Contactless Cards

A contactless card is a credit or debit card which enables close-range transactions. Contactless cards also come with a chip and magnetic stripe, so you can insert your card or use the magnetic stripe if a terminal is not yet contactless- (or chip-) enabled.

When a debit or credit card has the contactless feature, it can be tapped or held near a contactless-enabled merchant terminal. Encrypted card information is then sent using near field communication (NFC) technology between the card and the contactless reader on the terminal. In addition, Wells Fargo debit cards can be tapped near the Contactless Symbol on any Wells Fargo ATM for ATM access.

When your contactless purchase is completed, the merchant terminal will usually light up or prompt you for any further steps.

1. Hold your card within 1–2 inches of the Contactless Symbol on the terminal.
2. Tap or hold your card flat over the Contactless Symbol, facing up, when prompted by the cashier or terminal. Some merchants may ask you to sign for the purchase, or to enter your PIN.
3. Your payment should be completed in seconds.

Helpful hint: tap only one contactless card or mobile device near the Contactless Symbol at a time. If the contactless reader picks up more than one signal from cards in your wallet and/or your digital wallet, the terminal may ask you to try again to be sure it only processes payment from the card you intend to use.

Wells Fargo ATMs: You can use a contactless debit card plus your PIN to tap for access at any Wells Fargo ATM. If you wish, you can insert your contactless debit card anytime for access at Wells Fargo and non-Wells Fargo ATMs that display the Visa^® or Plus^® logos.

Non-Wells Fargo ATMs: Currently, most non-Wells Fargo ATMs are not enabled to provide “tap” access for Wells Fargo contactless cards or digital wallets. Other banks manage their ATMs differently, so you may or may not be able to tap at another bank’s ATM even if the Contactless Symbol is present. It is possible that other ATM providers will provide this access in the future.

Yes, your contactless card also has a chip and magnetic stripe. You can use your contactless card by inserting it into chip-enabled terminals or ATMs, and use the contactless card’s magnetic stripe at terminals that are not yet chip or contactless-enabled.

Generally, your signature is not required for a contactless transaction. However, the merchant may have their own requirements and you may be asked to sign or enter your PIN to complete your purchase.

When your contactless purchase is completed, the merchant terminal will usually light up or prompt you for any further steps.

Yes, you can use your contactless credit or debit card while traveling outside of the U.S. at merchants who accept contactless card payments. Generally, you also will have the option of inserting or swiping your card.

For debit card please refer to your Wells Fargo debit card terms and conditions to review the fees associated with international transactions. For credit card please refer to the credit card terms and conditions for your Wells Fargo Credit Card to review the fees associated with transactions converted to U.S. dollars.

Transit systems in key metropolitan areas are beginning to accept bank-issued contactless cards, and more systems are expected to adopt contactless payments over the next few years in the U.S.

In addition, there are a number of transit systems in cities outside the U.S. that accept contactless payments.

Some transit systems have integrated bank contactless cards and mobile devices into their discounted programs, but others have not yet done so. Discounts for multiple rides, for example, will depend on the transit system. Please check the transit system fare information.

Some transit systems will group multiple rides into one payment per day, which they send to Wells Fargo for processing. They do not provide us with the information about individual rides that result in the charge. Please inquire with the transit system for more information.

Yes. You can use your Wells Fargo contactless card on any transit system that accepts contactless card payments. Just tap your Wells Fargo contactless card at the appropriate locations and you’re on your way.

Please check that your card or account are in good standing, as your transaction could be declined for a transit ride due to account status, system problems, or other reasons. Contact Wells Fargo at the number on the back of your card regarding the status of your account or other questions about a transaction.

If your card or account are in good standing, please contact the transit system’s customer service for assistance.

If you tapped twice, please check your Wells Fargo transaction history or statement using the mobile app or online banking to ensure only one transaction was accepted. If you feel a transaction was charged erroneously, please submit a dispute by calling the customer service number on the back of your card, or using online banking.

In the Account Activity page online, you can select the “+” sign for more details about each transaction. There is a field labeled “Transaction Method.” You will be able to see if the transaction was completed by “card tapped,” “card inserted,” or “card swiped.”

Wells Fargo Credit Cards

• Consumer credit cards: New consumer credit card customers and current customers who are reissued a card will receive a card with the contactless feature. You can request a contactless card by calling the number on the back of your current card and asking for a replacement card.
• Business credit cards: Business credit contactless cards are not available at this time. More information to come.

