Contactless payment has become a natural gesture for many of us.
An intuitive gesture that lets you pay simply by bringing a bank card within a few centimetres of a payment terminal. This is made possible by NFC (Near Field Communication), a short-wave transmission protocol used for contactless cards.
The payment order is therefore communicated without the need to enter a secret code or provide proof of identity. This saves a few seconds at the point of payment, eases cashier clogging and, above all, enables small amounts to be paid without the need for cash.
During the health crisis linked to Covid-19, contactless payments were seen as a practice to be favored. This was one of the measures to be applied to combat the spread of the virus. The very fact that it avoids touching terminals.
A potentially risky move
Even though contactless payment is a gesture that makes life easier for users for many of us, it's clear that many people are pointing out the risks involved.
In fact, there are two main risks associated with contactless technology. The first is that, in the event of loss or theft, it is quite possible for someone holding a card that is not their own to make payments without entering a secret code.
The second risk concerns personal data. Digital pickpocketing" or " tele-pickpocketing " is the practice of approaching a terminal with a contactless card, without the owner's knowledge. The aim is to steal personal information.
These risks can lead users to adopt a fearful or even distrustful stance towards this type of solution.
Safety measures
Nevertheless, there are measures in place to reduce the risks and make contactless use safer.
In the event of loss or theft of the card, the ceilings and random checks, which require the user to enter his or her code regularly, reduce the risks.
When it comes to tele-pickpocketing, the armored protective case is an excellent way of blocking attempts to intercept personal data. In effect, it's a case that blocks NFC and therefore the exchange of waves.
At the moment of payment, the card can be removed from the case with a simple "nudge" and returned to its place as soon as payment has been made. And all with just one hand!
Armored cases are particularly useful in crowded places (transport, restaurants, bars, etc.), considerably reducing the risks of contactless.