09/02/2026
SHOULD YOU TAP OR SWIPE YOUR CARD?
When a card’s magnetic strip is swiped, it communicates tons of static data to the terminal. If that terminal is hacked or has a skimmer attached, the data collected from it is exactly the card’s data and can be used.
If you insert a chip card, the data is encrypted instead. The data encryption on cards means that the data that passes through the payment terminal is usable only ONCE. If the credentials were attempted a second time, the transaction would fail, making it far more difficult for criminals to steal card credentials. However, chips still require physical insertion and can still be exposed to manipulated terminals. And oftentimes, when chip readers fail or chips wear out, members resort to swiping like the good ol’ days.
Tapping your card has the benefit of encryption like a chip-dip with a bit more convenience and physical protection for your card. Not to mention it keeps the card in your hands and out of sight.
Tap to Pay is one more way that Envista takes our members' security seriously.