Ok this was featured on BBC1 recently. Most of us have a contactless bank/credit card of some sort. As it can be read from a short distance with readily available apps out there. There’s an easy way to prevent it by simply putting the card in a RF proof wallet. These are available from http://owlprotect.uk/. It’s was demonstrated by the person doing the “scam” on tv purchasing a safe from Amazon. Simple and cheap to prevent just depends how paranoid you are
Try and find anyone under the age of 30 that regularly carries cash nowadays! all is paid for with contactless
I won't have contactless for exactly that reason, when my card was replaced last time it came contactless so I took it back to the bank and asked them to swap it and show me as "opting out" of contactless. It now comes as a normal card.
Glad you like it DD, as to quick doesn’t take long to take it out the cover. I bought those ones. Does the job and I still have the option of contactless payment if I want it.
I have a barrier card in my card wallet that blocks signals. Works a treat. I tested it at a coffee shop recently and it would not accept the card much to the confusion of the pimply youth behind the till. Producing cash seemed to annoy them for some reason
tin foil may well work but if it gets the slightest crease in it, it would scratch your card to buggery.
Any form of card payment that is simple and easy to use will always be simple and easy to scam. Billions of dollars/pounds every year being stolen through debit/credit cards, the fastest growing criminal activity in the world along with drugs. How long and how many claims will insurance keep covering it, and who ultimately pays for that ? Cash wherever possible, it also keeps a nice reality check when you're thinking of parting with your hard earned brass.
I don't understand the theory of the security number on the back of your card, you know the one? To stop fraudulent use of your card, you have to tell everybody what it is anyway!!
As I understand it after reading this topic on other forums, in order for the scam to work, the card has to be activated to be contactless. I think when you first use the card you have to use your PIN and after that the contactless swipe works. Although my card is contactless I've never used the swipe / contactless system so, as far as I know my card is cannot be read.
Used tin foil in my wallet since they came out, had no problems, I refuse to use contactless any way so it makes no difference if it did get scratched, I use it to draw my money out or put money in the bank through the post office as I've done for years, I don't use atm's and only use on line banking for balance enquieries. I don't use paypal if I can avoid it, not even a proper bank, rather phone an eBay seller and pay direct if I can or find them on line, why have another security weak link in the system like paypal? I use cash only, no problems on phlishing etc, worst problems I've had is refusal of Scot's money 'darn sarf' and that's very rare!
There'll always be some scumbag who will find a way to relieve you of your cash whatever way you pay. Personally I think you'll be fine with contactless payment if you are careful - as with anything. Bloody good thing in my view - easy paying for fuel for the bike and if the bloke in front is using it - hardly any queuing! Had a mate who would not use cash machines, internet banking, ebay, paypal and all the rest - always went to the bank to get cash out, always on about how it was the safest way etc etc. Drew out £150.00 once then drove off the forecourt with the wallet on his roof. Nothing is fool proof
