Contactless Debit & Credit Cards

Contactless payments use short-range wireless technology to make secure payments between a contactless card or payment-enabled device and a contactless-enabled terminal, providing the ability to “tap” the terminal to pay – without the need to swipe, dip or insert the card.

Contactless card technology is becoming the industry standard in the U.S. and has already been adopted in many countries. It's faster than inserting a card and more secure than swiping a card. It is also more hygienic as your card never needs to leave your hand or touch a surface.

Contactless card technology is becoming the industry standard in the U.S. and has already been adopted in many countries. It's faster than inserting a card and more secure than swiping a card. It is also more hygienic as your card never needs to leave your hand or touch a surface.

Like the mobile wallet in your phone, contactless cards use near field communication (NFC) to transmit payment from your card to the payment system. To pay by contactless, you must hold your card within an inch or two of the payment terminal for several seconds. While the phrase we often hear is "tap to pay", your card never actually has to touch a payment machine or other surface.

Contactless payments use the same encrypted technology as when you insert your chip card into a reader. The payment system creates a one-time security code for each transaction rather than sharing your card number or other personal details. This process keeps your information private and better protected.

All new and replacement debit and credit cards at UW Credit Union now include contactless technology. You will receive updated contactless cards as your old cards expire and are replaced. You may request a replacement card at any time within the Manage Cards section of Web Branch.

Actually, they are very similar! Your contactless card uses the same near field communication (NFC) technology as mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay to make payments without the need to physically insert or swipe a card. Mobile wallet or contactless card – simply use the payment method you prefer most.

Yes, contactless payments are as safe as inserting your chip card into a payment terminal. Both payment methods protect you by using one-time transaction codes rather than sharing your card number or other personal information with the merchant.

Your contactless card must be held within 1-2 inches of a contactless-enabled payment terminal for several seconds in order to make a payment, so there's very little chance of making an accidental payment.

No problem! Your card is still equipped with a chip and a magnetic stripe to ensure acceptance however you pay.