To determine if your credit or debit card is a "tap" (contactless) card, look for a symbol resembling a Wi-Fi icon turned on its side (four vertical, curved lines) on the front or back of the card. If this symbol is present, your card can be used for contactless payments at terminals.
You know your payment card is contactless if it has the contactless indicator — four curved lines — printed somewhere on it. Most cards issued today by major banks are contactless by default, while cards with magnetic stripes for swiping are slowly being phased out entirely.
The first six to eight digits reveal the credit card network and the card's industry. The first digit in any credit card number tells you what type of card it is—Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Amex. Card numbers of each type always start with the same number: 3: American Express or cards under the Amex umbrella.
To determine if your credit card is contactless, look for the contactless symbol on either the front or back of the card. This symbol has four curved lines resembling radio waves. If you're still unsure, you can test it at a contactless payment terminal the next time you make a purchase.
Many RFID and NFC cards are marked with their respective technology identifiers. For example, NFC cards may have the “NFC” label or related symbols, while RFID cards might be marked with “RFID.” If you see these labels, you can typically determine the card's technology type.
Simply look for the wave-like symbol that resembles a Wi-Fi symbol on the front of your card. If you see the contactless symbol, you're ready to pay with just the touch or wave of your card over the reader. You can also pay using a phone or other device, wherever you see the same contactless symbol on a reader.
The first six (sometimes eight for newer cards) digits of a credit card number are known as the Issuer Identification Number (IIN) or Bank Identification Number (BIN). They identify the credit card issuer or bank, the type of card (credit or debit), and the region where the card was issued.
Common Credit Card Types and Their Patterns
The 2/3/4 rule is a guideline, primarily used by Bank of America, that limits how many new credit cards you can get: no more than 2 in 30 days, 3 in 12 months, and 4 in 24 months, helping to prevent over-application and manage hard inquiries on your credit report. While not universal, it's a useful benchmark for responsible card application, though other banks have different rules (like Chase's 5/24 rule).
Look closely at your tap for any branding or labels. The manufacturer's name is often stamped on the base—either at the front or the back—so be sure to check both sides. If access is tight, try taking a photo with your phone to get a better look. You might also find letters or numbers stamped on the handle or body.
The Wi-Fi-looking symbol on a debit or credit card is the EMVCo Contactless Indicator*. It indicates that your card can be used to tap to pay on a contactless-enabled payment terminal.
PNB TAP Debit Mastercard is an innovative, secure and convenient method of purchasing items by simply tapping the ATM card at any PayPass enabled machine. Now, you can speed past cashier lines without the hassle of counting coins and bills, entering PINs or signing sales slips.
Understanding contactless cards
There is no need to swipe or insert. This type of transaction—often called “tap to pay” or “tap and go”—can be a quick and convenient way to pay. Not all credit cards are contactless, although most card issuers have made them the default type of card they issue.
Most modern smartphones, including iPhone (iPhone 6 and later) and many Android devices (Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, newer OnePlus, etc.), support tap-to-pay via NFC, using digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Wallet, or Samsung Pay for contactless payments, with specific model compatibility depending on the app and carrier. The key is an NFC chip and a compatible digital wallet app for seamless, card-free transactions.
The first digit indicates the provider:
Navigating the world of personal finance can be daunting, especially when it comes to understanding the various types of payment cards available. Debit cards, credit cards, and secured credit cards each have unique features and benefits, making them suitable for different financial situations and spending habits.
How Can I Tell Card Type by the First Four Digits?
The first number identifies the industry and credit card network (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover). The next 5 numbers are known as the bank identification number (BIN) or issuer identification number (IIN). You guessed it: This identifies your credit card's issuer.
Your card number can be anywhere from 8 to 19 digits long. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards typically have 16 digits, while American Express cards have 15 digits. Maestro cards range from 12 to 19 digits. 16-digit card numbers are the most frequent.
Check for a contactless symbol on the customer's credit or debit card. When the reader or Square Point of Sale prompts, have the customer hold their card one or two inches away from the reader. If you're using a Square Reader you should see a green light indicating that it's ready for your customer's payment.
Convenience. Make contactless payments by tapping your card at any one of the thousands of contactless terminals around the world – just look out for the contactless symbol, and the Visa Paywave or Mastercard PayPass symbol.