Contactless Payment

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21 Aug, 2024

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Contactless Payment is a wireless transaction used to make purchases by bringing a security token up to the point of sale (POS) reader of the seller. It eliminates the need for the buyer's credit card or smartphone and the POS to come into direct contact.

Numerous benefits come with using this payment method, such as quicker and more comfortable transactions, a lower chance of card loss or theft, and smooth integration with digital payment systems and mobile wallets. It streamlines transactions by doing away with the need to handle actual currency and wait for change. Furthermore, it lessens the possibility of currency loss or theft.

What Is Contactless Payment?

Contactless payments are wireless transaction methods that eliminate the need for direct physical contact between the buyer's card or device and the seller's point of sale (POS) reader.
Its types include chip cards with integrated circuit chips and mobile wallets that enable payments through smartphone applications.
The advantages of this payment mode are secure transactions, fraud prevention, convenience, hygiene, and technological advancements.
Limited access for some consumers, costs of equipment implementation, technological limitations, spending limits, and dependence on technology are some of its limitations.

How Does Contactless Payment Work?

Contactless payment secures transactions using a contactless option-enabled card. It could be through a smartphone or wearable gadget by just touching or waving it in front of the payment terminal. It enables easy and quick payments without requiring a PIN or physical interaction. These payments are difficult to hack as they are authenticated. Since the information linked to credit cards is encrypted and updated frequently, scammers need help accessing it.

These contactless payment cards are more secure, especially compared to magnetic stripe cards, which are susceptible to cloning due to their outdated technology. It is a safer option for consumers, as they are not susceptible to fraudulent charges or identity theft.

Contactless transactions are a convenient and efficient payment method that involves consumers tapping or waving their cards over a card reader. The merchant's point-of-sale system or machine transmits the transaction to the card issuer, and the terminal establishes a connection with the issuer's bank account. The payment is processed.

The card uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to communicate with the card reader, authenticating its information. Near field communication, or NFC, is the technology behind using an RFID-based form of radio frequency identification. When a card or smartphone is near a payment reader—typically within 10 cm or less—it can connect with NFC transactions.

Types

Some of the types of payments that are contactless are:

Chip cards: Chip cards can be debit or credit cards with integrated circuit chips used to store data. These cards come in two varieties: those that use a chip with a digital signature or one that has a PIN or personal identification number. The type of card you have is usually determined by the individual's bank or card provider, though many retailers accept both.
Mobile wallet: A mobile wallet is a digital wallet that allows consumers to make payments using a smartphone application. This application acts as a wallet- a digital wallet. The payment method requires a compatible device. One of its advantages is that it allows users to upload multiple cards, eliminating the need for a physical card.

Examples

Let us look at a few examples to understand the concept better.

Example #1

Suppose Daisy is a business owner who chooses contactless payment over cash for a business transaction. After reading about NFC contactless payments and researching the topic thoroughly, she gained confidence in the technology and chose to adopt it. Daisy finds the payment mode more convenient as she can quickly accept payments from customers without the hassle of handling cash or dealing with change. It also offers a more professional and a business of contemporary business image. She also appreciates the added security and reduced risk of errors that this payment mode provides.

Example #2

The study, conducted in 2021, investigated the influence of cashless payments on Internet and mobile banking. In the short run, charge cards, credit transfers, and direct debits significantly affected mobile banking, while credit cards and credit transfers had a substantial impact on Internet banking. However, not all cashless payment methods demonstrated a significant influence during this period.

In the long run, the study found that only direct debits had a noteworthy impact on both Internet and mobile banking, with a significance level of 10%. It suggested a lasting influence on banking services, particularly in online shopping, supported by consumers' familiarity with direct debiting and advancements in broadband connections and mobile applications.

Advantages And Disadvantages

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of what companies may experience by implementing these payment options:

Advantages

Secure payment: Contactless chip card payments use tokenization and one-time codes to reduce the exposure of sensitive account details and enhance security.
Fraud prevention: The short-distance communication between the card/device and the reader minimizes the risk of interruptions or unauthorized access during transactions.
Convenience: Users can leave their cards securely in their wallets and use a tap-to-pay smart device or card, saving time and eliminating the need for physical card insertion.
Hygiene: It eliminates the need for physical contact during transactions, promoting hygiene and reducing the transmission of germs.
Technological advancement: Seamless integration with other or similar digital payment platforms that are faster.

Disadvantages

Access: Not all consumers have access to the necessary technology or may prefer cash transactions, limiting the adoption of this payment option.
Costs of replacement: Businesses need to invest in computer systems and POS readers to enable contactless payments, which can be costly, especially for establishments using outdated equipment.
Technological limitations: Errors or glitches in the payment process, such as card reader malfunctions, can cause inconvenience and disrupt transactions.
Spending limits: It often bypasses the need for a PIN or signature, but banks may impose transaction limits, making larger purchases more challenging.
Misuse and dependency: There is a potential for unauthorized transactions if the card or device is lost or stolen. Its use requires dependency on technology.

Contactless Payment vs Oyster Card

The differences between both the concepts are as follows:

Basis	Contactless Payment	Oyster Card
Concept	It is a cashless system facilitating transactions beyond transport.	Payment method for public transport in London, UK.
Transaction Facilitation	Applicable for transactions beyond transport (e.g., retail).	Used for various transportation modes in London (buses, Tube, trams).
Essence	It involves tapping or waving near a terminal for contactless transactions.	Blue credit-card-sized contactless smart card for travel in London.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How to set up contactless payment on Android?

To set up this payment mode on an Android device, ensure that the device has NFC capabilities, add the payment card to the mobile wallet (such as Google Pay), and follow the prompts to verify and activate contactless payments.

2. When did contactless payments start?

It was a progressive idea in the making in and around the 2000s, with widespread adoption in countries like Japan. The specific date of initial introduction may vary depending on regions and technologies.

3. Who invented contactless payment?

A consortium of companies, including Philips, Sony, and Nokia, developed this payment technology. While the individuals involved in inventing contactless payment may vary, these companies played a significant role in its development.

4. What is the limit for contactless payments?

It varies depending on the country and financial institution. In many places, there is a default contactless payment limit set for each transaction, and for higher-value transactions, additional verification, such as PIN entry, may be required.