Contactless cards

Hi

You can also get a contactless band that you wear on your wrist - the bPay band (from Barclaycard - but you don't have to be a Barclay customer to get one) contains what is in effect the chip from a credit card embedded in a strap that you wear - so you don't even have to get your credit card out.

You can also get a sticker that attaches to the back of your phone, or a key fob to attach to your keys.

(I know all about this as I worked on the bPay project!)

I've got a friend who has attached a little sleigh bell on her purse - it rings every time it is moves. Drives me mad, but a good idea!

Call me old-fashioned but I don't like them at all.
We were sent them as replacement cards and I didn't realise they were contactless until I went to use it.
I asked the bank for a normal one and chopped up the other one, but DH still has his.

Another safety ruse is always to carry your bag with the opening side facing your body. More difficult to get at for a thief.

And I use a shoulder bag which I use crossed across my front (as well as face inwards) in crowded areas.

Bit miserable that we are having to take such steps. I guess the rise in drug use is a factor - addicts just need the cash.

Just remember not to carry your contactless card next to your Oyster card or you will suffer 'card clash'!

Sorry, Martin, I won't be going in for any of that stuff. Sounds like a recipe for multiple disasters to me.
I'm thinking of asking for a non-contactless card also.

I always use a shoulder bag with the strap across my body, nowadays, as I am sure that tensing up one shoulder to carry a bag contributed to my getting an agonizingly sore shoulder a few years ago.