UWCU cards are now contactless for the ultimate security, convenience and acceptance.
Get to Know Your Contactless Card
All newly issued UW Credit Union debit and credit cards now include contactless technology. Look for the Contactless Symbol on the back of your new card:
How Your Contactless Card Works
Contactless is an in-person payment option. Simply tap your card to the payment terminal instead of inserting or swiping. It's as easy as 1-2-3:
1. Look.
Find the Contactless Symbol when you check out at the drive-thru, grocery store, gas station – almost everywhere!
2. Tap.
Hold your card up to the contactless-enabled card reader (within 1-2 inches) and wait for the beep.
3. Success!
Your payment is processed in seconds.
Contactless cards use the same secure technology as mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Except now, the technology is right in your card for added convenience.
Contactless is a globally accepted payment method that's easy and safe. Your card never has to leave your hands. Contactless is:
Faster at checkout – Tapping to pay is quicker than inserting your card into the payment terminal.
Safe and secure – Contactless provides the same robust protection as your card's chip technology.
Easy and accepted – Simply tap to pay whenever you see the Contactless Symbol at checkout.
And while contactless offers a new and improved way to pay, rest assured that you can still pay by inserting or swiping your card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions. Frequently Asked Questions are for general, informational purposes only. Consult your financial advisor or tax professional for advice pertaining to your specific situation. Check out our Help section for additional support.
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.
When you receive a new or replacement card from UW Credit Union, it will now be equipped with contactless technology. There's nothing you need to do except activate your new card as you normally would. Your card still includes all the benefits and features you enjoy, with the added enhancement of contactless technology as a payment option.
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.
