CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS

Tap to pay with Visa at more locations than ever

A simple and secure tap is all it takes to pay for the things you need. Visa contactless payments make it secure and convenient.

What are contactless payments?

What are contactless payments?

Contactless payments are transactions made by tapping either a contactless card or payment-enabled mobile or wearable device over a contactless-enabled payment terminal. Cards, phones, watches, and other devices use the same contactless technology. When you tap to pay checkout is secure and convenient.

Visa Contactless cards

If your Visa card features the Contactless Indicator on either the front or back, you can use it to tap to pay where you see the Contactless Symbol at many of your favorite stores.

Devices

Don’t have a contactless card? You can still tap to pay by loading an eligible payment card into your payment-enabled phone or wearable device.

Step 1: Confirm you’re ready for contactless

See if you’ve loaded your Visa card into your payment-enabled device, or look for the Contactless Indicator on your physical Visa card. Then find the Contactless Symbol on the store’s checkout terminal.

Step 2: Tap your card or device at checkout

Depending on the system, you may tap on, above, or below the screen. You may also need to hold your card or mobile/wearable device near the system for a second.

Step 3: Pay and go

Your payment is securely processed in seconds. And once it’s confirmed, you’re good to go. How easy was that?

Reasons to love contactless payments

Secure

Your transactions use the same security as contact chip cards.

Convenient

You can check out with just a tap — no inserting a card or swiping necessary.

Fast

When you tap to pay, it takes just seconds—making it easier than paying with cash.

What makes contactless payments secure?

Each contactless payment generates a transaction-specific, one-time code, that is extremely effective in reducing counterfeit fraud.

The Visa Zero Liability Policy protects your payment information from fraud losses and unauthorized purchases.

FAQ about contactless payments

What is the technology behind tapping to pay?

Tapping to pay uses short-range wireless technology to make secure payments between a contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device and a contactless-enabled checkout terminal. When you tap your card or device near the Contactless Symbol, your payment is sent for authorization.

What does the and mean?

The EMVCo Contactless Indicator indicates acceptance. When featured on a card, it means the card can be used to tap to pay. When featured on a checkout terminal or on store signage, it means a merchant accepts tapping to pay.

How do I know if my card or device can make contactless payments?

You'll see the Contactless Indicator on your card.

What does the WiFi symbol on my card mean?

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.

What does the RFID symbol on my card mean?

The RFID-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.

How close does my contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device need to be to the contactless checkout terminal?

Your contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device just needs to be within 1 to 2 inches of the Contactless Symbol to initiate a payment.

Can I still swipe or insert my Visa contactless card even if I don’t see the Contactless Symbol at the checkout terminal?

Yes. If you don’t see the Contactless Symbol on the checkout terminal, you can still swipe or insert your contactless card, just like any other Visa card.

Can I use my Visa contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device to tap to pay outside the U.S.?

Yes. You can tap to pay at millions of places around the world, wherever you see the Contactless Symbol. In countries like Australia, Canada, the UK and France, over half of retailers currently accept contactless payments. If tapping to pay is not available at a location, you can simply swipe or insert your Visa contactless card at checkout.

Is tapping to pay secure?

Yes. Here’s why:

• Each Visa contactless card carries the same trusted security as a Visa contact chip card.
• The one-time code generated every time a contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device is used at an in-store contactless-enabled terminal protects your payment information, making it extremely effective in reducing counterfeit fraud.
• You can’t pay accidentally—your contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device must be within 2 inches of the terminal for the transaction to take place. And you won’t be billed twice, even if you accidentally tap twice.
• Tapping to pay with your Visa contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device helps you avoid touching surfaces at checkout.

What information is transmitted from my contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device when I tap to pay?

The contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device securely transmits information including the account number, expiration date, and a one-time code that changes for every in-person transaction. The code is different than the code encoded on the magnetic stripe of a Visa card.

I heard people can “skim” information from a contactless card. What does that mean?

Visa contactless transactions generate a one-time, transaction-specific code. Due to the nature of the code and additional fraud protection processes built into the Visa network, it is difficult to use skimmed cardholder information for fraudulent purchases. As a result, fraud from skimming is very unlikely and limited in scope. You can also rest assured that Visa cards offer protection from any unauthorized use with Visa’s Zero Liability Policy.

Can I unknowingly make a purchase if I am in close proximity to a contactless-enabled payment terminal?

No. The technology behind tapping to pay requires the merchant to initiate the payment. Next, the contactless card or payment-enabled mobile/wearable device must be tapped or held within 2 inches of the contactless-enabled terminal in order for a transaction to take place.

Can I be charged twice if I have more than one contactless card in my wallet?

No. Contactless-enabled checkout terminals will only communicate with one card at a time. If you have more than one contactless card in your wallet, you should tap the individual card you want to use, rather than tap your whole wallet.

What do I do if my Visa card has been lost or stolen?

If your Visa card is lost or stolen, or you believe there has been unauthorized activity on your account, contact your issuing bank or credit union immediately.