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Contactless payment 'could place data at risk'

02 February 2011

Introducing contactless payments may raise new risks regarding data security, it has been suggested.

A spokesman for Equifax noted the threat of identity fraud could increase as a result of such systems and advised mobile phone users to increase their vigilance.

Neil Monroe explained handsets now carry a large amount of personal information and advised individuals to "adopt the same sort of level of security as they would do with a laptop".

His remarks come after Orange revealed it is preparing to launch its contactless payment services in 2011, with its stores being adapted to handle purchases made by mobile phone.

The company is working with Barclaycard to roll out the technology to its Everything Everywhere customers.

Mr Monroe noted providers will be keen to ensure risks are reduced as far as possible, adding: "I'm sure a lot of mobile phone providers are very aware of these security risks and will be making sure that they are pretty robust."

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