I do not like the concept of contactless cards, either credit cards or any other. I decided to ask M B N A for my credit card to be changed to a non-contactless one. My request was declined. Does anyone know if some of the other banks or credit card companies are more sympathetic to customers' requests?
I think most companies will only issue contactless credit cards. However, most of the Major Banks will issue a debit card which is not contactless on request.
If you want to keep a credit card facility you could purchase one of the protective wallets from somewhere like Amazon and just refuse to make a transaction without using your pin.
I have one of those protective card holders and have never made a contactless transaction. However, l do think that customers should be given the choice - contactless or non-contactless.
My latest card, sent to me last week, is a contactless one. However, I used it in the normal way in Morrisons yesterday, entering my pin number. Felt safer somehow.
The hoi polloi are not allowed choice any more. They might actually start to think that they are worth something. They'll do as authorities and commercial companies tell them and be grateful to accept whatever is offered; no matter how foolish the system is.
You can still use your pin with contactless cards. Some places have limits on the transaction amount and in Tesco, if you get cash back you have to use your pin, which is good.
I like the convenience of mine for small transactions.
I have a card which is 'contactless' but I never use it like that.Always use the PIN . Just because your card has the facility to be contactless does not mean you have to use it.
The maximum amount of any contactless transaction is £30. The retailer doesn't know, nor care, if your card is contactless and you use it whichever way you prefer.
The problem with contactless cards is what happens if your card is stolen. There's no point in just saying "use it like a non-contactless card and put your PIN in when you pay if you prefer".
If it's stolen, the thief isn't going to worry about that. He'll just go around buying loads of things without being challenged. It does worry me.
I think a bank would notice pretty quickly if a whole succession of low value contactless cards transactiions came through. I've had one for a couple of years and haven't used the feature more than 4 times.