Problem with TSB contactless?

Chaykin

Vortigern wrote: »

I wonder whether TSB set their own PIN check policy, or is it standard across all Visa contactless debit cards?

Typically it's that for every 3 consecutive contactless transactions it will force a PIN transaction irrelevant of the value.

qsk

20aday wrote: »

I tried Apple Pay in my local Tesco (Metro) on Monday and despite it working aOK in the past two different cards refused to work.

Probably a faulty terminal; when I used it another time the card reader asked me to insert my card/enter a PIN.

I got same issues with my contactless: the terminal says OK but the till says Problems. So I guess Tesco terminals do have problems.

colsten

Chaykin wrote: »

Typically it's that for every 3 consecutive contactless transactions it will force a PIN transaction irrelevant of the value.

I think the checking algorithm is a lot more sophisticated than just counting the number of consecutive purchases, and I don't think the algorithm will ever be published.

Chaykin

colsten wrote: »

I think the checking algorithm is a lot more sophisticated than just counting the number of consecutive purchases, and I don't think the algorithm will ever be published.

Of course I'm not saying that's the whole algorithm, but it's definitely a part of it as I empirically checked once by making 9 (sic!) consecutive transactions with my TSB debit card at Aldi! :-) Simply did my weekly shop and ask the guy behind the till to only scan few items at a time. (about 6-7 quid per transaction, luckily the store was quiet and there was no one behind me in the queue) 3 contactless payments went through OK, then it forced a PIN transaction when I tried contactless, then another 3 contactless payments went OK, another forced PIN one + final contactless one which was processed OK. ;-)

I also know that if you do 3 consecutive contactless transactions in a short period and then don't use the card for few days the "counter" will somehow reset itself and it will not force a Chip & PIN when you try contactless next time.

colsten

Your test is showing is that for an unrepresentative use of contactless payments in a short period of time, you got consistently asked for your PIN after 3 uses.

9 samples of one single person at one single retailer using one single bank's card do not constitute a statistically valid sample from which to draw the conclusion that typically it's that for every 3 consecutive contactless transactions it will force a PIN transaction [STRIKE]irrelevant[/STRIKE] regardless of the value..

alanwsg

I have both Santander and TSB contactless cards.
Apart from the first time of use (For which I believe you must use the PIN) I've never been asked for my PIN.

Chaykin

@colsten: ....ok, you are right, ever so sorry for any inconveniences caused...

Personally I think that the "algorithm" is not so sophisticated and claims that "contactless cards use the same secure technology as Chip and PIN" are mainly for marketing, to limit cash payments as much as possible.

IMHO main part of the "algorithm" is to do with consecutive contactless payments in a set period of time. Even VISA on their official site - https://www.visa.co.uk/products/visa-contactless/faqs - say that "Each participating contactless bank sets a limit on the number or value of Visa contactless transactions that can be made before a cardholder is asked to do a normal chip and PIN transaction."

Banks in UK do not publicly say what the limits are but banks in other countries do, see e.g.:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contactless_payment
https://www.permanenttsb.ie/about-us/need-help/productsupport/contactless-visa-debit-card-faqs/

adindas

Try this, it might work
I have the same problem in the past. I even asked for Card replacement. I learnt it from this forum as well as making my own observation.

It seems that PIN verification is to avoid fraud, so try to establish trust. Since then I do not have problem anymore.

This is what I have done
- For small transaction for instance lower than £1, I just used my PIN instead of Contactless as the cashback is negligible.So next time I am using it for transaction of just below £30, thre is a very good chance, it will not fail.

- Also I used it to withdraw cash from the Cash Machine occasionally as for this transaction it will need to use PIN. So this will establish trust. But I always refill it again to reach £2000 to optimise interest earning of 5%.

Try this, there is a good chance it will solve your problem as well ...

katejo

Yesterday I was able to use my contactless card to buy something. All I had done was just a cash withdrawal, no purchase with the PIN.

Anthorn

katejo wrote: »

I have only had the above card for about 6-8 months. The contactless feature started working intermittently and eventually failed. I requested a new card which arrived yesterday. I tried to use it today but again it failed. I will test it in another place first before contacting TSB again. I really wish that it was possible to talk to a real person instead of getting automated responses. Fortunately it isn't my main bank account so I have alternative cards.

Has anyone else had the same problem please?

Yes I do have problems. In fact I accessed these forums today specifically to ask the question that is already asked in this thread.

Previously I had the Classic account and I never had a problem with contactless. But then I upgraded to Classic Plus and that was when my problem with contactless started: Contactless fails every other time I try to use it and I have to push the card into the terminal and enter my PIN number.

While contactless is more likely to fail at Tesco at amounts over £10 the problem is not confined to Tesco and happens everywhere including Wilko, Iceland and Pound Shop.

Personally, I am very satisfied with my TSB account but the failure of contactless and the loss of cashback is a blot on the landscape. It is also very frustrating to lose out on the contactless cashback.

Such is the situation that I get the inescapable feeling that I'm being ripped off and will probably switch to a different bank soon!