Jan 16, 2017, 6:55 am
Last edit by: storewanderer
Older (archived) threads: 2014-16
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- What is EMV contactless?
EMV contactless is a form of contactless/NFC that uses the same security and encryption that is used when inserting a chip card into an EMV-enabled terminal. Other than not having to sign/enter a PIN for smaller transactions, the security is effectively the same as chip and PIN/chip and signature.
In contrast, MSD contactless is an older version that is designed just and only for the United States. This effectively uses much the same flow as a swiped card transaction with the same rules.
- What is CDCVM?
CDCVM stands for Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method. It's a method of telling the terminal that the customer verified their identity using their mobile device. Terminals that support it will waive the signature/PIN requirement typically in place for larger transactions, potentially saving time at checkout.
More info: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202527
- Does EMV contactless need to be supported to support CDCVM?
Typically, yes. (However, there are some exceptions below.)
- Why can't I tap my foreign-issued contactless card at most places in the US?
This is likely because the store does not support EMV contactless. Foreign issued contactless cards typically do not support MSD contactless since other markets have had EMV for quite some time. In contrast, most stores in the US have yet to get the necessary certifications/software for EMV contactless so they are typically MSD-only--if contactless is enabled at all. (See below for a list of stores where your card will likely work.)
- I paid for a purchase with Apple/Android/Samsung Pay and still had to sign for it.
Most likely, the store in question does not have EMV contactless enabled (see above question). However, there are instances where CDCVM does not work even with EMV contactless enabled. Restaurants that allow tip adjust, for example--where the tip amount is written on a paper receipt and entered by the staff later--cannot support CDCVM. It may simply be a matter of the merchant's processor or the POS software in use not supporting it too.
Another common reason is if you used a US-issued AmEx card with a mobile wallet. AmEx currently does not allow EMV contactless support in mobile wallets for these cards, so they always run as MSD contactless. Because of this, CDCVM is not supported (with very few exceptions, as noted below).
Note: if you used Samsung Pay, you may have paid with MST instead of NFC. Since MST emulates the magnetic pulses that the terminal receives when swiping a regular card, the normal magstripe rules apply.
- How can I tell whether EMV contactless was used?
An easy way to tell if you have Apple Pay is to pay with a Visa or MC while in airplane mode. Wallet will then show a transaction amount next to "Payment" for the card that was used. Alternatively, EMV-related information will typically print on the receipt (AID, etc.) if EMV contactless was used.
(Non-exhaustive) list of EMV contactless supporting merchants in the US:
- 7-Eleven
- 99 Ranch
- Albertsons (Safeway, Vons, Pak N Save, Jewel, Acme, Shaws, Star, Carrs, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Haggen, Eagle, Lucky UT/SoCal)
- Apple Store*†
- Athleta
- Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
- Banana Republic
- Costco Wholesale
- CVS
- DuaneReade*
- El Pollo Loco
- EG Group US (Quik Stop, Kwik Shop, Tom Thumb, Turkey Hill) Note: cashier must press "Electronic Payment" to activate NFC
- Five Below*
- Five Guys
- GAP
- Grocery Outlet*
- Harmon's Grocery
- H&M*
- Jolibee
- Kohl's*
- Lush Cosmetics*
- Maverik
- McDonald's*
- Meijer
- Old Navy
- Panera Bread
- PetSmart
- Ray's Food Place
- Round Table Pizza
- Royal Farms
- Red Ribbon Bakeshop
- Sheetz
- Sherm's Thunderbird Discount Markets Inc.*
- Sprouts
- Staples*
- Starbucks*
- Subway
- Walgreens*
- Weis Markets
- All businesses that use Square and support contactless*
- All businesses that use Clover and support EMV†**
- All businesses that use First Data standalone terminals (e.g. FD100+FD35, FD130) with EMV enabled**
* CDCVM support confirmed
** CDCVM support depends on store/restaurant
† CDCVM supported in MSD mode
USA contactless credit/debit/transit (2017 - 2021)
Aug 20, 2021, 6:10 pm
#9511
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Report them. Visa does not tolerate this stuff.
https://usa.visa.com/Forms/visa-rules.html
https://usa.visa.com/Forms/visa-rules.html
Aug 21, 2021, 7:41 am
#9512
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I have frozen systems a couple of times when tapping. It's not a myth, rather frustrating for me and the staff.
Aug 21, 2021, 12:30 pm
#9513
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While it might not be as effective (or even effective at all) for foreign merchants, I think I did end up getting a US merchant to modify their practices by complaining once. Regardless, I would hope Visa is more able to rein in US merchants considering that it's a US company and all.
