Contactless cards

Thousands of Barclaycard customers have been unable to use the contactless option on their credit card following a technical glitch. The issue is ongoing but here's what we know.

Some 800,000 shoppers with Amazon Classic and Platinum Mastercards will no longer be able to use them from January 2023 as NewDay, the issuer, has walked away from the partnership. It's a blow for Platinum card holders who earn points to redeem at the online retailer.

The contactless payment limit, which is the amount you can spend on card without entering a PIN, will rise from £45 to £100 from 15 October, it's been confirmed. It comes after chancellor Rishi Sunak formally announced the plans in the spring Budget.  

The Financial Conduct Authority's director of strategy and competition Christopher Woolard (pictured above) gives an update on the regulator's work to protect consumers from contactless card fraud – and what you can do if you think you've been targeted. Views do not necessarily reflect those of MoneySavingExpert.com. For more background on the issue, see our Contactless card security flaw largely fixed, in win for MSE's two-year campaign news story.  It's now nearly two years since our chief executive, Andrew Bailey, wrote for MSE on our work to prevent contactless card fraud. We've been working throughout that time to keep contactless transactions safe, and in the vast majority of cases they are – but it's important that we, and you, stay vigilant. 

The financial regulator has said that "almost all" contactless transactions from the two biggest card schemes are now processed 'online' to combat a security flaw that meant crooks could use cards months after they'd been cancelled.

If you use Apple Pay or another mobile payment system on the underground or trains in London, never tap in and out on different devices - even if you're paying on the same card. That's our 'tap-dancing' warning to passengers after one London commuter was shocked to find she'd overpaid by more than £700 for a year's travel.

Millions of London commuters and visitors could pocket a share of the almost £350 million floating around on unused Oyster cards, after Transport for London's (TfL's) latest figures showed the pot of unclaimed cash increased by more than £60 million over the last 12 months.

Contactless is now more popular than chip and PIN in UK stores, according to payment processing company Worldpay.

Thousands of card users have been charged twice for meals out, shopping trips and other transactions due to a nationwide payment system issue last Wednesday – check now to see if you're affected.

The Church of England will introduce contactless card terminals at 16,000 churches, cathedrals and religious sites today, to make donations faster and easier.