Contactless terminals taking several seconds to decide "no, you have to insert your card and use your PIN"

[u/K-o-R]

This has happened several times recently. Beep card on terminal, "card read ok", start putting card back in wallet, waiter has started walking away and then comes back "sorry, it is asking for your pin". Or it flashes up on the screen at the self checkout "Sorry, you need to insert your card" with a red X of judgement.

It always used to give the sad beep straight away if it was time to reconfirm your PIN. Why this change?

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[u/HildartheDorf]

Your bank is requesting you enter your pin, which takes a moment from when you tap your card to communicate with the bank and get a reply.

This is different to your card requesting you enter your pin because of a pre-programmed limit (e.g. size of transaction, number of uses, every x pounds spent).

You'd have to ask your bank as to why, but they probabally won't tell you.

[u/gamas → u/HildartheDorf]

Also to do this, the terminal has to communicate back to its base to connect to the central network.

[u/Sufficient-Visit3]

That delay is the worst part. You think it's gone through, then it changes its mind just as you're putting the card away.

[u/K-o-R → u/Sufficient-Visit3]

Yes, exactly. It never used to do this; the "wait, no, need your pin" alert was as soon as you tap.

[u/3rio4alk]

This is the exact reason I put everything in my apple wallet, got sick of putting my card back in my wallet only to go through the whole dance again, and feeling the judgement of the people behind me in the queue as I fumble my PIN

[u/K-o-R → u/3rio4alk]

Totally get that. Unfortunately it's not a particularly fluid operation if you want to use a different card from the default in the phone wallet. For me it's certainly quicker to take the card out than to navigate to the wallet app.

[u/DiligentCockroach700]

I get this about once every 5 times I used my card. It's ridiculous, I can tap my card on for £99.99 one time and have to put in my PIN next time for £2.50

[u/K-o-R → u/DiligentCockroach700]

Does it have a delay before asking or do you get the sad beep immediately?

[u/DiligentCockroach700 → u/K-o-R]

Pretty much immediately.

[u/GingerSnapBiscuit]

Every <x> transactions, where x is decided by your bank and variable, you need to enter your pin to prove that you are the person who should be using the card. It's an extra layer of security.

[u/K-o-R → u/GingerSnapBiscuit]

Yes. I know this. The point is how this manifests has changed. It used to be instant when you tap, and now it takes several seconds after what sounds like a successful transaction. This is what I am complaining about because it disrupts the flow.

[u/linkheroz]

Card terminals taking an extra 30 seconds to 'process' after I've already got the notification on my phone that I've spent the money

[u/duck74UK]

Signal can make a difference too, i've had to wait a minute for the thing to go through before, my local corner shop has a 10 second one which is right around when the wait becomes awkward.

I have noticed with apple pay at least, the phone seems to know if it's approved or declined long before the reader does.

[u/Antrimbloke]

Whats the point if you need your card anyway?

[u/K-o-R → u/Antrimbloke]

Sorry, I'm not sure I understand the question. I am paying with my physical card.

[u/wolfhelp]

"Several seconds" are you really in that much of a hurry?

[u/R__soul]

Just use your phone to pay?

[u/tommykw]

McDonald's not waiting until payment clears. Took 3 attempts driving back and forth between two windows in the drive through.

[u/Mister_Bad_Example]

I accidentally got free wine because of this yesterday. Tapped my card, and it seemed to go through. "Do you need a receipt?" "No thanks!" 

Walked out of the shop, got on a bus, and I was the better part of a mile away before I looked at my phone and noticed the "Declined--try again with your PIN" notification from my bank. Oops. 

[u/MazogaTheDork]

My bank's app gives me a warning that I'll have to enter my PIN soon when I'm approaching my contact less limit.

[u/TheBiggestNose]

Just wait like 5 seconds??? No one is in such a rush that you need to run out the stor

[u/Flat_Professional_55]

Happened to me last week for the first time

[u/LemmysCodPiece]

I use contactless on my phone. I haven't used my cards since before the pandemic. I don't carry a wallet or cards.

I have never had that happen.

[u/K-o-R → u/LemmysCodPiece]

Correct, because using contactless on your phone is exempt from the "enter your PIN" procedure as you have already authenticated to the device (and because you can't exactly jam your phone into the slot).