In the past year, more and more people have gotten interested in safer ways to pay for day-to-day purchases, without unnecessary contact with public surfaces. As a result, "tap to pay" contactless debit and credit cards have been becoming much more popular.
Instead of having to swipe or insert your card, contactless cards use special technology called Near Field Communication (NFC) that lets you complete a payment easily, without having to touch a check-out terminal or punch numbers into a keypad. Just a quick tap on the terminal to pay as you check out, and you're good to go.
If you've got a contactless debit card or credit card, and it's your first time using it to pay, there are just a few things to know for a successful, convenient experience. Here's how to use your contactless card.
1. Look for the Contactless Symbol
While you can use your contactless debit card at just about any payment terminal, to use its "tap to pay" functionality, you'll need to find a terminal that can recognize it. Just keep an eye out for the contactless symbol when you're out shopping or dining.
This symbol has been standardized across the industry, so it should be easy to recognize once you know what it looks like.
2. Tap to Pay
Once you're ready to pay, simply tap or wave your card 1 to 2 inches over the contactless-enabled payment terminal. Once it's close enough, the card will automatically be read.
In most cases, there's no need to type in a PIN or sign your name—the secure technology in the card will confirm your identity and card account with a digital, one-time security code that protects your payment information.
3. And That's It! You're Done
As soon as the terminal recognizes your card, you'll get the same visual and/or audio confirmation that you'd get from inserting or swiping the card. Just take your receipt, and you can be on your way!
To learn more, visit our page on Bank of Hawaii's contactless cards. And if you're interested in getting started with a digital wallet, we've got information on that, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don't see a contactless symbol on the payment terminal. Can I still use my card to pay?
Yes, if a store doesn't have a contactless reader, no need to worry—you can still pay by swiping or inserting the card, and the terminal will recognize it and process the payment.
Do I need to hold my contactless card in a special direction?
In most cases, the terminal will read your card best when it's flat over the contactless symbol. If you don't get a payment confirmation right away, try tapping the card on the machine.
How long do I need to hold my card to the checkout terminal?
Holding your contactless card to the terminal for 1 to 2 seconds should be enough to complete the payment.
Is it possible to accidentally make a purchase if I get too close to a contactless-enabled payment terminal?
No. Your card can't be charged unless the store has already rung up your purchase. And because the card must be within 1 to 2 inches of the terminal for a transaction to take place, it would be very unlikely to happen by accident.
I have more than one contactless card in my wallet—could I be charged twice for a purchase?
No. Contactless-enabled checkout terminals communicate with only one card at a time.
You can make contactless payments in stores and on some transit systems with your Android phone. The first payment method you add to Google Pay becomes your default way to pay for all contactless payments. When you make a contactless payment, your default method is automatically charged. You can change your default contactless payment method.
Tip: After you add a card, you might see a small temporary authorization on your account from Google. This authorization checks that your card and account are valid. It won’t be charged to your balance and will go away soon. Most temporary authorizations leave your account within 48 hours.
If you add one or more payment methods to Google Pay, you can set up contactless payments.
- Open the Google Pay app .
- At the top right, tap your Profile picture Wallet.
- Swipe to the card you want to enable and tap Verify now.
- If you’re asked to verify your payment method, choose an option from the list. Learn how to verify your payment method.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setup.
If you have more than one card set up for contactless payments, you can choose which one to use by default.
- On your Android phone, open the Google Pay app .
- At the top right, tap your Profile picture Wallet.
- Swipe left or right to the card you want to use.
- Tap the card you want to use as your default contactless payment method.
- Tap Set as default contactless.
In this article:
Contactless debit cards let you make purchases by tapping a payment terminal. This form of payment gives you a faster checkout experience, but is it safe, and how do you shield your information from fraudsters?
As the use of contactless debit and credit cards increases in the United States, you may want to know more about the security features of this payment method. Read on to learn how contactless debit cards work, why they're safer than magnetic stripe card payments and how to protect your information from fraudsters.
Contactless debit cards are similar to mobile wallets: You can make purchases without swiping your card, inserting it into a card reader or handing your card to a cashier. Instead, you tap or hold your card up to the card reader to make a purchase, and the amount is debited from your bank account.
These cards use radio-frequency identification (RFID) to sync with card readers, authenticate your card data and approve or deny the transaction. Each transaction is encrypted and uses a one-time code or password to secure your card data. Doing so prevents fraudsters from cloning the card since they won't have information such as your name, billing address or three-digit CVV code on the back of the card.
The average processing time for contactless card transactions is much shorter than inserting your card into a chip reader or swiping it, offering a convenient option when you're on the go.
Unlike making an online or phone payment where you need to provide your name, CVV code and ZIP code, contactless debit cards use touchless one-time encryption to read and transmit your data to your credit card company. Making payments this way is as safe as using a chip card and more secure than magnetic stripe payments, which can fall victim to skimming or shimming scams.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, contactless debit cards have provided an additional measure of safety for those who prefer to reduce their amount of physical contact while shopping. An April 2020 Mastercard study showed a spike in contactless payment usage globally between February and March of that year as the pandemic took hold.
Still have reservations about the technology or prefer not to use the contactless feature? You can continue to use your contactless debit card by inserting it into a chip card reader or swiping it at the payment terminal.
Although contactless debit cards offer an added layer of security, you can and should take additional steps to protect your account information. Enable card security features, such as real-time purchase notifications and fraud alerts, to say on top of account activity. Also, use the card lock feature (if available) if your card is stolen or misplaced.
Here are more tips to keep the account tied to your contactless debit card safe:
- Avoid using odd-looking payment terminals
- Review your account activity regularly to ensure transactions are valid
- Report suspicious or fraudulent transactions to your card issuer immediately
- Contact your bank or credit union promptly if your card is lost or stolen
If your card is compromised, contact your bank or credit union right away. Many offer zero-liability protection for unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. The Electronic Fund Transfer Act also limits your losses to $50 if you contact your debit card issuer within two business days of learning about the theft or loss of your card. However, you could be on the hook for $500 if you report the theft more than two business days after discovering it occurred but fewer than 60 days after receiving your statement.
Some card issuers cap the amount of daily purchases, and others don't. You may also be prompted to enter a PIN if you exceed a set number of transactions in a day or initiate an ATM transaction. Check with your bank for details.
If you travel abroad, the card issuer could also impose daily transaction limits or require you to enter a PIN for purchases. Often, a credit card that doesn't charge transaction fees for international purchases is a better choice.
Don't yet have a contactless debit card? If you're interested, contact your bank or credit union and request an upgraded debit card with contactless payment capabilities.
You can also get a contactless credit card with zero-liability protection to make secure purchases. Use Experian CreditMatch™ to get matched with credit card offers based on your credit profile.