Yeah, the software definitely isn't there at some places. While they did have like 6+ years to get it right, I do wonder if moving the original EMV liability shift back would have at least reduced the number of software issues.
Yeah, the software definitely isn't there at some places. While they did have like 6+ years to get it right, I do wonder if moving the original EMV liability shift back would have at least reduced the number of software issues.
Aug 22, 2021, 2:01 am
#9514
Join Date: Jul 2009
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In my complaint to the payment networks each time I said, "Please remind the merchant that checking ID does not change the merchant's liability for a fraudulent transaction, but upgrading their payment systems to enable EMV transactions can provide better security for both the merchant and the customer."
You could indicate something similar along the lines of merchant education such as, "Giving customers additional payment methods such as contactless can speed up transaction times and reduce touch points during a card transaction."
Aug 29, 2021, 5:05 pm
#9515
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I ended up running into a Speedway Express here today. Surprisingly, there were no contactless readers outside, but EMV did work. Photo of the pump below:
Aug 29, 2021, 6:55 pm
#9517
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3,251
They all can because they’re the same models sold in Canada. The software just wasn’t there for the US. However Gilbarco EOL’d a lot of the vertical readers right when the US was getting EMV at the pump, which is why we have a lot more of the horizontal Verifone ones.
Only the later model of the vertical readers can be used in the US, the ones sold right before the switch to the Verifone readers.
Only the later model of the vertical readers can be used in the US, the ones sold right before the switch to the Verifone readers.
Aug 29, 2021, 7:11 pm
#9518
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: ORD
Posts: 35
They all can because they’re the same models sold in Canada. The software just wasn’t there for the US. However Gilbarco EOL’d a lot of the vertical readers right when the US was getting EMV at the pump, which is why we have a lot more of the horizontal Verifone ones.
Only the later model of the vertical readers can be used in the US, the ones sold right before the switch to the Verifone readers.
Only the later model of the vertical readers can be used in the US, the ones sold right before the switch to the Verifone readers.
Interestingly, used one of the UX410s at a Circle K recently. Contactless MC declined, contactless Visa went through fine...
Aug 29, 2021, 10:05 pm
#9520
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3,251
Ah ok. The Verifone UX400 contactless reader must not be able to piggyback off of this vertical EMV reader, hence why I've seen the larger UX410 paired with vertical units like this, which can operate on its own.
Interestingly, used one of the UX410s at a Circle K recently. Contactless MC declined, contactless Visa went through fine...
Interestingly, used one of the UX410s at a Circle K recently. Contactless MC declined, contactless Visa went through fine...
Aug 30, 2021, 5:50 pm
#9521
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On that note, I guess Shell is the only brand actually following that rule as contactless still doesn't work on their pumps (with the same "not supported" error as of today). I didn't go inside, though, so I'm not sure if they've at least turned EMV contactless on for the MX915s.
EDIT: Speedway followed that rule, too, as well as Vons/Safeway/etc.
Aug 30, 2021, 7:52 pm
#9522
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3,251
I'm personally still amazed that places are still allowed to be MSD only. Granted, stores have been gradually switching over, but I would have thought that most gas stations would have gotten EMV contactless as soon as contact EMV started working.
On that note, I guess Shell is the only brand actually following that rule as contactless still doesn't work on their pumps (with the same "not supported" error as of today). I didn't go inside, though, so I'm not sure if they've at least turned EMV contactless on for the MX915s.
EDIT: Speedway followed that rule, too, as well as Vons/Safeway/etc.
On that note, I guess Shell is the only brand actually following that rule as contactless still doesn't work on their pumps (with the same "not supported" error as of today). I didn't go inside, though, so I'm not sure if they've at least turned EMV contactless on for the MX915s.
EDIT: Speedway followed that rule, too, as well as Vons/Safeway/etc.
Aug 30, 2021, 10:41 pm
#9523
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: ORD
Posts: 35
I'm personally still amazed that places are still allowed to be MSD only. Granted, stores have been gradually switching over, but I would have thought that most gas stations would have gotten EMV contactless as soon as contact EMV started working.
On that note, I guess Shell is the only brand actually following that rule as contactless still doesn't work on their pumps (with the same "not supported" error as of today). I didn't go inside, though, so I'm not sure if they've at least turned EMV contactless on for the MX915s.
EDIT: Speedway followed that rule, too, as well as Vons/Safeway/etc.
On that note, I guess Shell is the only brand actually following that rule as contactless still doesn't work on their pumps (with the same "not supported" error as of today). I didn't go inside, though, so I'm not sure if they've at least turned EMV contactless on for the MX915s.
EDIT: Speedway followed that rule, too, as well as Vons/Safeway/etc.