you're trying to get into a tube station or board a London bus when you hit this limit? There's no chip & PIN option there...

I've only used contactless on London transport once (I normally use an annual Travelcard on Oyster), but I must say I wasn't very impressed. The machine rejected the card I wanted to use. I know there's nothing wrong with the card as I use it a lot for contactless, and the machine wasn't completely broken as it accepted another card I had with me.

Maybe it was because I'd done a certain number of contactless transactions since I last entered a PIN, or maybe it was something completely different. Either way I wouldn't have been happy if I'd been forced to go and pay for a paper ticket due to their systems not working.

I read somewhere that they have an 'exception' with banks so that their contactless transactions are treated "specially" and so don't count towards any contactless limits.

Kind of makes sense really, otherwise people would be getting stuck inside the tube network with their card getting rejected asking for a PIN.

For the irregular public transport traveller like myself, I find the contactless feature to be invaluable. No need to think about how much I have to top up my oyster to cover my journeys, or indeed having to go to a newsagent to top up, I can just touch in with my card and be on my way.

I don't think there's any hard and fast rules with regards to the amount of times you can undertake contactless transactions before having to enter your PIN. Sometimes my card can go for 6-7 transactions before prompting for a PIN whilst sometimes it can be as low as 2-3.

I also sometimes find my card can be temperamental with the readers on buses, always saying 'card read error' first time, second time always works fine.

C_Mababejive

Herbalus wrote: »

I don't share this concern. Firstly, contactless transactions are limited to a maximum of 6 transactions worth a maximum £120 (going up to £180 in September) and that's if your thief can get 6 transactions worth as close to £20 - but not over - as possible. Contactless doesn't give carte blanche for thieves to spend your current account.

In any case, fraudulent contactless transactions are covered by your bank so you won't be out of pocket.

I have just been supplied with a contactless credit and debit card. I dont recall being given a choice and i dont particularly want them. If i lose it and someone finds it and they use it for multiple transactions, i wonder how long it will take for the bank to pay me back? I will bet it could be weeks.
That isnt acceptable
The other thing of course is that it appears unscrupulous people can use cheap RFID readers as available on ebay, to read off card data in crowded places /close proximity.

Perhaps i should cut my antenna or request proper non contactless cards?

reclusive46

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I have just been supplied with a contactless credit and debit card. I dont recall being given a choice and i dont particularly want them. If i lose it and someone finds it and they use it for multiple transactions, i wonder how long it will take for the bank to pay me back? I will bet it could be weeks.
That isnt acceptable
The other thing of course is that it appears unscrupulous people can use cheap RFID readers as available on ebay, to read off card data in crowded places /close proximity.

Perhaps i should cut my antenna or request proper non contactless cards?

Fraud on contactless is very low. If you have more than one contactless card in your wallet the readers can't read them anyway. The banks also have to refund any fraudulent charges within 24 hours. Given the low contactless limit fraudsters arnt going to risk getting a random security check for such a low amount.

Bloomberg

DragonQ wrote: »

Honestly the only time I've wanted to use contactless is when buying lunch at work because it's much quicker. Unfortunately, the cashback credit card that I use to buy everything doesn't have contactless and Nationwide isn't planning on introducing it as of now.

I guess it's useful for replacing Oyster cards too.

It is somewhat disappointing that any financial institution doesn't issue contactless cards. I know that they aren't the be all and end all but it is nice to have the choice. The Nationwide are rooted in the dark ages.

C_Mababejive

reclusive46 wrote: »

Fraud on contactless is very low. If you have more than one contactless card in your wallet the readers can't read them anyway. The banks also have to refund any fraudulent charges within 24 hours. Given the low contactless limit fraudsters arnt going to risk getting a random security check for such a low amount.

I hear you but im not sure the general public is fully aware of what might be going on.

Have a look here

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-USB-RFID-Contactless-Proximity-Smart-Card-Reader-Brand-New-125Khz-EM4100-/251015674817

Why has this person managed to sell hundreds of these devices and why is it that other retailers are selling hundreds of same?

I'm not pitching as an expert just probing to get at the truth but i think i have read that such devices can skim data from contactless cards such as serial nos etc,,stuff that could be useful.

reclusive46

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I hear you but im not sure the general public is fully aware of what might be going on.

Have a look here

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-USB-RFID-Contactless-Proximity-Smart-Card-Reader-Brand-New-125Khz-EM4100-/251015674817

Why has this person managed to sell hundreds of these devices and why is it that other retailers are selling hundreds of same?

I'm not pitching as an expert just probing to get at the truth but i think i have read that such devices can skim data from contactless cards such as serial nos etc,,stuff that could be useful.

They have hundreds of uses to be honest. Skimming card data via RFID is pointless as you can't do huge amount with that data. Its much easier to attach a skimmer to a cash machine and steal hundreds of cards with data that can be used in far more places or put malware on a retailers POS.

knack92

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I hear you but im not sure the general public is fully aware of what might be going on.

Have a look here

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-USB-RFID-Contactless-Proximity-Smart-Card-Reader-Brand-New-125Khz-EM4100-/251015674817

Why has this person managed to sell hundreds of these devices and why is it that other retailers are selling hundreds of same?

I'm not pitching as an expert just probing to get at the truth but i think i have read that such devices can skim data from contactless cards such as serial nos etc,,stuff that could be useful.

Because there is legitimate uses for them?

Edit: Just noticed reclusive46's reply.