Back

Contactless technology on your Visa credit cards

1. What is a contactless chip card?

  • Is a chip card that has a near-field communication (NFC) antenna, enabling close-range payments. Transmits wirelessly, via radio frequency, the information necessary to make a transaction to merchants’ terminal or point of sale enabled with NFC technology.
  • When you TAP your card near the contactless symbol of the checkout terminal, your payment is sent quickly and securely for authorization.

2. What is NFC technology?

Near Field Communication (NFC) is the technology that terminals or points of sale use to receive and process transactions with contactless cards or devices. It is identified with the symbol.


3. What are the benefits of contactless payments?

Speed and convenience. All you have to do is TAP with your card the terminal or point of sale where you see the symbol to make your payment.


4. Are contactless payments secure?

Yes. For various reasons:

  • The financial industry uses advanced technologies on contactless cards, network and processing system to prevent fraud.
  • Just like chip card transactions, contactless payments are secure because each transaction is accompanied by a one-time security code that authenticates each transaction.
  • To process payments, your card must be within 1-2 inches of the contactless symbol on the terminal, so it is unlikely to pay accidentally.
  • As with any credit card transaction, you are protected against unauthorized charges.

5. Does the antenna transmit my name or personal information during the transaction?

No, the antenna does not transmit any personal information.


6. Where can I pay with my contactless Popular card?

In places where you see the contactless symbol on the checkout terminal. Just look for the symbol at checkout and TAP your card to pay. Many merchants around the world accept contactless payments. If a store doesn’t have contactless readers, you can still swipe your card or use a chip reader. Please note that some merchants might have the contactless symbol on the terminal but might have not activated the software to enable contactless transactions.


7. How close does my contactless Popular card need to be to the contactless checkout terminal?

Your card must be within 1-2 inches of the contactless symbol on the terminal.


8. How do I hold my contactless Popular card to the checkout terminal?

Typically, the terminal reads the antenna best when the card is flat over the contactless symbol. However, some contactless readers will function best if you TAP the chip to the actual payment reader.


9. When exactly do I TAP to pay?

Once you are prompted to pay, by the cashier or the machine, simply TAP your card to the terminal where you see the Contactless Symbol.


10. Can I use my contactless Popular card even if I don’t see the contactless symbol?

Yes. If you don’t see the symbol, you can still use your card at an EMV chip terminal by inserting your card, or at a magnetic stripe terminal by swiping your card.

11. Are contactless cards as secure as chip cards?

Yes, contactless cards still have a chip. When used at a chip-enabled register, a unique code is created that changes each time the card is used.


12. Can contactless cards be used for online or over-the-phone purchases?

Yes. It still has a number, expiration date and security code like other cards.


13. Where can I use my contactless Popular card?

Worldwide. You can use your card at merchants around the world that accept contactless payments.



For more information Chat Online or call us at Chat en línea, llámanos al 787.724.3650 or 1.888.724.3650 for more information..


Need more help?

We are receiving an extraordinary volume of calls, which is affecting our waiting times. We appreciate your understanding and your trust in us.

Call us at 787.724.3659 or Access Mi Banco Online (desktop version), log in by entering your username and password, and in the upper part of the website click on “Contact Us”. From there, write your message, and we will gladly assist you.

We encourage you to consult the following information regarding useful and accessible solutions for you.



FDIC Member. Products and services offered by Banco Popular de Puerto Rico.

1Withdrawals are subject to the availability of funds in your account.

2Deposits are subject to the provisions of the Bank’s Funds Availability Policy. Easy Deposit Mobile is a free service and only for Banco Popular customers with individual deposit accounts and/or commercial accounts (FlexiCuenta de Negocios® & B-Smart®). Customers selected in accordance with the Bank’s eligibility criteria. Checks deposited before 6:00 p.m. of a business day will be processed the same business day, subject to verification and deposit validation. In the back of the check to be deposited, enter your signature, account number and the phrase “For Deposit Only at BPPR.”

3Insurance is underwritten by Chubb Insurance Company of Puerto Rico. Insurance products are offered by Popular Insurance LLC, a subsidiary of Popular, Inc. and an affiliate of Banco Popular. Popular Insurance LLC is duly authorized by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner of Puerto Rico to offer and transact insurance products and has been appointed by Chubb Insurance Company as its Authorized Representative. Popular, Inc. and Banco Popular de Puerto Rico do not offer, underwrite or issue insurance products. Chubb and Popular Insurance LLC, Popular Inc. or Banco Popular de Puerto Rico are not affiliates. Obtaining this insurance is optional and it may be canceled at any time. Banco Popular de Puerto Rico will not condition the credit decision upon the purchase of this insurance or your agreement not to obtain such insurance from an unaffiliated entity. Insurance products are not insured by the FDIC, or other government agencies; are not deposits or obligations of, nor are guaranteed by Banco Popular de Puerto Rico its subsidiaries and/or affiliates. Certain limitations, exclusions and conditions apply. For more information, refer to the Certificate of Insurance.