What is a contactless credit card?

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.

You can get an Amex contactless card either by applying for an American Express credit card, or by requesting a replacement card. However, these are not the only options.

It is worth noting that Amex began issuing contactless cards to new and existing cardholders a while back.

How to get one of Amex’s contactless cards:... read full answer

• By applying for any American Express credit card
• By requesting an updated, contactless-enabled card either online, or by calling the number on the back of your card.
• Alternatively, you can wait until Amex replaces your current credit card with a contactless card.

What you should know about contactless credit cards:

Contactless credit cards let you skip the card swipe or chip “dip” at the cash register in favor of a “tap”. Simply tap your card on the payment terminal and you’re all set. You can use your Amex contactless card at any terminal that accepts contactless payments. Plus, it has the same security level as EMV chip cards, so it’s still more secure than swiping a card.

You can easily check to see if your card has contactless payments enabled by looking for the contactless symbol on the front or back (a triangle-shaped set of four curved lines increasing in height, moving left to right). The same symbol on the payment terminal indicates that it accepts contactless payments.

Yes, the Citi Double Cash Card is contactless. Citibank began issuing contactless cards to new and existing cardholders a while back. Using Citi Double Cash Card for contactless payments eliminates the need to swipe or insert the card into the payment reader. But Citi Double Cash Card still comes with both an EMV chip and the magnetic stripe, so it can be used for standard credit card payments, too.... read full answer

To tell if a payment reader will accept contactless cards, look for the contactless indicator somewhere on the reader. You should see a triangle-shaped set of four curved lines increasing in height, moving left to right. You will also find this symbol on the front of all Citi Double Cash Cards and other Citi credit cards that have the contactless chip technology.

What you should know about the Citi Double Cash Card contactless feature:

• Each transaction generates a unique code every time you use the Citi Double Cash Card for a contactless payment. This protects your card information and reduces the risk of fraudulent transactions.
• If you accidentally tap the card twice, you’ll only be charged once for that purchase.
• Contactless transactions are faster than chip card payments (and just as secure). They actually save time on both sides of the checkout counter, since the card never leaves your hand.

Whether you use the Citi Double Cash Card for contactless purchases or you choose to swipe or insert the card at the payment reader, you’re still covered by Citi’s account protection benefits, such as $0 liability for unauthorized charges.