Reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission via POS devices

Contactless card PIN limits to increase temporarily

To help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission via POS devices, the Australian Payments Network (AusPayNet), the self-regulatory body for the payments industry, has decided to increase contactless card transactions from $100 to $200 without requiring a PIN. This is a temporary measure, which will initially be in place for a period of 3 months.

Sydney Mutual Bank members will have the new $200 contactless limit applied to their Visa cards from the evening of Monday, 6 April 2020. Please note that not all merchants will enable the changes on Day 1 but the large supermarkets are likely to be first to launch.

The current daily contactless limits will remain the same (maximum $500 and 10 transactions per day).

FAQs

How do I know when I can use the new contactless transaction limit of $200?

The new limit is being rolled-out progressively. Cardholders will know whether they can use the new temporary limit by following the PIN pad prompt, and can also ask the retailer.

What about security?

Your account will continue to be monitored through predictive fraud systems and we will alert you to any unusual activity. It is vital that you continue to keep your card safe at all times to protect against theft and check your account often. If you lose your card or have any concerns about unauthorised transactions on your account, please contact us immediately.

Does this apply to mobile payments and other wearables?

Customers can continue to use mobile payments and other devices such as watches when purchasing goods as these forms of payment are another highly secure alternative. Some mobile transactions do not usually require a PIN due to the added authentication security on the device. However, some devices will continue to request a PIN for transactions above $100.