Visa Debit payWave Frequently Asked Questions
What is Visa payWave?
Visa payWave is a new contactless method of payment, the latest evolution in Visa payments. Featuring
a distinctive contactless mark the cards have a tiny antenna embedded into the chip which securely
transmits payment instructions to and from a specially adapted card terminal.
What are the benefits?
A Visa payWave-enabled card is a quicker and more convenient way to pay:
- It saves time on both sides of the counter due to shorter transaction times and shorter queue times.
- It’s more convenient as you no longer need to worry about carrying around pockets of cash.
- The card doesn’t leave your hand at checkout when making a contactless purchase.
- You don’t have to sign anything or enter a PIN for purchases under $100.
How do I use my Visa payWave-enabled card?
Look out for a retailer displaying the contactless symbol and Visa logo at the point of sale – in Australia
and overseas. Hold your card within 4 cm of the secure contactless reader. Four green lights will appear.
You can then remove your card and the transaction will be complete. You can choose to have a receipt,
but this is optional.
How close does the card need to be near the reader?
You should hold your Visa payWave-enabled card within 4cm of the card reader. The card will not be
detected by the reader if it is not within range.
Is there a limit on the value of goods you can purchase with Visa payWave technology?
You can use your Visa payWave-enabled card for any amount in Australia. For purchases under A$100
you can wave and go. For purchases over A$100 a PIN is required.
What happens if I try to purchase goods over $100?
For purchases exceeding $100 you can still use your Visa payWave-enabled card by entering your PIN to
authorise the transaction.
Will I receive a receipt for transactions I make?
A Visa payWave payment is designed to let you make low value transactions quickly and conveniently.
The retailer will ask if you require a receipt. If you do not require a receipt, please advise the retailer and a
receipt will not be given. For purchases over A$100 a PIN is required and a receipt will be provided.
Is there any chance that payments may be taken twice from my account?
Visa payWave terminals are designed to only make one transaction per card at a time. All Visa payWave
terminals are tested and certified to confirm that a card is only read once before the transaction is
concluded. As a safeguard, each transaction must be complete or void before another one can take
place.
How do I know when a payment has been made?
Your transaction is confirmed by illumination of four green indicator lights and a display message
confirming that your transaction has been successful.
Could I unknowingly have made a purchase if I walk past the reader?
Your card has to be waved within 4 centimeters of the card reader for more than half a second and the
retailer must have first entered the amount for you to approve. Terminals can only process one payment
transaction at a time thereby reducing transaction errors. Configurations are so that once a transaction
has been processed, the opportunity for duplicate transaction is removed.
How do I know that my transaction information is secure?
The Visa payWave platform is based on secure EMV chip technology which provides both data protection
and transaction security via the use of keys and the latest encryption technology. Transactions are
processed through the same, reliable payment network as magnetic strip transactions.
Is this technology as secure as my current Visa card?
Visa payWave-enabled cards are just as secure as any other Visa chip card and carry the same multiple
layers of security protection, including Zero Liability, which ensures you are not responsible for fraudulent
or unauthorized transactions. In addition, with Visa payWave, you retain control of your card during the
transaction, which reduces the risk of fraud. You are also covered with Visa’s zero liability.
Which retailers will accept my card?
Your card will be accepted for Visa payWave transactions wherever you see the contactless symbol and
Visa logo at the point of sale in Australia or around the world.
You can still use your Visa payWave-enabled card for traditional transactions at millions of locations
worldwide wherever you see the Visa sign, including over the internet, telephone or via mail order.
Can I use my card at retailers that do not have Visa payWave terminals?
The card’s chip and magnetic stripe also allows the card to be used in the same way a traditional Visa
card is used wherever Visa is accepted (using a signature or PIN).
What card types will have Visa payWave capabilities?
Visa payWave capabilities can be incorporated on any Visa card – credit, debit or prepaid.
Do I need to select credit, savings, or cheque buttons when I make a transaction?
When using your card contactlessly with Visa payWave the transaction is automatically routed through
the credit button, however, using your card the standard way (in contact mode) you will have the option of
Credit, Savings and Cheque.
Can I get cash out at Merchants with a Visa payWave card?
Yes. You can get cash out simply by swiping or dipping your card in the standard way and selecting
Cheque or Savings.
Can my card be compromised?
Some media outlets have reported that cards maybe read without your consent by fraudsters with mobile
readers. Whilst card compromise of many types is possible on all cards, this is unlikely and you are
protected by Visa’s zero liability.