What is a contactless card?

A contactless card functions in a manner similar to mobile wallets, as it enables transactions to be completed by simply holding or tapping the card on a contactless-enabled card reader.

Compared to traditional methods such as swiping, inserting, or using cash, contactless payment is significantly faster, up to 10 times quicker. Furthermore, it ensures the security of your information and allows you to keep your hands off the card reader.

While contactless credit and debit cards have been widely adopted in regions like Europe, Australia, and Canada, the United States has also embraced this technology over the past few years.

Is my card contactless?

To ascertain whether your Greenlight card is contactless, simply look for the contactless symbol on the back of your card. The contactless symbol consists of four curved lines that increase in size from left to right. You may notice its resemblance to the Wi-Fi symbol.

How do contactless debit cards work? 

Contactless cards utilize radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, which enables communication between the card and the card reader when the card is held near the reader during a transaction.

When you hold your contactless card near the contactless reader, it securely verifies your card information. Subsequently, the merchant's point-of-sale system transmits the transaction to the card issuer. The issuer then analyzes the transaction prior to granting approval.

How to utilize your contactless card? 

1. Locate the contactless symbol on the card reader. The four curved lines present on your card should also be visible on contactless-enabled card readers.
2. When prompted, hold the card within a distance of one to two inches from the contactless symbol.
3. Upon approval of your purchase, you will receive confirmation, usually indicated by a beep, a green light, or a check mark.
4. Once you have become familiar with the usage of contactless credit and debit cards, completing the payment process only takes a few seconds.

Contactless card security

Contactless cards offer the same level of security as chip cards when used at chip-enabled registers, and they are even more secure than magnetic stripe payments.

Each contactless transaction generates a unique, one-time code or password. This significantly reduces security risks, as the code cannot be reused, and it can only be interpreted by the card-processing network.