Why did I receive a contactless card?
Bank of America issues contactless credit and debit cards because of the fast checkout experience when tapped at contactless-enabled merchant terminals.

How do I know if my Bank of America debit or credit card is contactless enabled?
Look for the contactless indicator  on the front or back of your debit or credit card to determine if it's capable of contactless payments. If you don't see the symbol, you can still use the card by inserting or swiping it.

Can I request a contactless debit or credit card?
Credit: Anytime a card is mailed it will have contactless capability.
Debit: Most debit cards now include contactless functionality. A contactless card will be mailed to most customers prior to the expiration of their current card. Contactless cards are available upon request for most types of cards. Standard replacement card fee may apply.

If I have a contactless card, will my card still be contactless for future reissues?
Yes, if you already have a contactless card you will receive one every time a new card is sent.

What if I received a new contactless card and I don't want to use it?
If you prefer not to use the contactless feature, you can continue to use the chip and magnetic stripe payment methods on the card.

Are contactless payments secure?
Yes, the security level of a contactless payment is the same as contact chip cards.

Can my contactless card be cloned and used by a thief? Do I need a protective sleeve?
Along with the account number, a one-time security code is sent from the card to the payment terminal to identify that transaction. Since the card does not send your name, the 3 digit code on the back of the card or your billing address using the contactless interface, the thief won't have the information needed to conduct payment transactions, either in person, on the phone or online. You do not need a protective sleeve or NFC-blocking wallet.

Will contactless cards prevent all fraud from happening?
No. As the industry continues to develop new ways to protect consumers, criminals continue to develop new ways to commit fraud—which is why the fraud prevention monitoring we provide is important. Contactless and Contact chip cards provide an additional layer of security when used at contactless-enabled and chip-enabled terminals—and, as always, fraudulent transactions using Bank of America credit and debit cards are covered by our $0 Liability Guarantee as long as you report them promptly; visit our account and card security page for additional security tips¹.

Please review our fraud prevention FAQs for information about recognizing fraud and steps you can take to help protect yourself from fraudsters.

Will contactless cards prevent merchant compromise?
Contactless and Contact chip technology provides an additional layer of security when used at contactless-enabled and chip-enabled terminals. The technology may help reduce certain types of fraud that can result from third-party or merchant compromise, but it will not prevent a compromise. Chip cards use dynamic information for each transaction that is verified by the card issuer making it more difficult to capture the customer's card data and create new fraudulent cards that can be used elsewhere.

Please review our merchant compromise FAQs for information about steps you can take to help protect your identity in the event of a compromise.

Will contactless cards allow others to track my location?
No. Contactless and Contact chip card technology is not a locator system. The technology on your card is limited to supporting authentication of card data when you make a purchase.

What is a contactless payment?
Contactless cards, otherwise known as tap to pay, use near field communication (NFC) to securely complete payments at a contactless-enabled merchant terminal.

How do I know if a merchant terminal is contactless capable?
Look for the Contactless Symbol  on merchant terminals to determine if they are capable of accepting contactless payments. You can make a contactless payment with your contactless card wherever you see the symbol.

How close should a contactless card be to a contactless capable terminal in order for the terminal to read the card?
The card should be within 1–2 inches of the Contactless Symbol on the terminal. The card may also be placed on the Contactless Symbol on the terminal until the transaction is complete (typically 1–2 seconds).

What is the best way to position the contactless card when making a payment?
Contactless-enabled merchant terminals read the card best when the card is placed flat over the Contactless Symbol. Tapping the edge or corner of the card to the terminal may not be as effective.

Do I need to use the contactless functionality to use the card for all purchases?
No, you can still use your contactless card by inserting it or by swiping it if contactless and chip options are not available on the terminal.

Will contactless cards work outside of the United States?
Yes, you can use your contactless debit or credit card at millions of locations around the world that accept contactless payments by tapping it at a contactless checkout terminal where you see the Contactless Symbol.

Will a PIN be required for contactless transactions?
You may be required to enter a PIN to complete ATM transactions, some debit card purchases, and on rare occasions you may be asked to enter a PIN for purchases when traveling outside the U.S. with a credit card.

Will the contactless feature work at a Bank of America ATM?
Yes, the contactless feature will work at all Bank of America ATMs. Non-Bank of America ATMs may or may not have the ability to facilitate a contactless transaction.

Why would I want to make a contactless payment?

1. It's secure — Enjoy the same security as chip cards used at chip-enabled terminals because each contactless transaction uses a one-time security code to protect your payment information.
2. It's easy — Transactions are smoother than ever with fewer surfaces to touch. Simply tap your card on the checkout terminal to make a purchase.
3. It's fast — Your card is read in seconds, so there's less waiting to remove your card from a chip terminal.

How do contactless cards compare to digital wallets like Apple Pay®, Google Pay™, and Samsung Pay?
Contactless cards use the same Near Field Communication (NFC) technology as most digital wallets so if you're used to holding your phone near the Contactless Symbol to pay, it's a similar process. Just like wallets on a mobile device, contactless cards provide the same benefits that all of our debit and credit cards carry.

Can the Contactless feature be used for online purchases?
No, the contactless card feature only applies to in-person transactions at contactless-enabled merchant terminals.