MSE Poll: Should the contactless spending limit be increased?

MattMattMattUK

Raising it to £100 would seem a sensible threshold, especially with the legal protections in place, ideally with a higher limit for biometrically verified devices (contactless via phone or smart watch).

MalMonroe

Super_Stomper said:

I have used contactless more often than usual due to the pandemic but mostly for smaller value items under £30. For anything greater I still prefer to use my PIN with the card. It's probably my age - I'm over 70 - but I still worry that my card could be scanned remotely and cloned and losing £100 in lots of shops along the high street would be a problem for me - even if I could eventually reclaim it back.

Please don't blame your age. I'm also over 70 (just) and don't believe that means I've suddenly lost all my faculties. How you want to store and use your money is your own business, however old you are. During the pandemic though I've been buying most things online which means via PayPal, which of course is linked to my current account. 

Anyone's card could be scanned remotely, I guess. The key is to check your online current account regularly for anomalies. Well, that's my key anyway.

NaughtiusMaximus

Christo61 said:

If it is increased to £100 or more. For safety sakes the credit card machine should be programmed to ask for one of your four PIN numbers. It’s not rocket science.. and will make the transaction a lot more secure.

That's utterly pointless, you may as well just stick to chip and PIN.

ISIHAC19

Before C-19 I had my c/c 'deactivated' so that it couldn't be used for contactless payments; I used cash for smaller spends. The much greater emphasis on using cards rather than cash since the pandemic took hold means that I have now started to use contactless payment, but only for smaller amounts. I'd like to suggest that technology should surely give card providers the ability to allow users to set their own limit (within reason)?

mjm3346

£500 or unlimited - and the sooner cash is gone or there is a large surcharge for using it the better.

Langtang

I don't think there should be limits, but within reason. I was always under the impression that when using a contactless card, you were randomly asked to put your PIN in, just to verify that it is you. In all the time I've been using it, I've never once been asked to enter my PIN.

Stompa

I'm not really bothered. Pretty much the only time I'm likely to exceed the existing limit is when shopping online, and it's irrelevant for that.

Emmia

mjm3346 said:

£500 or unlimited - and the sooner cash is gone or there is a large surcharge for using it the better.

Why do you think cash should be gone?

Slinky

Langtang said:

I don't think there should be limits, but within reason. I was always under the impression that when using a contactless card, you were randomly asked to put your PIN in, just to verify that it is you. In all the time I've been using it, I've never once been asked to enter my PIN.

Do you ever buy anything over £45 and need to put your number in then? That's the equivalent of them checking seemingly randomly on payments under £45.  Or you buy fuel at the petrol station and use the pay at pump, they will verify before dispensing fuel, again that's a check.

PRAISETHESUN

I'd say £100 is a good figure - no so low that you are forced to use Chip + PIN everywhere, but not so large that you'd lose a lot of money if your card was used fraudulently. 

Whatever the limit, I feel we could take a page out of the Australian book. For purchases above AUD100 (the contactless limit) you can still tap your card however the card reader will then prompt you for your PIN - no awkward rejection when you tapped instead of inserting your card, and it is still faster than having to insert your card.