"Fast Pay" at coles, macdonalds, etc - how do I opt out??

**peanutter** · July 3rd, 2011, 12:44 AM

Hi there,

At my local coles (and apparently at MacDonalds everywhere for almost a year?? shows how infrequently I go ...) it's now the case that with any Visa, Mastercard or AMEX it automatically accepts the transaction without the need for PIN or signature

And no one I've spoken to (including Mr Google) knows any way I can opt out of this "helpful" facility.

Anyone else know?

I really, really don't like it. I don't want it. Boo.

**AnyDream** · July 3rd, 2011, 01:08 AM

Peanutter, I have had exactly the same experience. Didn't ask for it, don't want it. However, I believe it only applies to transactions under $30 so I haven't applied myself to finding out with any force.

**Taurean** · July 3rd, 2011, 01:16 AM

Peanutter, I have had exactly the same experience. Didn't ask for it, don't want it. However, I believe it only applies to transactions under $30 so I haven't applied myself to finding out with any force.

I heard it advertised again today and it's for purchases of $100 or less only. I still don't like it either!

**peanutter** · July 3rd, 2011, 01:19 AM

the coles info sheet says $35, but I'm *not* happy ...

**Miss_Dee** · July 3rd, 2011, 01:36 AM

You can choose to do the 'swipe and go' thing that's being advertised which is for purchases of $100 and under. But you can choose to do that over signing/entering your pin. Not sure you can actually opt out for places like McDonalds (who only do it for purchases under $30). You can obviously advise you wish to sign/enter your pin, but I don't think you can make that apply to your card no matter who uses it. I'd call your bank perhaps?

**Ca Plane Pour Moi** · July 3rd, 2011, 01:46 AM

Pay cash rather than cards? That's what I tend to do at busy places anyway, even when I have to enter PINs.

**black_rose** · July 3rd, 2011, 02:02 AM

Not very happy about it either, I would rather wait 30 seconds and sign or enter my pin than just swipe. It's not a inconvenience to do so at all!

**luna moth** · July 3rd, 2011, 06:44 AM

Not very happy about it either, I would rather wait 30 seconds and sign or enter my pin than just swipe. It's not a inconvenience to do so at all!

Unfortunately, it's not *you* they care about inconveniencing. Faster transactions mean shorter queues, which means less staff, which means more profit.

Paying cash is a pretty good option, but it does require a bit more discipline.

**[M]umma[M]ia** · July 3rd, 2011, 07:32 AM

I dont like it either. I dont see it as a very "safe" way to go. I think not asking for pins or signing with something like that is just asking for trouble in the future.

**Just Me** · July 3rd, 2011, 07:58 AM

Not very happy about it either, I would rather wait 30 seconds and sign or enter my pin than just swipe. It's not a inconvenience to do so at all!

The thing is, you still have to wait for the transaction to be approved so it doesn't take less time except that the staff don't have to mess around looking for a pen.

I am not entirely sure, but I think because you don't sign a receipt or enter a pin, if you were to dispute that amount being purchased on your card when you get your cc statement, they would have to refund the money because they don't have any proof that you signed for it. It really is going to give all new meaning to kids' stealing from their parents wallets. Not that I think most kids do or would, but it is just another window of opportunity that is unneccessary.

Also, they have the same thing at Kmart.

I think the only way to opt out is with cash.

**Astrid** · July 3rd, 2011, 08:32 AM

I wondered about this. I would have assumed it would be an opt in function.

Will need to talk to my bank as they have moved my ATM card over to a Visa Debit (I did not ask for it) and I have no idea which account the Visa part links to. I have 2 accounts on that card and I don't want a transaction failing due it accessing the wrong account. Might need to do a 'test' one day and see what account it hits.

**LysnDan** · July 3rd, 2011, 02:55 AM

I hand over my card and say savings straight away. (that way they put it in the normal eftpossy thingo) I don't like the idea of it at all. Ive looked into going to another bank because of this issue...

If you had your card stolen, they can use it at one store for 100dollars and then go to a different store, Use another 100 dollars. And so on until you reach an empty account. (they use 'credit' function so you have no 'daily limit')

Sorry for going on and on, but it grinds my gears too! Lol

Sent from my iPhone (via Tapatalk) so please forgive the spelling mistakes...

**FabFiona** · July 3rd, 2011, 08:59 AM

A visa debit card will only access the cash in your savings account. It's like a normal EFTPOS card but you an hit credit instead of savings.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Miss.September** · July 3rd, 2011, 09:12 AM

A visa debit card will only access the cash in your savings account. It's like a normal EFTPOS card but you an hit credit instead of savings.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It depends on how it's set up. DH and I have both cheque and savings accounts on our Visa debits, but the credit function takes it out of cheque for DH and savings for me.

**OceanPrincess** · July 3rd, 2011, 09:52 AM

TBH - I don't really see how it's any different to "signing" - can anyone tell me the last time a salesperson actually looked at their sig??? Half the time they give me my card back before I've even signed!!!

Is it just for credit? Or any eftpos?

**black_rose** · July 3rd, 2011, 10:02 AM

They always check at all our shops around here, if I forget and put the card away they ask to see it.

**Kazbah** · July 3rd, 2011, 10:21 AM

From the Visa website:

Q&As

Q. Are these payments safe?

A. Yes, these transactions are still electronically authorised by the cardholder's financial institution and the security of the card has not been affected.

Q. What if a cardholder loses his/her Visa card and somebody else uses it?

A. The transactions are still electronically authorised to check if the card has been report lost or stolen.
We encourage cardholders to take good care of their Visa cards and to report lost or stolen cards to their card issuer promptly. By doing so, they will be entitled to all Visa card protection as stipulated in the agreement with the card issuing financial institution.

Q. What is the difference between Visa payWave and the Visa Easy Payment Service?

A. Visa payWave cards feature special contactless technology that allows the chip in the card to communicate with a special contactless reader. Visa payWave cards are identified by the Visa payWave logo and wave symbol. Cardholders simply hold the Visa payWave card against the reader to make the payment, with no need to sign or PIN for purchases up to $100.

The Visa Easy Payment Service offers the convenience and the speed of not having to provide a signature or PIN for transactions $35 or less, and applies to any existing Visa card at participating merchants. Cardholders will still need to swipe or insert their card.

So it looks like your card needs to be set up for payWave http://www.visa-asia.com/ap/au/media...S_brochure.pdf
So pretty much each time you use your CC you need to keep a note of it and check your bill carefully ...