Wells Fargo Debit Cards

• Debit cards: Contactless cards are available in all states served by Wells Fargo for new and replacement card situations for the following card types:
  • Consumer debit cards
  • Business debit cards
  • WELLS FARGO PREMIER DEBIT CARD
  • Wells Fargo Advisors debit
  • The Private Bank debit
  • Campus Affinity debit
    

You can request a contactless card by calling the number on the back of your current card and asking for a replacement card.

Wells Fargo only offers debit cards and consumer credit cards with the contactless feature. You can continue to insert your card's chip at chip-enabled terminals, or swipe the magnetic stripe, if you do not wish to use the contactless feature.

When you receive your new contactless card, some of the numbers will be different. If the contactless card is replacing a debit or credit card that was about to expire or was damaged, your card number may remain the same but your expiration date and security code will change. If your card is being replaced because it was reported lost or stolen, or was compromised, the card number, expiration date, and security code will change.

Consumer credit card

Your contactless consumer credit card will have the Contactless Indicator on the back, letting you know that it is set up to make contactless payments. Otherwise, the card design is the same as your chip card.

If you have customized your credit card using the Card Design Studio^® service, your contactless credit card will be issued with the same photo or image you selected. Also, you will see the Contactless Indicator on the back.

Consumer debit and business debit

Your new card will:

• Show the Contactless Indicator on the back, letting you know that it is ready to make contactless payments.
• Display your card information (like card number and expiration date) on the card back. (The display of your information has been enhanced to make it easier to read and more durable, by printing your name and account details on the card instead of embossing.)

If you have customized your consumer debit card using the Card Design Studio^® service, your contactless card will:

• Be issued with the same photo or image you selected.
• Have the Contactless Indicator on the front.
• Continue to display your card information on the front of the card, using a more durable “flat” printing instead of the traditional embossed format.

Contactless cards come with chip technology, which provides added security when the card is tapped or inserted at a contactless or chip-enabled merchant terminal or ATM. Each time you insert or tap your card at a chip or contactless-enabled terminal, encrypted card data is sent to the terminal to process your transaction. This technology better protects you against counterfeit card fraud, and gives you a more secure experience during your transaction. As a reminder, your card comes with Wells Fargo's fraud monitoring and Zero Liability protection.

No. A card must be inserted or tapped at a chip- or contactless-enabled terminal to take advantage of the enhanced security these features provide compared to the magnetic stripe.

Today’s contactless cards with chip technology use a secure microprocessor that generates a unique cryptographic code that changes for every transaction. The contactless technology has an ultra-short read range, so it is unlikely that card information can be captured from your card when using the contactless feature.

To help protect against fraud, merchants who process transactions made via phone call, mail or online should use secondary security measures such as asking for the 3-digit code imprinted on the back of the Visa card (4-digit code on the front of an AMEX card), and implementing extra layers of security such as address or ZIP code verification. None of this information can be read electronically from the card.

Contact us right away if your card is lost or stolen.

Sign on to Wells Fargo Online^® or sign on to your Wells Fargo Mobile^® app to request a replacement card. Or contact us by phone.

For personal debit cards: Call us at 1-800-869-3557.

For business debit cards: Call us at 1-800-225-5935.

No, your contactless card cannot be used to track your location.

Contactless technology is one layer of security to help prevent your Wells Fargo contactless card from being fraudulently used for transactions you make in person. The chip and contactless technology cannot reduce certain types of fraud that may occur, including, but not limited to, fraudulent web and phone purchases. Whether you tap, insert, or swipe, your card comes with 24/7 fraud monitoring and Zero Liability protection at no extra cost.

A contactless card will have the Contactless Indicator printed on it, either on the back or the front of the card.

The Contactless Indicator is displayed on a debit or credit card when the card has been enabled to make contactless transactions. A contactless card has a chip and near field communication (NFC) technology, so it can be used for secure close-range payments at terminals enabled for contactless payments.

The Contactless Symbol indicates that the merchant terminal is enabled to process payments by contactless cards, or by using your mobile device with a digital wallet. You can tap or hold your contactless card near the Contactless Symbol on the checkout terminal to make a contactless transaction.

A contactless card offers

• Convenience when making purchases: Contactless cards are fast, easy, and speed up your checkout experience. Merchants across the U.S. are increasingly able to accept contactless cards for payment. Plus, as transit agencies across the U.S. start to accept contactless cards at their terminals and turnstiles over the next several years, you’ll have even more places to take advantage of this feature.
• Convenience when accessing Wells Fargo ATMs: Contactless debit cards provide quick “tap” access (plus card PIN) at any Wells Fargo ATM.
• Protection: When you tap, your contactless card uses the advanced encryption and safeguards provided by the chip on your card.

No, the contactless feature is included at no additional cost.