I have gotten very used to using my chip credit card to tap for payments at most retailers over the last few years. But a few larger retailers I visit do not offer tap, it is still just swipe or insert. And these are large retailers, like Walmart, Lowes and Home Depot.
At first I thought maybe it had something to do with old machines, but Lowes by my house just upgraded their machines in 2021, so I do not think that has anything to do with it.
Is there a security reason not to offer tap in addition to swipe and insert? Something else?
Posts: 2292 | Location: Orlando | Registered: April 22, 2007
More than likely, the cost of setting up every card reader in the store, every store. That or they want to retain control of everything with their own system.
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Originally posted by holdem: I have gotten very used to using my chip credit card to tap for payments at most retailers over the last few years. But a few larger retailers I visit do not offer tap, it is still just swipe or insert. And these are large retailers, like Walmart, Lowes and Home Depot.
At first I thought maybe it had something to do with old machines, but Lowes by my house just upgraded their machines in 2021, so I do not think that has anything to do with it.
Is there a security reason not to offer tap in addition to swipe and insert? Something else?
I've wondered this as well. I guess the expense of upgrading is and issue, and maybe they know something new is coming down the pike and want to wait. With my Apple card, the cash return is higher when using the NF function as opposed to swipe.
Men fight for liberty and win it with hard knocks. Their children, brought up easy, let it slip away again, poor fools. And their grandchildren are once more slaves.
-D.H. Lawrence
Posts: 11524 | Location: Fort Worth, Texas | Registered: February 07, 2007
Originally posted by parabellum: First world problems
What does it matter?
In the scheme of things, not something to lay awake at night about. Still, us humans have become to expect convivences, and those vendors that satisfy that win. I really enjoy the convivence of slapping my phone on the reader, and walking on out. Surely I could live with less than this, I did for many years.
Men fight for liberty and win it with hard knocks. Their children, brought up easy, let it slip away again, poor fools. And their grandchildren are once more slaves.
-D.H. Lawrence
Posts: 11524 | Location: Fort Worth, Texas | Registered: February 07, 2007
A matter of time I think. Ralph’s (Kroger owned) is the largest grocery chain in San Diego. Only recently did Ralph’s get tap-to-pay technology, even though smaller chains have long had it.
Serious about crackers
Posts: 8958 | Location: San Diego | Registered: July 26, 2014
Originally posted by parabellum: First world problems
What does it matter?
Since I quit using swipe-down (magnetic strip) credit card readers I’ve never had my CC hacked. I might be wrong, but I suspect that tap-to-pay is more secure than magnetic strip readers.
Serious about crackers
Posts: 8958 | Location: San Diego | Registered: July 26, 2014
Originally posted by Pipe Smoker: I might be wrong, but I suspect that tap-to-pay is more secure than magnetic strip readers.
You are not wrong, it is more secure. But, tap to pay still uses your actual credit card number inside the point of sale terminal.
Apple Pay is even more secure in this regard, as it creates a unique, one-time CC# for each transaction.
Tap to pay is very fast, though, while Apple Pay requires some form of authentication, FaceID being the quickest. I am unclear how tap to pay works using an iPhone, but it appears you must also have the merchant's app installed (for each merchant).
When in doubt, mumble
Posts: 10786 | Location: South Congress AZ | Registered: May 27, 2006
Originally posted by henryaz: Apple Pay is even more secure in this regard, as it creates a unique, one-time CC# for each transaction.
Which may be one reason big box merchants such as Lowe's, HD, and WalMart don't support it: Can't track customers by CC number if they use Apple Pay.
quote:
Originally posted by henryaz: Tap to pay is very fast, though, while Apple Pay requires some form of authentication, FaceID being the quickest.
Enter the Apple Watch: Double-tap the side-button, up comes Apple Pay, hold it near the reader, *beep*, done!
quote:
Originally posted by henryaz: I am unclear how tap to pay works using an iPhone, but it appears you must also have the merchant's app installed (for each merchant).
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
Tap to pay is very fast, though, while Apple Pay requires some form of authentication, FaceID being the quickest. I am unclear how tap to pay works using an iPhone, but it appears you must also have the merchant's app installed (for each merchant).
I use tap to pay with an iPhone and no, you don't need the merchant's app installed for each merchant.
Originally posted by henryaz: [QUOTE]Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
Tap to pay is very fast, though, while Apple Pay requires some form of authentication, FaceID being the quickest. I am unclear how tap to pay works using an iPhone, but it appears you must also have the merchant's app installed (for each merchant).
No need for merchant app with iPhone, Watch or Apple Card. With iPhone, just look at your phone to open it, push the side button twice and hold it near the reader. This will work even if you don't have an Apple Credit card designated as the default card. But then your actual CC number is used instead of the one time number you get with the Apple Card. Haven't tried it but it's said to work with a debit card selected. I'd never do that.
Men fight for liberty and win it with hard knocks. Their children, brought up easy, let it slip away again, poor fools. And their grandchildren are once more slaves.
-D.H. Lawrence
Posts: 11524 | Location: Fort Worth, Texas | Registered: February 07, 2007