If you recently received a new credit or debit card, you may have noticed an added feature: a symbol on the front or back of the card signaling contactless, “tap to pay” capability. Learn more about contactless cards.

U.S. consumers may have noticed more checkout terminals featuring the contactless pay symbol and more banks delivering contactless, or tap to pay, cards. Contactless cards communicate with a point of sale terminal using wireless technology. Here are four things you should know about this fast, simple, and secure new payment method.

• 1. They’re Using the Same Security Protections as Your EMV Chip Card
  EMV, or chip, technology was developed to help fight credit and debit card fraud. The computer chip embedded in each chip card creates a unique code for each transaction when used at an EMV-enabled terminal. This code cannot be used for other card transactions. Contactless cards use the same unique security as EMV chip cards to protect your information when used for contactless payments. With contactless cards, neither the cardholder’s name nor the card’s security number are shared with the transaction.
• 2. They’re A Popular Payment Method Abroad
  In the U.K. and Canada, contactless payments account for more than half of all in-person transactions. In Australia, contactless payments represent nearly 90 percent of all in-person Visa transactions. Contactless payments are available at many points of sale in most countries around the world, although the checkout experience may vary slightly. For example, you may need to provide a PIN at some checkout terminals.
• 3. They’re Tapped, Not Inserted or Swiped
  While traditional cards are swiped and EMV cards are inserted, contactless cards must be tapped or placed within roughly one inch of the point of sale terminal. With contactless payments, your transaction will be securely processed within a matter of seconds.
• 4. Chips and Mag-Stripes Have Not Gone Away
  Today’s contactless cards typically also come equipped with both EMV chips and magnetic stripes. That means they can be used for contactless, chip-based, and magnetic stripe-based transactions.

Contactless card technology provides additional security over magnetic stripe-based transactions when contactless payment terminals are used. But not all merchants or ATMs have tap to pay terminals. Plus, online transactions continue to be processed the usual way, though strides are being taken to improve the security of these transactions, as well.

It’s important to remember that no method is foolproof, so you should continue to manage and protect your debit and credit card accounts.

Learn more about tap to pay and see if your debit or credit card is equipped for contactless payments.