Contactless payment: THIS is the reason why you should NEVER use the new

Dominic Littlewood, 51, admitted he never uses contactless payment systems due to doubts over its security.

Speaking to Express.co.uk, the Cowboy Traders presenter said: “Card scanning can be done from within 15 centimetres of your bank card.

“There are ways around being scammed in this way – for instance I never use touch payments and I always insist on using my PIN.

“This way, if a payment comes up on my statement that I don’t think was me, when I contact the bank they can see if it was made using contactless or with a PIN.

“If it was contactless, which I never use, I know it wasn’t me, and crucially, so do the bank. Otherwise in this situation, it is just your word against the bank.”

On their website, the UK card association said contactless is perfectly safe – and most Brits don’t trust a shop without contactless payments. Addressing concerns over fraudsters stealing details from a contactless card, they said: “You have to be extremely close to someone for their gadget to be able to read your card – and even then all they would ever get is the card number and expiry date.

“That’s the same information you see by simply looking at the front of any card.

“There’s no way anyone can get the security code on the back of the card, your name and address, or bank account details.

“The vast majority of online retailers require additional details like these and others to make a purchase.”

However, despite constant headlines about cyber crime, Dominic advised it is still important to be aware of physical crime too.

The 51-year-old said: “Cyber crime is on the increase but it does take a level of intelligence – so there will always be physical robbery as this can be done by any yob on a motorbike.

“Don’t walk with your phone in your hand – there has been a huge rise in snatch and grab thefts, particularly involving people on mopeds.

“Keep your phone in your pockets and keep an eye on what is happening around you. Women should keep a good grip on their handbag too.”

Many women are very aware of their surroundings when walking alone – with some holding their keys in their hands to use as protection if necessary.

Dominic did not think this was a bad idea, and said: “If you do carry your keys like this, I wouldn’t worry about it at all, as no court in the land is going to convict you of assault for protecting yourself using your keys if someone tries to rob or assault you.

“However arming yourself further, for example with a hammer or a knife, would result in a conviction, so definitely don’t do that.”

Recent research by home insurer Together Mutual Insurance found one in five UK homeowners communicated with neighbours using social media as a way to be aware of any security risks in their area.

Dominic advised this was a great idea – and urged other homeowners to do the same.

He said: “WhatsApp is one of the best ways to stay in touch with your neighbours, as you are all in the group looking after each others interests.

“It is the opposite to a global, open group where anyone can access your information – you should know everyone in the group.”

Homeowners in particular are concerned about recent police cuts and what this could mean for safety in their area.

Discussing this issue, Dominic said: “People are forming social groups in their communities – if you know something is going on you can warn people about it.

“That will help the police – we can become the eyes and ears for each other.

“Messaging each other in private groups can also become a social thing – it does not just have to be used to discuss crime, it can be good for helping elderly people in the area when they need it and generally looking out for each other.”

Dominic’s tips for simple and effective security:

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