Look for a symbol resembling a sideways Wi-Fi signal (four curved lines) on the front or back of your debit card. Most modern cards from major banks now come with this tap-to-pay technology enabled by default. If this symbol is present, your card can be used at any terminal showing the same icon.
Look for a signal illustration like the one below on the back of the card. This will look like a WiFi signal turned on its side. If you see this symbol, the card is enabled for contactless payments.
Look for the symbol with four curved lines that get larger from left to right. This symbol, found on the front or back of your card, resembles the Wi-Fi icon. Our cards now come with contactless functionality as standard.
The contactless symbol is four vertical, curved lines that get bigger from left to right—like the Wi-Fi symbol turned on its side.
In your bank's app, check your card settings.
You've probably used it without thinking – the quick “tap, beep, done” way to pay. Contactless means you don't need to faff with chip & PIN or cash; your card, phone or smart watch has a tiny chip that securely transmits payment details. Cards: Almost all new UK debit and credit cards are contactless.
Check for physical issues and make sure your account has sufficient funds. What stops contactless cards from working? Common issues include card damage, exceeding transaction limits, outdated card technology, or problems with the payment terminal. Make sure your card is clean, active, and has enough balance.
You can check for NFC settings on your Samsung Android device by looking in the settings app > connections > tap NFC and contactless payments. If you see an option for NFC there, your device is enabled to make NFC payments.
Check if your card is “Tap to pay” ready
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.
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.
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.
All contactless cards contain the Wi-Fi symbol either on the front of the card, under the bank name or card type (Visa, Master, etc.), or on the flip side, near the magnetic strip. The contactless symbol is represented by four curved lines, increasing in size as they move from left to right.
Contactless payments
Potential security concerns
Because contactless payments require neither PIN nor signature authorisation, lost or stolen contactless cards can be used to make fraudulent transactions.
A contactless-enabled card allows you to tap your card on the payment terminal to complete a purchase rather than inserting or swiping it. Not only is this a more convenient and quicker touch-free payment method, but it is also more secure.
Yes, tapping your card is generally considered safer than inserting it because it uses tokenization and encrypted one-time codes, preventing your actual card details from being exposed to the terminal and reducing the risk of skimming, keeping your card in your possession at all times, and often requiring biometric authentication with mobile wallets, though both methods are secure due to EMV technology. While both tap and insert (chip) use strong EMV security, tapping avoids physical contact with potentially compromised readers and keeps your data encrypted for each transaction, making it a superior choice for security and hygiene.
Any Android device on version 9.0 or higher, that has near field communication or 'NFC' technology, is compatible with Google Pay. By choosing 'Settings' then 'Connections' on your Android device, you can check if you have an 'NFC and contactless payments' option.
Wearables with NFC Functionality
If your wearable is linked to your phone, you can use it to make contactless payments even if your phone doesn't have NFC. Cons: Requires a compatible wearable and setup.
When you get a new card, you'll need to use it with your PIN in a shop, or at a cash machine, to enable contactless payments. You can make contactless payments wherever you see the contactless symbol, both in the UK and abroad1. We'll occasionally ask you to enter your PIN, to prove it's you using the card.
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).
Set up tap to pay