At AltaOne, we’re always looking for ways to keep your financial information secure. One of the most effective ways to protect against fraud is by using contactless debit and credit cards. These modern payment methods not only offer greater convenience but also help combat common security threats like skimming, and cloning.

What Makes Contactless Cards Safer?

Unlike traditional magnetic stripe cards, contactless cards use several levels of encryption and Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to securely process transactions. When you tap your card on a contactless-enabled terminal, a one-time encrypted code is generated for that specific transaction. This tokenization process makes it nearly impossible for fraudsters to extract usable card details.

Here’s how contactless technology protects you:

1. Prevents Skimming

Card skimming occurs when criminals install hidden devices on payment terminals to steal your card’s data. Since contactless cards don’t require swiping, there’s no way for skimmers to capture your card information from a terminal. This eliminates one of the most common methods of card fraud.

2. Eliminates Cloning Risks

With magnetic stripe cards, fraudsters can copy data and create counterfeit cards. Contactless cards, however, use dynamic encryption that changes with each transaction. Even if a hacker intercepts the data, it is unreadable, and they cannot reuse it to create a clone.

3. Reduces the Risk of Card Theft

Since contactless cards allow quick transactions without inserting your card into a terminal, there’s no need to hand your card to a cashier or insert it into a potentially compromised device. This reduces exposure to card theft and unauthorized access.

4. Enhanced Security with Digital Wallets

You can link your contactless AltaOne card to a mobile wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay, adding an extra layer of security. These digital wallets use biometric authentication (such as fingerprint or facial recognition) to ensure only you can complete the transaction.

How to Use Your Contactless Card Safely

Look for the contactless symbol (four curved lines) on payment terminals to confirm it supports tap-to-pay.
Monitor your account activity regularly through AltaOne’s mobile banking app to detect any suspicious transactions.

AltaOne is Upgrading to Contactless

To enhance security and convenience, AltaOne is upgrading all debit and credit cards to contactless technology in the next few months. This initiative is part of our commitment to keeping your money secure and providing the latest advancements in payment security. Keep an eye out for your new contactless card, and experience safer, faster transactions with every tap.