The limit on contactless cards on Friday has more than doubled to £100.
Back at the start of the pandemic, the limit was increased to £45 to reduce contact. The new limit will take a while to roll out as retailers change their technologies.
“Contactless payments have become increasingly popular, and the payments industry has worked hard to ensure retailers are able to offer customers the new higher limit,” said David Postings, the chief executive of the British Retail Consortium.
There have been warnings of increased fraud with the higher limit. Sarah Pennells, a consumer finance specialist at Royal London, commented: “The higher limit could encourage people to become ‘tap-happy’ and spend more than they can afford, and it can be harder to keep track of what you’re spending if you don’t get a receipt every time.”
“Although fraud on contactless cards is relatively low level, it can be distressing to those who experience it. You should treat your contactless card the same way as you’d treat cash in your pocket, so be careful when you use it and don’t give it to anyone else.”
