For a video on how to use Contactless click here.
General
Q. What is a Visa Contactless Debit Card?
A. Contactless Visa Debit Cards allow you to make payments by tapping your card onto a contactless terminal (indicated by the paywave symbol) to pay for low value transactions up to £15 (£20 from 1st June 2012). The contactless logo will be shown at all retailers where contactless transactions can be undertaken. The logo will also be on the card so you will be able to recognise it.
Q. How will I know I have a contactless card?
A. The card will look no different to how it does now, apart from the addition of Contactless paywave symbol 
on the front of the card.
Q: How does contactless work?
A: When you undertake a single low value transaction up to £15 (£20 from 1st June 2012) at a retailer who has a contactless terminal you should hold your HSBC Contactless Visa Debit Card to the contactless terminal and wait for a beep to show the card has been read successfully. No PIN, no cash and no coins.
HSBC Contactless Visa Debit Card will feature a chip and a radio frequency antenna embedded into the card which will enable the contactless terminal to read your contactless debit card, your card will transmit details wirelessly, eliminating the need to insert your card and enter a PIN code or signature.
Q. Can I accidentally pay for someone's shopping when passing a contactless terminal?
A. No, you will only be debited if you hold your Contactless Visa Debit Card against the Contactless terminal.
Q. How close to the card reader / machine do I have to be?
A. You should hold your Contactless Visa Debit card against the contactless terminal to guarantee that the terminal picks up the signal. We recommend that you remove the Contactless Visa Debit card from your wallet/purse to make a purchase if you have other contactless products as this may cause interference.
Q. When will I be asked to enter my PIN/Signature?
A. You will occasionally be asked to undertake a PIN / Signature transaction for security reasons to enable us to confirm that the card is still with the authorised cardholder or for all transactions over £15 (or £20 from 1st June 2012).
Q. Will I need to activate the Contactless functionality once I receive my Contactless Visa Debit Card?
A. If your card requires activation, you will be required to confirm you have received your Contactless Visa Debit Cards in the usual way - via Internet Banking or over the telephone (if you have received a replacement card without a PIN you can also activate at one of our ATMs).
Remember: The first time, and occasionally thereafter, you may be asked to enter your PIN or sign when making a Contactless card payment.
Q. Is there a limit on the number of Contactless Visa Debit Card transactions I can do?
A. No, you will occasionally be asked to undertake a PIN / Signature transaction for security reasons to enable us to confirm that the card is being used by the authorised cardholder. Contactless transactions can be made for low value payments up to £15 (£20 from 1st June 2012).
Q. Will Contactless Visa Debit Cards interfere with Oyster / other Contactless Debit / Contactless Credit Cards?
A. It is likely that Contactless Visa Debit Card will interfere or be interfered by an Oyster Card and any other Contactless Debit / Credit Cards that you may have. We recommend you remove your Contactless card from your wallet / purse when performing a Contactless transaction.
General questions: Show more
Benefits
Q. What has the Contactless Visa Debit Card been designed to do?
A. Contactless is designed to enable a customer to carry less cash and purchase low value items securely and in less than a second.
Q. Will a Contactless transaction be quicker?
A. Yes, it will be much quicker than a normal card transaction or cash payment as there is no need to insert the card into a terminal and enter a PIN or to search for the correct change.
Q. Can I use my Contactless Visa Debit Card abroad?
A. Yes, you can use your Contactless Visa Debit Card abroad just as you can in the UK. Contactless transactions will be accepted wherever the paywave symbol is displayed .
Please be aware that the Contactless transaction limit of £15 (£20 from 1 June 2012) may vary depending on local limits (may be more or less).
There are no additional fees when using your Contactless Card abroad to existing Chip&Pin transactions. For more details on using your card abroad click here.
Q. Is it secure?
A. Contactless uses the latest secure Visa technology (same as Chip and PIN) so you can feel confident when using it to pay for items.
Q. Will I be charged for a Contactless Card?
A. No, Contactless Visa Debit cards are free to all eligible customers.
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Using your Card
Q. Can I continue to make payments using chip & pin for low value items?
A. Yes, you will still be able to use your Contactless Visa Debit Card in the traditional way for low value transactions.
Q. Will I have to treat my card in a special way?
A. You should treat your card as you would with any other payment card and should remember to contact HSBC immediately if your card is lost or stolen.
Q. Will I receive a receipt for purchases?
A. A receipt is not usually issued as standard but can be requested from the retailer once the transaction is completed.
Q. What if I do not think that a transaction on my statement is mine?
A. Any transaction that is not recognised should be reported in the normal way.
Q. What should I do if my Contactless Visa Debit Card is not working?
A. It is important to ensure that you have first of all:
- If your card requires activation, ensure that you have done so in the usual way via Internet Banking or over the telephone (if you have received a replacement card without a PIN you can also activate at one of our ATMs).
- Performed a PIN / Signature transaction to activate the Contactless feature.
Also, make sure that you have a Contactless Visa Debit Card with the contactless paywave symbol located on the front of your card.
If you have only made one attempt to make a contactless transaction and was asked to enter your PIN or signature then you should attempt to make another contactless payment. If this is unsuccessful you should report your card damaged.
Q. What if lose or someone steals my card?
A. Report your card as Lost & Stolen by calling us on 08456 007 010. Any unauthorised Contactless transactions will be treated in the same way as all unauthorised transactions.
Q. When will contactless transactions debit my account?
A. You will not be able to see contactless transactions immediately on your account; it is therefore important that you are aware of your contactless spend. Contactless transactions may take up to 2 days to debit your account.
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