Navigating the World of Contactless Payments: Tips for Safe Usage

In the era of COVID-19, contactless payments have emerged as a convenient and hygienic alternative for transactions. With just a tap of your credit or debit card, transactions are swiftly processed without the need for PINs or passwords. However, as with any technology, there are risks involved. Here's what you need to know to ensure the safety of your contactless payments:

Understanding Contactless Payments: Contactless payments utilize Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology embedded in credit and debit cards. This allows users to make transactions by simply tapping their card near a point-of-sale terminal, streamlining the payment process.

Potential Threats: Despite its convenience, contactless payments are not immune to fraud. Fraudsters may exploit this technology in various ways:

• Conducting unauthorized transactions using POS terminals or mini-card readers.
• Misusing lost or stolen cards, as PINs or passwords are not required for transactions.
• Bypassing transaction limits through sophisticated techniques like "Man in the Middle" attacks.

Protective Measures: To safeguard against potential fraud, it's crucial to implement the following security measures:

• Utilize mobile banking apps to control contactless payments, enabling features to disable this functionality when not in use and setting transaction limits.
• Invest in specialized wallets or card holders designed to protect against unauthorized access and skimming.
• Regularly monitor your financial transactions, promptly reporting any unauthorized activity to your bank.
• In case of card theft or loss, immediately block the card and notify your bank to prevent unauthorized transactions.
• Report instances of financial fraud to the appropriate authorities, such as the helpline number 155260 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in).