Self service machine took money without card Pin entered

[Luckystar777]

This has happened twice now in two different big name stores. I put my card in to pay at a self service checkout and it didn't ask me for my pin code? It just took the payment the moment I put it in the reader .. WTF? Sure it took the correct amount but say I'd lost my card even for a few hours? Anyone can shove it in self service machines and buy shit to their heart's content? I'm REALLY not happy about this. Has this happened to anyone else? It never happened at all until this week with me and I always like to put the card in and enter my pin code. I've never used contactless and don't like it.

Is your card a contactless one? Sounds like the machine has read it and taken the money that way. I believe you can ask your bank for a card that isn't contactless.

Was it under £30?

Yes they sent me contactless without me asking for it when they sent my new card last year. Yeah both times was under £30. Still though, If I lost my card I can't go around losing £30 here and there until I realise and report it - hypothetically. If the machines are just going to take it anyway now what's the point in them having a slot? And why has it suddenly changed? I was entering my code every time right up until this week.

I am definitely going to ask for a contactless one.

The slot is for purchases over £30, card companies are very fgood at returning money if your card is stolen. You can also use the banking app to temporarily freeze your card, preventing any transactions immediately.

As others say, it's probably taken the money contactlessly. I don't know why it's a slot instead of a wave over panel but perhaps they have that so they don't unintentionally "read" another card while you're getting your payment out of a purse in front of the card scanner?

I encountered this several years back in an NCP car park in Cardiff . It was before there were contactless cards, it unsettled me because I didn't have online banking at the time and I fretted how much was actually taken out .

You can only do a certain amount of contactless transactions before it asks for your pin.

Ask your bank to send you a card which can't be used contactless.

But regardless of how you usually use your card, if it were stolen someone could just go on a contactless spree anyway - this hasnt changed by what the machines did.

If that were to happen you'd call your bank (or go on the app if you use one), freeze the card and they would refund those charges without quibble. It's happened to me recently and was so easy to resolve within an hour.

I use Apple Pay more now with Face ID. If you want better security that is the way to go.

You should be able to turn it off (ie disable contactless payments). Talk to your bank.

My card was stolen and several transactions were put through for less than £30. Bank were very prompt at refunding me the money once i reported it. Made me more careful with my card, it got stolen cos i dropped it on the train.

Just make sure your card is secure.

I don't have contactless but now some shops don't bother asking for the PIN either if its a small purchase.

I'm with Clydesdale . Its contactless. I have my security option set so I get a text after my cards being used, regardless of the amount.