Contactless Technology F A Qs

Get answers to frequently asked questions about near-field communication (NFC) payment methods and how this new process can make your next purchase or payment more convenient.

For Credit Cards, call 1-866-279-0888
For Retail Debit Cards, call 1-800-724-2440
For Business Debit Cards, call 1-800-724-6070

What is a Contactless Card?

​The enhanced M&T Bank Visa Contactless Card now contains a near-field communication (NFC) antenna which enables close-range payments. In addition to the insert Europay, MasterCard and Visa (EMV®) functionality you have grown used to, you can now “tap and go” with your card at a merchant terminal with the corresponding contactless symbol . 

Our cards contain both a contactless antenna and an EMV chip for your convenience. The difference is in the way you interact at the terminal. With a contactless card, you simply “tap” your card on the contactless symbol   and the transaction is processed within 1-2 seconds.

You can make contactless payments with your M&T Bank Visa Contactless Card anywhere you see the contactless symbol   on a payment terminal. Simply tap or hold your card near the contactless symbol   at checkout. The contactless indicator   on your card should be within 1-2 inches of the contactless checkout terminal.

Look for the contactless indicator   on your card to know if your card has the technology to make contactless payments.

Look for the Contactless Symbol   on the payment terminal at millions of participating merchants worldwide.

​Like chip technology, contactless technology helps protect your payment information against fraud and can be used anywhere within the U.S. or abroad to make purchases at merchants that accept card payments. The contactless transactions process within seconds without the card ever leaving your hand allowing you to just “tap and go”.

No. Your card is enabled with the EMV chip so you can continue to insert your card at the terminal.

Yes. M&T Visa Debit and Credit Cards will still be enabled with an EMV chip. If a merchant does not support contactless transactions, you can continue to insert your card using the EMV chip. If a merchant does not support any chip transactions, the card will continue to have the traditional magnetic strip on the back, enabling you to use it at merchants who do not yet have a chip-enabled terminal.

​Yes. M&T Bank Visa® Debit and Credit Cards are accepted anywhere Visa is accepted.

Yes. We recommend that you notify us before you travel so your card access isn’t interrupted.

The functionality of the contactless card will be very similar to the experience of the payWave cards, but since your new contactless M&T Credit or Debit card contains chip technology, payments are more secure and cards are more difficult to counterfeit.

No. All debit and credit cards will be issued with contactless technology.

Contactless payments use short-range wireless technology to complete payments between a contactless card or payment-enabled device and a contactless-enabled checkout terminal. Similar to the EMV chip, contactless payments use encrypted technology.

For every contactless transaction, a transaction-specific, one-time code is created that helps secure the cardholder’s payment information.  The code cannot be re-used by fraudsters even if they were to get ahold of it. The information would be useless to them; therefore a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) blocking sleeve or wallet isn’t necessary.

No additional fees apply – please refer to your cardholder agreement for standard card fees.

You may load your contactless card to any digital wallet that accepts M&T cards for payment.

Use of these features and services requires Internet and/or data access through a computer or mobile device. Subject to availability and the same limitations as any service available through the Internet. M&T Bank is not responsible for matters that are outside of its reasonable control that might impact availability and functionality. M&T Bank reserves the right to suspend service for any reason at any time. Your mobile carrier's text messaging and data charges may apply. Fees may apply for optional services provided through M&T Online Banking. View the M&T Digital Services Agreement for additional details.

​Just like any time you get a new card, activate the card by calling the number found on the sticker. If you have recurring payments set up, ensure that merchants have the correct card number, expiration date and the 3-digit security code – as well as, update your digital wallet (i.e. Apple Pay) with your latest card information.

If you don't have an M&T debit or credit card with contactless technology today, you will receive one when your old card expires or needs to be reissued. If you would like the new functionality sooner, you can:

  • Log in to Online Banking and select Order a Replacement Card from the Services Menu (personal banking customers)
  • Log in to the M&T Mobile App, select Card Services from the Menu, and select Order a Replacement Card (personal banking customers)
  • Call 1-800-724-2440 (personal banking customers), 1-866-279-0888 (credit card customers), or 1-800-724-6070 (business banking customers)
  • Visit your local branch

​If you are prompted for a pin when using your contactless card, you will enter the same pin you would use if you were to use the EMV chip or magnetic strip.

If your contactless card is lost or stolen, you should immediately report the incident:

  • Log in to Online Banking and select Report a Lost or Stolen Card from the Services Menu (personal banking customers)
  • Log in to the M&T Mobile App, select Card Services from the Menu, and select Report a Lost or Stolen Card (personal banking customers)
  • Call 1-800-724-1552
  • Visit your local branch

We’ll disable your old card to help prevent any further activity or usage and then issue you a new one right away. And because you bank with M&T, you won’t be liable for any fraudulent charges, thanks to our M&T Assurance® program.

No. Contactless card technology is not a locator system. The antenna in your card is limited to supporting the authentication of card data.

For credit cards, call 1-866-279-0888 (Mon–Fri 6am–9pm and Sat–Sun 9am–5pm ET). For retail debit cards, call 1-800-724-2440 or business cards, call 1-800-724-6070 (Mon–Fri 6am–9pm and Sat–Sun 9am–5pm ET) for more information.

No. Contactless technology requires the merchant to first initiate the payment and then the contactless card or payment-enabled device must be held in close proximity (1 - 2 inches) to the terminal for a transaction to take place.

EMV® is a registered trademark or trademark of EMVCo LLC in the United States and other countries.
​The Contactless Symbol and Contactless Indicator are trademarks owned by and used with permission of EMVCo, LLC. 
Apple®, the Apple logo, iPhone®, Apple Pay, Touch ID® and Face ID® are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. 
Visa and Visa Checkout are registered trademarks owned by Visa International Service Association and used under license. M&T Bank is not responsible for services provided by Visa Checkout.
Unless otherwise specified, all advertised offers and terms and conditions of accounts and services are subject to change at any time without notice. After an account is opened or service begins, it is subject to its features, conditions and terms, which are subject to change at any time in accordance with applicable laws and agreements. Please contact an M&T representative for details.