MSE Poll: Should the contactless spending limit be increased?

PRAISETHESUN

ISIHAC19 said:

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)?

I like this idea as well - have an option within online banking to set a personal contactless limit, up to the maximum allowed, to cater for people who wan't a bit more control over their (or a fraudster's, if the card gets stolen as seems to be the biggest concern) ability to spend

[Deleted User]

mjm3346 said:

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

what terrible thing happened to you with cash that makes you want it gone or a large surcharge for using cash?

Superscrooge

Slinky said:

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.

Thanks.  That appears to solve the mystery why after years of never having to enter my PIN when attempting a contactless transaction. I now find every couple of months I get asked to insert my PIN. 

I used to buy petrol every week inserting my PIN. Now I have an electric car I don't buy petrol (obviously!) and rarely use the card for purchases over £45 so I guess every couple of months they need to check it's still me using the card. 

mnaylor

I think it's about time that CC companies allow you to set your own contactless limit (Maybe up to a maximum of £200?).

molerat

Now they need to sort the machines out so they ask for a PIN instead of declining the transaction.

NaughtiusMaximus

molerat said:

Now they need to sort the machines out so they ask for a PIN instead of declining the transaction.

In a roundabout way that's what happens now. If the contactless payment is declined you do it the noughties way with chip and PIN.

Murphybear

mjm3346 said:

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

I’m betting you don’t live in a rural area and buy lots of things from markets.  We buy most of our fruit and veg and artisan bread from a market trader, cash only.  Lots of people still use cash.  You only have to see the queues at cash machines where we live to know that cash is very popular.

We used to live near Exmoor.  There were 2 fabulous tea shops which were closed in the winter.  Due to the costs involved they didn’t take cards as they would still be charged for the service when they were closed.  They were always busy, due to gorgeous views and gorgeous food.  Cash only, no problem.  

Murphybear

pollypenny said:

In the first lockout I found I'd used contactless so often that forgot my pin!  What an idiot!  

You are not an idiot.  I’ve had the same problem.  I tried to buy pay at the pump petrol yesterday but had forgotten my PIN and the petrol stations don’t do contactless.  Fortunately my husband was with me so he paid.

I put it down to my slowly fading memory, at 68 my memory isn’t as good as it used to be.