There have been so many updates within payment technology in recent years that we thought it would be beneficial to break some of it down for you with a focus on contactless EMV.
First things first, what is Contactless EMV? Contactless EMV uses near-field communications (NFC) to allow secure payments. An embedded EMV chip and antenna enable consumers to wave their card over a reader at a POS terminal to make payments. This wireless communication allows the payment information to transmit to the POS terminal without inserting or swiping the card.
Contactless is also known as an RFID payment, NFC payment, and/or Tap to Pay. A lot of times when we talk about contactless payments, we think of mobile phone wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. However, it can also be found in contactless enabled credit and debit cards with this symbol printed on the card plastic.
For contactless security, there are two main variants: The older method is called contactless MSD (Mag Stripe Data) format, and the newest is referred to as contactless EMV formatted data.
Most sites in the field today still use contactless MSD at the dispenser because of industry delays with development and certification of software to support contactless EMV. However, contactless EMV has been widely available on the inside systems and PIN pads, and outside contactless EMV capability is now available for all EPOS types on our branded network.
What about Fraud?
Many sites are accepting contactless payments today at the dispenser but are not processing as contactless EMV. It is important for sites to upgrade software* to become EMV Contactless compliant to avoid the ongoing potential of fraud chargebacks. *Dispenser hardware and/or firmware updates may also be required.
Some card brands have also issued compliance requirements. Visa has advised that sites utilizing only contactless MSD at the dispenser are outside of their compliance requirements to process contactless EMV, even though they are aware of the timing challenges in the industry. With this requirement, Visa has announced that they will begin fining merchants that continue to process contactless MSD at the dispenser. To avoid these significant fines, these specific transactions will be disabled on the Phillips 66 network.
- Beginning March 1, 2023, all Visa contactless mag stripe data (MSD) transactions that originate at a dispenser will be disabled and no longer work until contactless EMV capable software is installed and enabled in the site EPOS systems. Impacted consumers can continue to process card-based EMV (contact) transactions and mobile-based transactions using the My Phillips 66®, My 76®, and My Conoco® apps, or consumers can pre-pay inside as needed.
Software Versions with Contactless EMV capability at the dispenser: (As of Feb. 1, 2023)
Gilbarco Passport:
Version 21.03 MP24
Verifone Commander:
Version 53.40
NCR RPOS
EPC 3.2.001.11 and RPOS 2021.13.2 (In beta but available as needed)
These are the minimum versions with contactless OEMV support and each vendor will continue to release additional versions over time.
Please check BizLink periodically for the latest software version information.
If you are ever unsure about the EPOS software you’re using at your sites, you can reach out to your vendor helpdesk, local technician, or the Phillips 66 helpdesk.
