Since the coronavirus crisis, the French authorities have raised the ceiling for contactless payment. It went from 30 to 50 euros. But beware, although practical, this device is not without risk. Here are some precautions to avoid the risk of hacking..
How contactless payment works
The pandemic that has hit much of the world has completely changed our consumer behavior. This crisis has accelerated the development of contactless payment.
Since the end of confinement, more and more consumers are abandoning coins and banknotes. Indeed, the species are seen by some people as potential vectors of Covid-19 contamination..
Payment by contactless bank card avoids having to handle all its coins and tickets or touching merchant terminals. Thanks to NFC wireless technology, no need to pay for your code. You approach your card 3 or 4 cm from the receiver and the payment is automatically validated.
Problem, NFC technology is far from foolproof. Studies have shown that it is possible to obtain details on the card (name, transaction history) just by bringing a smartphone or payment terminal close to your pocket or bag..
Anti RFID card protector
Fraud related to contactless cards remains relatively rare. But with the development of this type of payment fraud may increase. And then that does not exempt you from being suspicious.
You have to admit paying for pastries at the bakery or its magazines without entering your secret code is a truly appreciable luxury. Once you've started to taste it, you can't live without it.
If you want to continue using a contactless credit card but are afraid of being scammed by a pickpocket 2.0 equipped with a portable payment terminal, why not invest in a protective case blocking RFID waves.
They can be found on major e-commerce platforms for a few euros. You swipe your card there and that's it. These cases block RFID waves and prevent unauthorized access to the data stored on your card's chip.
This device is very practical especially in public transport. If these cases are going to seem too expensive, nothing prevents you from tinkering with your own protection using aluminum foil. This will block sniffers as well as an anti-RFID wallet.
Disable contactless card functionality
You can also choose to activate and deactivate contactless payment automatically. Some banks that are still rare offer an application allowing to activate or deactivate the contactless function of their card in real time.
Another solution is to block the contactless function of your bank card and proceed to payment by smartphone. Just download and install an application on your phone, then register your bank card. Transactions must then be authenticated by code or fingerprint.
You will just have to ensure the autonomy of your phone. Because without battery no money. Contactless payment cannot be made if the telephone is switched off. And unlike a bank card, this system is not only reserved for small purchases.