Contactless cards

I think the only thing you might not know is there's a low maximum limit it can be used for (£20?)

I haven't got one yet, but it seems to me that if your card is lost or stolen, it's like saying "Oh it's only £20 so that's OK if someone else uses it", as if low value theft/fraud is acceptable.

I can see how convenient it will be though.

I am the victim of a robbery earlier this year when I was bumped into in M and S Cafe and the thieves opened my bag and stole my purse which had all my credit/debit cards etc plus cash.

I phoned home and DH stopped all my cards within 20 minutes bless him.

However those dastardly thieves went straight to Lidl and used two cards which had the contactless facility and bought two lots of shopping just under £20 a go. As hubby had been so quick off the mark both banks paid the £20.

I can't tell you what a hoohah it was to replace everything and how upset I was as they had stolen photos of my grandchildren.

Contactless has just or will be soon increased to £30 a go.

Finally I bought from Amazon two slim chains which I attach to my purses and the attach to whichever bag I am using. I now use two purses one with cards in and one with change in so if I am robbed again (which is highly unlikely as I am like a trained ninja now ) they would only get half of my cash/cards,

They are certainly convenient and will be here to stay, regardless of the obvious disadvantage.

It is £30 now. I love them.

I use a chain too NanKate/NinjaKate ever since a young man tried to take my purse out of the front pocket of my shopping trolley under the pretence of tying his shoe lace while I was at a checkout.

These thieves are opportunists and just want to grab and go ASAP. I doubt they'd hang around fiddling with a purse attached to a bag/trolley by a 6" chain - it would literally pull them up short

I also use chains now (2ft), following hearing of NanKate's experience.

I find my contactless card very convenient, except that the reader in my local Co-op doesn't work with mine. If I should lose my card without being aware, a lot of £30 purchases could be made before I discovered the loss, which does worry me rather.

I have only used contactless once or twice when the nice girl in Costa Coffee showed me how but I was a bit shocked the other day when the barmaid at the golf club whipped my card out of my hand and gave it back with a flourish announcing she'd 'done the contactless for me'. Just shows you don't need to be present to have your card used by someone else.

I find them very useful.

Recently I head a spokesman for the banks on the radio talking about how successful they'd been and there are security systems in place that will pick up sudden changes in use e.g. if they are used for a full £30 in a shop that you never normally shop in. He emphasized how customers are protected against fraudulent use.

I think they're as safe as any other card.

Can someone please post a link to the kind of chains they are talking about? I can't quite imagine what you mean. How do you attach them to your bag or purse?

Here's mine attached to my rucksack. Clips on either end which I attach to the Zips. Got it on Amazon

That's upside down!

I have a bag with a zipped pocket on the front. I never keep anything in it - which is just as well as twice now I have got home and realised that the zip is undone and the lining has been pulled out.

Glad to read your post Riverwalk. My grandson now has his own current account which came with a contactless card. Tbh, the security thing had never crossed my mind until reading this thread. (He does love his card)

I was recently in a local shop when the customer in front of me discovered that her contactless card, which was still in her purse, had paid for her goods without her knowledge simply because it was within range. She was not happy because she had intended to ask for cash ask, but couldn't because the transaction had been completed! In theory, it could have been my shopping that she could have inadvertently paid for I've opted for a non-contactless card!!

Cashback not cash ask - bloody iPhone!!!

They're also useful for people travelling in London who don't have an Oyster card - no cash payments allowed now for tube or buses.

Oh! Can you choose?

I think an Oyster season ticket would be cheaper but for the occasional traveller they're ideal

My bank sent me one which I hadn't asked for and there was no indication on the accompanying letter whether I could opt not to use it.

Called in at my local branch and was told that of course I didn't have to have it - so went home and cut it up! My old card still has three years to run before its expiry date and it would have meant changing the number on my online accounts etc., as well as worrying about the risk!

GS has his Oyster card, but I'm wondering now whether a card using a pin would be better for him.

No, he can't use a pin number at the ticket barrier - he just has to scan and go!

now been increased to £30

Thanks Anya I get the idea now. I've had bags with cords before that were attached with press studs and I used them to attach my keys. I like the purse on a chain idea a lot because I sometimes need to use a stick or a walker and feel my bags are vulnerable.

janerowena and MiniMouse that's a bit of a shocker!

Riverwalk, sorry. I meant a card with a pin number when shopping. We are talking cross purposes. My fault!

I think they will be ideal for me in London- makes the underground so much simpler.