Contactless
Contactless Cards
Contactless is a new feature currently being introduced on payment cards (debit, credit and pre-paid) in the UK to make purchases quicker and more convenient for both retailers and consumers. Cards featuring Contactless payment technology can be used for transactions of £10 or less by simply holding the card to a secure reader - without the need to enter a PIN.
Although a Contactless transaction does not require a PIN to be entered, from time-to-time the terminal will ask that the cardholder undertake a full contact chip and PIN transaction. This is designed to deter fraudulent use should the card be lost or stolen; each time a PIN is used it re-affirms that the cardholder is in possession of their card.
Consumers
To find out more about Contactless, you can visit either MasterCard® PayPass™ or Visa payWave; these sites also provide detailed, up to date information about which retailers accept Contactless cards. Alternatively, you can contact your card company to find out more - although it is worth being aware that at this stage not all card companies are offering Contactless cards to all their customers.
Retailers
Contactless.info is a web site designed specifically for retailers in the UK who have an interest in Contactless card acceptance. The site contains general information about Contactless and an insight into the potential business benefits; as well as training materials and point-of-sale material designs to help promote Contactless usage. The site has been prepared in conjunction with all the leading card companies in the UK.
Issues around fraud and security are covered in the Contactless.info FAQs section.
