\n Contactless payments have become the norm in Spain\u2019s supermarkets, but shoppers should be aware of the latest advice from the Bank of Spain about receipts and card security.
\nCredit : Dusan Petkovic, Shutterstock <\/p>\n
Since the pandemic, paying by card in Spain has become second nature. Most of us simply tap and go- often using our phones, with the physical card rarely seeing daylight. It\u2019s quick, it\u2019s easy, and it\u2019s everywhere, especially in supermarkets.<\/strong><\/p>\n But this week, the Bank of Spain<\/a> has stepped in with a sharp warning for shoppers who rely on their cards for everyday purchases. If you\u2019re one of the millions who skips paper receipts and trusts your payment has sailed through, it might be time to pay a little more attention at the till.<\/p>\n Do you really need that receipt? The bank of Spain\u2019s take<\/p>\n Most of us automatically say \u2018no, thanks\u2019 when the cashier asks if we want a copy of the card payment slip, especially for those small amounts. Who needs more paper cluttering up their wallet? Still, some people like to keep them, just in case there\u2019s a mix-up or a refund to chase.<\/p>\n But according to Spain\u2019s top banking authority, holding onto your card slip is no longer essential. The Bank of Spain says you\u2019re better off checking the display on the payment terminal at the point of sale, especially with contactless payments under \u20ac50, where you might not even be asked for your PIN.<\/p>\n What\u2019s really vital, experts say, is holding onto the main till receipt. If there\u2019s ever a query over the transaction, that\u2019s the bit of paper you\u2019ll want.<\/p>\n Card or cash? The Bank\u2019s warning about ATMs<\/p>\n The Bank of Spain hasn\u2019t stopped at receipts. There\u2019s another area where they\u2019re urging consumers to be extra careful: withdrawing cash<\/a>.<\/p>\n Many of us still like to have a few notes in our pocket just in case. But have you noticed those pesky commission charges creeping up when you use a cash machine<\/a>? Spain\u2019s banking authority says you absolutely need to pay close attention to the screen when withdrawing money.<\/p>\n \u201cAlways check what the ATM tells you,\u201d the Bank warns. If there\u2019s a fee, the machine is legally required to warn you, clearly showing the amount you\u2019ll be charged before you collect your cash. The key detail? The fee may depend on whether your bank actually owns the cashpoint or if it\u2019s run by a different bank.<\/p>\n If the warning pops up and you don\u2019t like the look of the fee, you can always cancel the transaction\u2014no harm done.<\/p>\n So, what should you do at the supermarket checkout?<\/p>\n The Bank of Spain\u2019s message is clear. Tap-and-go might be convenient, but a little extra vigilance can save you headaches later. Don\u2019t get caught out by assuming everything\u2019s gone through perfectly, take those few extra seconds to make sure.<\/p>\n\n