Shoppers have been warned not to lose sight of their contactless bank cards in a bid the cut on fraud. Experts warn businesses were putting customers at risk by ignoring guidelines about the “Tap and go” technology.
Fraud experts are asked the government to make it a compulsory rule and urge customers to refuse payment if they are asked to hand over their contactless cards for payment. Taking cards away from customer goes against guidelines set by the UK Cards Association, which states that “the card or device should always stay in the customer’s hand, and both the retailer and the customer should follow the terminal prompts.”
While most high street retailers comply with the guideline, with stores placing card machines within easy reach of the customer. It is estimated £7.75 billion was spent using contactless cards last year which has been contributed to the increase of the payment limit to £30 and the growth of contactless for transport. James Daley from campaign group Fairer Finance says “The risk of bad practice and fraud is much more prevalent in busy bards and small shops. Taking people’s tap and go cards away has become so common people think that’s what they are meant to do, when in fact they should be doing the opposite.”
The Tap and Go Code:
- Place contactless card readers within sight and rich of the customer
- Customers should always handle the card
- Receipts must be issued for higher-value contactless payments
- Receipts should be provided for all payments upon request
- Customers have the right to use chip and pin if they prefer
