Mastercard Tap & Go® (formerly called “PayPass”) is a popular technology that allows you to tap your card on a contactless payment terminal to complete a purchase, rather than inserting or swiping your card and entering a PIN. Here’s how this technology works and how your purchases are kept secure.
Contactless payment technology is quite simple:
Like most contactless payment methods, Mastercard Tap & Go® does come with a caveat: if the purchase is over $100, you’ll need to enter your PIN after tapping the terminal.
Contactless payments use an embedded computer chip and radio frequency antenna to communicate with the contactless terminal card reader. Each contactless payment generates a unique code so you won’t be charged double for contactless payments if you accidentally tap your card on the reader twice.
Many issuers allow you to make contactless payments with your mobile device. This means that not only do you not have to enter your PIN, you don’t even have to use your card to make purchases. Neither your phone or your card leaves your hand.
It’s accepted globally at merchants including retail stores, fast food restaurants, pharmacies, grocery and convenience stores and at transit locations. You’ll even find it available in taxis and at vending machines.
There are pros and cons using contactless payments but they are just as safe as any other transaction. The following security procedures and policies are in place to make sure your Tap & Go® contactless payments are protected:
Mastercard Tap & Go® is a simple, convenient and secure way to make contactless payments and is available on all Mastercard credit cards. While using your card for contactless payments is mostly safe, it’s important you use it wisely and store it safely to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.
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