Your contactless card

The contactless card payment limit is £100

Since 15 October 2021, most UK retailers and merchants allow a contactless transaction limit of £100.

How contactless technology works

Contactless uses the latest secure encryption technology (the same as chip and PIN) so you can feel confident when using it to pay. It only works when a card is close to the card reader, making it unlikely details can be intercepted when used.

Sometimes you may have to enter your PIN during a contactless transaction, to make sure it’s you using the card. To make sure cards can’t be intercepted and used fraudulently, new cards won’t work until you complete a Chip and PIN transaction or ATM withdrawal.

Using your contactless card

When you get your card, you must use it for a chip and PIN transaction or ATM withdrawal before contactless will work. Then follow the steps below:

1. When paying for purchases of up to £100, look for the contactless indicator
2. Touch the reader with your contactless card
3. A successful payment is when you see the green light and hear the beep
4. The reader will confirm that your payment is approved

If you touch your purse or wallet containing more than one contactless card on a reader, you could experience card clash. You should only touch the card you want to use against the reader. If you do present two cards by mistake, don't worry, only one payment will be taken. The card readers are only able to make one transaction at a time.

When you pay with contactless

• You’ll have a record of all your purchases on your account statement.
• The contactless card readers can only carry out one transaction at a time; each transaction must be confirmed or void before another can take place.
• You can’t accidentally make a purchase as you walk past a reader. The retailer must have entered the amount for you to approve first, and then your card has to be held close to the reader for longer than half a second.

Lost or stolen cards

If your card is lost or stolen or you think that someone may know your personal security details or PIN, you must tell us as soon as possible. Please call us on 0330 678 2811, or you can call us on 0800 9 173 489 (free phone).
 
If your card is lost or stolen, you’re protected against fraud provided you let us know as soon as you realise. You must take the proper precautions to keep your card and security details safe, as outlined in our terms and conditions.
 

Going contactless

If you’re an existing current account or credit card customer, you’ll automatically receive a contactless card when your current one expires.