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)
Jan 28, 2018, 6:00 pm
#3361
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: PDX
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Posts: 457
Yeah, I still need to max out my Chase Freedom bonus so that'll work fine. Plus, I heard that those things only print out paper tickets/passes so I can't even get a Hop card as a souvenir (without going to one of their manned sales locations, anyway).
Also, the EMV chip is apparently on the wrong side of the card image in the photo.
Also, the EMV chip is apparently on the wrong side of the card image in the photo.
(Well...maybe just surprised.)
Jan 28, 2018, 6:35 pm
#3362
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,502
I don't see that location on the MC map, though that doesn't mean all that much. I may be leaving Portland too early tomorrow to confirm either way, unfortunately.
Jan 28, 2018, 8:45 pm
#3363
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Window Seat
Programs: National Executive, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Visitor
Posts: 2,495
Have used Android Pay at 3 different Save Marts in Nevada this week (2 at a full service register, 1 at self checkout) no issue. Transactions around $1 each. Maybe a larger amount is messing it up?
Jan 29, 2018, 6:04 am
#3364
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: HHonors, TrueBlue, Delta SkyMiles, Hyatt Discoverist, Starwood Preferred Guest, American Airlines.
Posts: 2,035
Jan 29, 2018, 9:12 am
#3365
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: San Diego, CA
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Posts: 15,502
Also, with signature going away altogether, I'm not sure EMV vs. MSD matters all that much for the American consumer (assuming said consumer doesn't plan on traveling abroad).
Jan 29, 2018, 9:40 am
#3366
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3,250
It won’t matter either way as the Apple Pay cards support both.
Jan 29, 2018, 9:57 am
#3367
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,537
When actual magstripe is a distant memory, fraud will shift to the next easiest thing - MSD contactless... There's also the general reliability issue to consider.
Jan 29, 2018, 10:20 am
#3368
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: San Diego, CA
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Posts: 15,502
Eh, online fraud seems like an easier target than MSD contactless, especially since there still seems to be no appetite for 3D Secure here.
Jan 29, 2018, 11:33 am
#3369
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), Star Alliance Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,194
We're actually seeing a lot of MSD contactless fraud in Canada (and many merchants don't have 3d secure here either), so much so that Visa is ending MSD terminal support early in Canada (Amex is also getting hammered on MSD contactless fraud as well but I can't see them ending support as barely any Canadian terminals support EMV contactless on Amex). Visa is also blocking all Canadian mag stripe fallback transactions on the 1st Feb as well.
Jan 29, 2018, 11:34 am
#3370
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: *G^2, Bonvoyed, NEXUS
Posts: 3,506
We're actually seeing a lot of MSD contactless fraud in Canada (and 75% of merchants don't have 3d secure here either), so much so that Visa is ending MSD terminal support early in Canada. Visa is also blocking all Canadian mag stripe fallback transactions on the 1st Feb as well.
Jan 29, 2018, 11:39 am
#3371
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,537
We're actually seeing a lot of MSD contactless fraud in Canada (and many merchants don't have 3d secure here either), so much so that Visa is ending MSD terminal support early in Canada (Amex is also getting hammered on MSD contactless fraud as well but I can't see them ending support as barely any Canadian terminals support EMV contactless on Amex). Visa is also blocking all Canadian mag stripe fallback transactions on the 1st Feb as well.
MSD contactless needs to end, ideally today. I'd rather see contactless acceptance temporarily drop a bit than see consumer confidence in contactless permanently destroyed in the US.
Jan 29, 2018, 11:39 am
#3372
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), Star Alliance Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,194
For domestic transactions yes. Actual terminal support will still end on the 19th October 2019 but domestic issuers will have to decline MSD contactless transactions very soon (1st April off the top of my head but could be sooner (There is an exemption for gas pumps though)). The FI I work for already declines MSD transactions in Canada (with the exception of one big national merchant, who won't complete their MSD to EMV upgrade for a few more months).
Jan 29, 2018, 8:33 pm
#3373
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Would it be, though? I mean, if something like the Target breach didn't cause people to stop using cards en masse, I'm not sure what would.
Jan 29, 2018, 9:42 pm
#3374
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,502
Speaking of MSD contactless, apparently the car wash with unattended EMV capable terminals I mentioned before didn't use EMV contactless tonight. I don't think it's an iOS beta issue either, since I'm pretty sure a transaction at a SSP America location in PDX earlier in the day used EMV contactless with no issue. I wonder what happened.
Jan 30, 2018, 5:06 am
#3375
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,722
I just saw two BP Bucky's with Flex Pay IV with nfc readers and I know BP in Sioux Falls SD have working nfc at the pump. I'm soon going to try out nfc at BP Bucky's which already has working nfc at the pump at an unbranded Bucky's Express location. It seems they only have it at recently upgraded pump locations or new locations. I also wonder if BP is mandating it at the pump now? Very interesting things happening at the pump recently.