Virgin Money joins the tap and go revolution

Virgin Money is joining the contactless credit card "tap and go" revolution enabling customers to pay for items worth up to £15 just by swiping their plastic.

All two million cards across the banking group's market-leading range will be replaced with cards containing contactless technology allowing customers to pay for items without entering their PIN.

The move comes ahead of a major expansion of the technology across the UK with leading retailers including Boots, the Co-Op and Little Chef announcing plans to install terminals.

Around one in five credit and debit cards will be enabled for "tap and go" by the end of this year with Virgin Money introducing the technology from 25 October across its range.

Customers pay for items worth £15 or less simply by holding their card against a scanner in stores. The system speeds up queues and is secure as customers have the same protection against fraud as with existing CHIP and PIN technology.

Grant Bather of Virgin Money said: "Contactless payment is fast, secure and convenient enabling customers to cut down time queuing."

When customers first receive the card they need to make an initial CHIP and PIN transaction in order to activate the technology.

And to further enhance security they will occasionally be asked to enter their PIN. Cards can be used as normal if retailers do not have contactless terminals installed.