Contactless payments are safe.

Using your contactless card is just as secure as making a payment by dipping or swiping your card. To make a purchase, your card needs to be within 4cm of the card reader on the contactless terminal for more than half a second and a merchant needs to authorise the transaction. There’s no need to fear accidental payments, even if you unintentionally tap your card twice.

Contactless payments are secure

The contactless technology platforms are based on secure chip technology, which provides both data protection and transaction security via the latest encryption technology.

You retain possession of your card to conduct the transaction, which reduces the risk of fraud. Accidental payments or duplications are unlikely to happen, as a safeguard is in place to avoid this. Each transaction must be completed or voided before another can take place.

Could I make a contactless payment without knowing?

No. Your contactless card has to be within four cm of the contactless card reader for more than half a second and the merchant must have entered the payment amount for you to approve. You must, in any event, continue to protect your card and your PIN, so that unauthorised transactions are not made using it.

You’re protected

With CardGuard®, you’re protected from fraudulent transactions on your debit or credit card. CardGuard provides a range of services to help keep you safe. If you do find an unauthorised transaction on your card, you’re protected by our Zero Liability Policy1 and can be reimbursed (provided you have complied with the Credit Card Conditions of Use or Debit Mastercard® Conditions of Use applicable to your card).

Contactless card limits

Your contactless card amount is set to the local country limit, currently $200 in New Zealand. The limit in overseas locations may vary from this. We have no control over the limits used in other countries, and no ability to remove or change the limit in New Zealand. The overall daily transaction limit on your card remains unchanged.

Making a contactless payment with your card.

1. Check that your card has the contactless symbol (this can appear on the front or the back).
Contactless2. Look for the Mastercard logo and contactless symbol to see if the merchant you are visiting accepts this method of payment and let them know you’d like to make a contactless payment.

3. When the transaction amount is shown on the terminal, check it’s correct, then hold your card close to the contactless symbol on the card reader.

4. The sales assistant will confirm your transaction so it can be processed, and the terminal will indicate once your transaction is complete. Collect your receipt if you asked for one, and you’re done.

Contactless payments using your smart device.

Don’t have your card handy? You can use your Apple or Android device to pay in store at a contactless terminal, just like you would with your debit or credit card.

Managing contactless payments.

You can choose to turn contactless payments on or off for your physical debit or credit card and it's easy to do. Head to the 'Manage my Cards' section in Westpac One® online banking, select the card and slide the 'Contactless payments' button to 'on' or 'off'.

If you're not set-up for online banking, call us on 0800 888 111 and our team can turn contactless payments 'off' or 'on' for you.

Turning contactless payments off only applies to the physical card. You can still use contactless payments via your mobile device or smart watch.

Things you should know.

Provided you notify us as soon as possible, have not acted fraudulently or negligently, and have complied with the card’s Conditions of Use.

Eligibility criteria, lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. Conditions of Use for the applicable card apply. Rates, transaction and services fees apply.

Apple Pay is available to eligible Westpac debit and credit Mastercard customers. Customers also need a compatible Apple device. For a list of compatible Apple Pay devices, see Apple Support. Terms and conditions apply to Apple Pay see Westpac Apple Pay Terms and Conditions for more information.

Google Pay is available to eligible Westpac debit and credit Mastercard customers. Customers also need a compatible Android device. For a list of compatible Google Pay devices, see Google Support. Terms and conditions apply to Google Pay see Westpac Google Pay Terms and Conditions for more information.

Apple and Apple Pay are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Google Pay is a trademark of Google LLC.

Mastercard® is a registered trademark and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.