Barclays contactless debit cards

Where can I use it?

You can use Contactless wherever you see the symbol. There are already lots of places in the UK that offer contactless payments, including selected outlets of M&S, McDonald's, EAT, Prêt à Manger, and The Co-operative Pharmacy – and many more are on the way. You can also use it at the M6 Toll and on all 8500 TFL London Buses. To find locations near you, take a look at the interactive map on the VISA website

VISA website

How do I get it?

If you're already a Barclays customer Because Contactless technology will already be set up on your card, you can start using it straightaway. If you're not sure whether you've got a Contactless debit card, just look for the symbol on the front. If it's there, you're ready to go. Got a Platinum debit card? All Platinum debit cards issued from February 2010 are Contactless enabled. Please note though that Platinum debit cards and accounts are no longer available to new customers.

If you're new to Barclays You'll need to open a Barclays current account to get a Contactless debit card. Opening an account with us is straightforward. We'll transfer any Direct Debits and standing orders for you, and we'll close your old account if you'd like us to. Take a look at our Bank Accounts or visit your local branch and speak to a Personal Banker. Contactless debit cards are subject to status and application.

How secure is it?

Very secure.

All our new Contactless debit cards include the latest advanced security features required by the payment card industry. Payments are processed through the same secure Visa technology as your Chip and PIN transactions. And as an extra precaution, we'll occasionally ask you to enter your PIN to make sure it's you.

Contactless transactions are also covered by the same fraud protection as your Chip and PIN transactions.

If you think you may have experienced fraudulent use of your debit card, call our helpdesk on 08457 555 555 ¹ – it's open every day from 7am to 11pm.

If your card is lost or stolen call us as soon as possible on our 24-hour emergency cards hotline 08700 104503  ¹ or visit a branch.

Why is Barclays making its debit cards Contactless?
These days, more and more people are choosing to pay for everyday items on their debit card and the amounts are getting smaller. Yet paying by card isn't always an option. Some places have minimum spends, others don't take card payments and there are some situations where, if you haven't got the right cash on you, you can't pay at all.

That's why we've come up with Contactless, enabling you to pay for items totalling £20 or less without even needing to enter your PIN.

At Barclays we've long been committed to introducing technological innovation in payments. We were the first bank in the UK to launch a debit card in 1987 and now we're leading the way with Contactless technology. The majority of our newly issued debit cards will be Contactless and already many retailers have adopted this form of payment, with plenty more on the way.

Are there any fees associated with Contactless payment?
No, Contactless payment is free for any transactions you make in the UK. If you're overseas, you'll be charged the same fee as that applied to normal debit card transactions.

Do I have to use Contactless instead of paying with cash?
It's up to you whether you pay with Contactless or cash. We're simply making sure you have the option to use it if you want to.

How is Contactless different to Chip & PIN?
Contactless is a quicker and easier way to make a payment than with Chip & PIN. Instead of inserting your card into a terminal to enter your PIN, with Contactless you hold your card next to the Contactless symbol on the reader and you're done. We'll only occasionally ask you to enter your PIN, just to be sure it's you.

Do I need to top up my Contactless card?
No, a contactless transaction works by taking funds directly from your current account, the same as any other debit card. So you'll never need to top it up.

Can I make a Contactless payment overseas?
You can make Contactless payments wherever retailers have adopted the technology. So far that includes Spain, Turkey and Switzerland, with more expected soon. If you don't see the Contactless symbol, you can still make purchases with your Barclays debit card in millions of places using Chip & PIN technology. It's just worth noting, if you're travelling to the US or Canada, that our Contactless technology isn't compatible with their equivalent system.

How do I pay if I can't see the Contactless symbol?
If you don't see the Contactless symbol, you can still make purchases with your Barclays debit card using Chip & PIN technology.

Is it possible for retailers to duplicate my transaction?
In a nutshell, no. As with Chip & PIN transactions, retailers need to enter the amount for you to check before payment is made. So to duplicate a transaction, you would need to be prompted to pay twice, making it very difficult to achieve.

Can someone steal my Contactless debit card and use its technology to empty my bank account?
In a word, no. If someone makes several Contactless payments in a row, they'll be prompted to enter the card's PIN for security validation purposes. Contactless transactions are further protected by the fact that they can only be made on items totalling £20 or less. For transactions above that amount, the payee will be asked to make a Chip & PIN payment in the usual way.

Do look after your card and keep your pin secure but if your card does become lost or stolen, let us know immediately and we'll cancel and replace it for you.

Remember: should you experience card fraud, provided you report your card lost or stolen or misused, and you have not acted fraudulently or without reasonable care, you will not be liable for any fraudulent transactions.