There are so many ways to pay with your credit and debit cards these days. And contactless cards are one of the latest ways to pay at the register.
So what is a contactless card? Are contactless cards safe and secure? And where can you use them? Keep reading to find out.
Key takeaways
Contactless cards work a lot like mobile wallets. The transaction is completed by holding or tapping the card on a contactless-enabled card reader. The technology is also known as “tap to pay” or “tap and go.”
It’s up to 10 times faster than swiping, inserting or using cash. Plus, it keeps your info secure and your hands off the card reader.
Many of Capital One’s U.S.-issued credit cards and debit cards now feature contactless technology. And if your credit card is attached to a digital wallet like Apple Pay® or Google Pay®, you can also make payments by tapping your smartphone, smartwatch or other connected device.
To check whether your Capital One card is contactless, just look for the contactless symbol on the front or back of your card. The contactless symbol is four vertical, curved lines that get bigger from left to right—like the Wi-Fi symbol turned on its side.
Contactless cards use radio-frequency identification (RFID) and near-field communication (NFC) technologies. They enable the card to communicate with the card reader when the card is held near the reader during a transaction.
Contactless cards also typically come with an EMV chip and the usual credit or debit card number, expiration date, security code and magnetic stripe. This gives cardholders a variety of options at checkout. So if a store doesn’t have contactless readers, you can still swipe your card or use the chip reader.
When you hold your contactless card to the contactless reader, it securely authenticates your card information. Then the merchant’s point-of-sale system sends the transaction to the card issuer, like Capital One. The issuer then analyzes the transaction before approving it.
That might seem like a lot of steps. But the tap-and-go process usually takes less than a second, which is quicker than inserting or dipping a chip card—and way faster than using cash.
Whether you’re using Visa® or Mastercard®, contactless payments work the same way. Here’s how to use a contactless credit card:
Once you know how to use contactless credit and debit cards, it takes just a few seconds to complete the payment process.
There are so many places where contactless cards can be used. Thousands of merchants in grocery stores, fast-food restaurants, convenience stores and gas stations across the country now support contactless technology. And public transit systems in cities like Chicago, Miami, New York City and Portland let riders pay fares using contactless cards too.
Check to see which merchants support contactless payments in your area with Mastercard’s handy contactless locator, and try tapping today to check out faster and more securely than ever.
Now you know more about how contactless cards work. But how safe are contactless cards?
According to Visa, contactless payments are one of the most secure ways to pay.
Each contactless transaction creates a unique, one-time code or password—a security process known as tokenization. This helps reduce risk because the code can’t be used again—and it can be read only by the card-processing network.
Still have questions about how contactless cards work? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions:
What is contactless payment?
Contactless payment refers to transactions that use touch-free technology. It can be done with a credit or debit card from a financial institution or through another company offering contactless payment technology, like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
How do I protect my contactless credit card?
You can help protect your contactless card just like you would any other debit or credit card. There are many different credit card security features that can help you keep your money safer. And you can learn more about how to prevent identity theft to help keep all your information safer too.
How many times can you use a contactless card in a day?
You can use your contactless credit card as often as you would any other debit or credit card. There isn’t a limit on how many times you can use a card because it’s contactless.
What happens if you lose your contactless card and someone uses it?
You should report your card as lost or stolen as soon as possible. That goes for any card, whether it’s contactless or not. The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) says that your liability for fraudulent credit card charges tops out at $50. But that’s only if the fraudulent charges are investigated and verified. And for that to happen, you have to report them.
Using contactless credit and debit cards at checkout can speed up your time at the register. Plus, it can be a more secure way to pay.
Interested in finding more ways to make online shopping convenient and secure? Learn how things like virtual card numbers and Eno, your Capital One assistant, let you shop online without giving merchants your actual card number.
The EMVCo Contactless Symbol and Contactless Indicator, consisting of four graduating arcs, are trademarks owned by and used with permission of EMVCo, LLC.
Eno is learning all the time and may not catch everything. Eno may not catch all eligible charitable transactions and is not a tax advisor. Potential charitable donations identified by Eno may or may not qualify with the IRS. Eno service outages may occur. Capital One customers are responsible for regularly checking their account statements. Web access is needed to use mobile banking. Check with your service provider for details on specific fees and charges. Texting with Eno means you agree to chat about your account over SMS and receive recurring messages. Message and data rates may apply. Mobile phone carrier fees for text messages may apply.
Some or all Eno features may not be available to all Capital One customers, depending on the types of accounts held. For example, certain bank accounts are not eligible to text with Eno, and Eno email notifications, app notifications and virtual card numbers from Eno may not be available for certain credit cards.
The Eno browser extension for virtual card numbers is only available in certain web browsers, and enrollment is required. Virtual card numbers are not available for debit cards and some credit cards.
We hope you found this helpful. Our content is not intended to provide legal, investment or financial advice or to indicate that a particular Capital One product or service is available or right for you. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consider talking with a qualified professional.
The EMVCo Contactless Symbol and Contactless Indicator, consisting of four graduating arcs, are trademarks owned by and used with permission of EMVCo, LLC.
Capital One does not provide, endorse or guarantee any third-party product, service, information, or recommendation listed above. The third parties listed are solely responsible for their products and services, and all trademarks listed are the property of their respective owners.
