FCA considers removing £100 contactless limit
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a paper seeking views on removing the £100 contactless limit.
The FCA is looking at whether removing or increasing the contactless limit could benefit consumers, merchants and economic growth in the UK.
Making regulation less prescriptive would also give firms greater control and could promote innovative payment methods or fraud prevention solutions.
This forms part of the work, announced in January in a letter to the Prime Minister to support growth.
One option put forward is to allow firms, who use technology to reinforce strong fraud controls, to set their own limits as happens in the United States.
Any changes would need to support good customer outcomes as required by the Consumer Duty.
David Geale, executive director of payments and digital assets at the FCA, said:
‘Currently 85% of people in the UK make contactless card payments each month. This is the perfect opportunity to explore whether we can improve and increase trust in the UK’s payments system. We’ve worked fast to progress this work which is one of around 50 measures we put forward at the start of the year to help support economic growth across the UK and, in turn, improve lives.’
Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds, said:
‘The FCA’s review of the contactless payment limits, including removing the £100 limit on individual payments, is a welcome step to ensure that families can safely benefit from more flexibility when making purchases.’
The FCA will focus on how consumers are protected in the case of any changes to contactless limits. Existing legislation requiring firms to reimburse consumers in cases of unauthorised payment fraud, for example when their cards are lost or stolen, will remain in place.
Feedback to the engagement paper closes on Friday, 9 May 2025.
March 14, 2025 @ 11:31 am
The £100 limit on our cards; should not be removed. As this will lead to more theft and misuse; It’s paramount to an open door for thieves
March 14, 2025 @ 11:31 am
I have no problem using my PIN number on the occasions my purchases exceed £100. I believe the limit should remain at £100 for security purposes
March 14, 2025 @ 11:32 am
I am totally against removing the £100 limit as this will make it far easier for the ives and scammers to spend more money. What is wrong with putting your card in a machine and putting in a pin number. May take 10 seconds ds more but I am sure it will be safer.
March 14, 2025 @ 12:05 pm
I do not want the £100 limit on contactless payments increasing
March 14, 2025 @ 12:53 pm
Any increase will give an incentive for Fraudsters to steal more cards.
Any purchases over £100 can be paid by using ones Pin Number