As many states begin the “reopening” phases of businesses across the US, contactless payments are being required by the government. For example, in the state of California, the beginning of Phase 2 the governor is asking businesses to develop contactless payment procedures, have hand sanitizer available for employees and customers, ensure employees have proper protective gear, and ask employees use curbside delivery when possible.
In addition, all major banks and card brands are issuing new cards to their customers, as well. The U.S. had been slow to adopt this technology, just as they were with the EMV chip card. Now, amongst the spread of COVID-19, “tapping” and NFC will become the “new” normal.
Contactless payments are much faster than dipping a card and just as secure. Visa says 48 percent of its in-person transactions (excluding the U.S.) are contactless. That includes more than 90 percent of transactions in Australia and more than 50 percent in the U.K. and Canada.
3 Reasons to utilize contactless payments devices
- Eliminate cash – Cash is dirty, slow and requires change. Knowing COVID-19 can live outside of the human body for hours or days is troublesome. Therefore, eliminating cash reduces risk of spreading COVID-19.
- Single “tap” – The new cards will allow customers to complete a transaction quickly with a single tap at millions of merchants. Because consumers will receive new cards with this technology, you will want to make sure your business is offering the same safe, clean transactions your customers are expecting and see at other businesses
- Cost – Accepting a “tapped” transaction runs at the same cost as a “swiped” or “dipped” transaction and has all of the inherent security of the transaction built right in; therefore, utilizing this technology will not result in any increases in your bottom-line.
Right now, we are offering FREE* contactless devices for merchants processing in excess of $25,000 per month. Not processing that much? You can rent the devices for as low as $25 per month.
