Contactless Payments

[sunny-dave]

Following on from another thread - how do you feel about 'contactless' payments?

I'm happy enough with single-purpose cards (eg Oyster Cards in London) where your liability is capped by how much you have loaded to the card, but am much less happy about contactless credit/debit cards.

I've avoided contactless cards as much as possible, by asking for a card without the function, or for it to be disabled on my accounts - but that no longer seems an option. All cards I've had renewed recently seem to incorporate contactless payments, with no way of opting-out.

I've invested in an RFID blocking wallet, but still don't like the fact that if a card is stolen it can be used without a PIN until I get it blocked. I know I should get the stolen funds reimbursed, but I'm still not comfortable with it.

[Old_Geezer]

I don't like them on principle. Bad enough that they seem hackable or triggered in error but even without that it makes it far too easy to spend spend spend without any real feel for what you are doing to your finances. They're something foisted upon the public by a commercial corporation that wants them.

[bhg481]

I also mistrust contactless payment cards. It's all very well them to say they'll refund any rogue debits but I'm away from being able to check my accounts (abroad) for weeks at a time and I just don't want to take the chance. Four of my card suppliers have sent me contactless cards recently (2 debit, 2 credit); all of them have replaced the new cards with non-contactless on request. Look on their website or ring their Customer Services number (on the back of the card).

[ummmm]

We were talking about this the other day. They send you a contactless card regardless but once you've got it you can go into the bank and request a new one. Daft.

[Cloverjo]

I agree, sunny-dave. I've got a contactless debit card, which I didn't ask for. It worries me in case my card goes missing and someone gets a load of less than £30 goods a time.
I know the banks say you'll be refunded if that happens, but it's a lot of hassle to sort out.
I don't know who this scheme benefits apart from someone in the queue behind a person who's paying for just a packet of crisps and a coke on his card. :)

[sunny-dave]

I agree bhg - it puts it all back onto me to watch my various accounts like a hawk - rather than just checking a monthly statement.

Fortunately, my main cards for overseas use are still non-contactless - I'll remeber your advice if they incorporate contactless when they are next reissued.

[ummmm]

I lost my purse just before xmas with both our cards in it. His being contactless. Cancelled the cards and they and ask loads of questions. When you use contactless in the local shop you don't get a receipt so the bank asking what the last purchase was I didn't have a clue.

Found the purse the day after I cancelled the cards!!

[Patsy33]

I remember my son telling me about a month ago that although banks refund rogue debits at the moment, they have reportedly said they will not refund quite so readily in the future, if the public can't satisfy their questions, eg, perhaps said person was negligent? ....That is worrying.

[bhg481]

You've got to bear in mind that not everybody is as honest as you Patsy33. It is not beyond belief that people will contactlessly buy a few items and then "lose" their card. The bank is entitled to confirm that the "loss" is genuine.

[Eleena]

I'm not too keen myself Houghton. Never lost a contactless card, but wouldn't fancy going through being questioned over it if it was lost then used.

[Eleena]

Whoops! Sorry ... http://www.independent.co.uk/money/spend-save/contactless-cards-the-pros-and-cons-of-new-payment-technology-1968747.html

[hc4361]

I have no problem using contactless cards. I have a very smart, slim card holder that stops the card being read by machines or thieves but I mostly use my phone to make contactless payments - mainly because I get 5% cash back on each purchase.

My phone is very safe - I only turn on the NFC when I use the phone to pay and it is locked at all times.

In the past I have lost my pay packet out of my back pocket (could have been pickpocketed) and my wife has had her handbag stolen. I am convinced that I once passed two £20 notes instead of one once, I didn't realise until I got home. Carrying cash is not particularly safe either.

[ummmm]

How do you get 5% cashback?

[hc4361]

TSB current account, ummmm.

[ummmm]

We really need to stop being so lazy and shop around :-)

[Eleena]

I just think you need to be so on the ball with what you're doing with new technology, I'm not that kind of person. I prefer a pin and deduct from a written balance when I get home.

[New Judge]

"When you use contactless in the local shop you don't get a receipt..."

You should always ask for one, ummmm, regardless of what method of payment you use.

I love my contactless debit card. Dead handy in the pub when buying three or four pints of Crudgingtons' Old and Filthy when in town with my Old Codger mates. Saves having to keep going to the bank to get beer vouchers. I think we've all got to move on despite our misgivings. I can see a time, not too far ahead, when the only places that will accept cash will be those keeping two sets of books (one real and one for the VATman).

[Eleena]

Yes it's inevitable, I already have contactless payment.

[Patsy33]

Yes I understand that bhg, they have to protect themselves too. Unfortunately, when the banks make it harder for you to prove one hasn't been careless with said card, then a lot of honest people will be poorer...

[hereIam]

Won't use them.

[New Judge]

"Won't use them."

Just out of interest, why not? Is it the security implications or something else?