Is Citi Double Cash contactless?

A contactless credit card is a credit card equipped with a short-range radio frequency (RF) antenna that allows cardholders to pay by hovering their card near a payment terminal, or “tapping to pay,” without inserting or swiping their card. Contactless credit cards have a small symbol on the front or back of the card, similar to a sideways Wi-Fi symbol, to indicate that they can make contactless payments. Contactless-enabled payment terminals may also have the symbol.… read full answer

Here’s how to use a contactless credit card:

To pay with a contactless credit card, simply tap the card on the contactless-enabled payment terminal, or hold the card within a few inches of the terminal. The RF antenna then transmits a one-time-use code - called a “token” - which represents and masks the cardholders’ account information while facilitating the transaction.

For this reason, contactless credit card transactions are safer than swiping and just as safe as EMV chip transactions. Contactless cards also make for a much faster transaction than “dipping” an EMV chip.

Here’s how to get a contactless credit card:

If your current credit card isn’t contactless-enabled yet, call the number on the back of your card to see about getting a contactless replacement. Some card issuers have transitioned all of their credit and debit cards to contactless, while others only offer contactless capability on some credit cards.

Contactless credit cards are relatively new in the U.S. Nevertheless, many major credit card companies jumped on the contactless bandwagon by late 2019, including Chase, American Express, Capital One, Wells Fargo, Citibank, U.S. Bank, USAA, Bank of America, Barclays and Discover.

Yes, contactless credit cards are secure because they use the same security standards for transactions as EMV chip credit cards. Whether you’re using a contactless credit card and tapping to pay or inserting your EMV chip card into a card reader, the sensitive information sent to the card reader is encrypted. … read full answer

Both contactless and EMV chip credit cards create a unique, one-time-use code for the transaction instead of sending your name, billing address, CVV code, or zip code. This is called “tokenization.” So, even if a thief intercepted your contactless transaction, they couldn’t do much with the information.

Top 4 Safety Concerns About Contactless Credit Cards (and Why You Shouldn’t Worry)

1. Can someone intercept my card info from a distance?
   No, it is not possible for someone to read your card from a distance as the technology behind contactless credit cards is based on a short-range RF (radio frequency) antenna that only transmits digital data within a very small range. In other words, it requires the card to be within a very short proximity (1-2 inches) of the payment terminal.
2. Is short-range skimming a possibility?
   Although Mastercard acknowledges the existence of phone apps that can pick up some of the data from contactless cards, the thief would have to be in extremely close proximity to the card, and the app could only read the account number and the card’s expiration date.
   
   A typical card transaction requires the account number, the expiration date, the security code on the back of the card (CVV) and/or the ZIP code from the billing address. So, even though it’s possible for fraudsters to collect some data from your credit card, the information they would be able to capture is not enough to complete a purchase.
3. Can contactless credit cards be duplicated?
   The contactless and EMV chip technology makes it harder for fraudsters to duplicate your card. When you make a credit card payment, it provides the reader with a unique, one-time code that identifies the transaction. This number is dynamic and cannot be copied.
   
   However, contactless credit cards still have a magnetic stripe, so the info from the magnetic stripe can be cloned and used by others. But the stolen information would only work for swiped purchases.
   
   Keep in mind that even in cases like this, an issuer’s fraud liability guarantee protects you from having to pay for unauthorized transactions made with your card.
4. Can someone use my lost/stolen credit card for purchases?
   Although contactless credit cards are secure in terms of technology, there is a downside for lost and stolen contactless cards. Usually, when making a contactless payment, no PIN or signature is required for small purchases.
   
   So, if your card is lost or stolen, it could be used by someone else without easy detection. In this case, make sure to contact your credit card issuer right away. You don’t need to worry too much about it, though, as you will not be held responsible for fraudulent and unauthorized charges.

Ultimately, it is worth noting that both EMV chip cards and contactless credit cards are more secure than swiping your card’s magnetic stripe.

The best Citi Double Cash Card benefits are virtual account numbers and Citi Entertainment. The Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer also has identity theft protection and contactless chip technology, which are more common perks across Citibank credit cards.

This card also offers 2% cash back on every purchase, an introductory APR of 0% for 18 months on balance transfers, and a $0 annual fee.… read full answer

Citi Double Cash Card Benefits

• Virtual account numbers
• Citi Entertainment
• Identity theft protection
• Contactless chip technology
• Account activity alerts
• Zero liability fraud protection

Along with these benefits, the Citi Double Cash Card gives 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay for those purchases). The card also offers an introductory APR of 0% for 18 months on balance transfers (17.74% - 27.74% (V) regular APR). There’s also a balance transfer fee of: 3% intro fee ($5 min) for each transfer in first 4 months, after that 5% ($5 min) for each transfer. This card also has a $0 annual fee.

As long as you have good credit, the Citi Double Cash Card is certainly a card to consider adding to your wallet.