Although financial technology is reducing the need to make regular cash transactions, it’s also making it increasingly convenient to get cash when you need it.
Cardless ATMs allow you to perform ATM transactions via your smartphone’s bank app. They’re a convenient way to get money from your bank account if you forget your debit card or if you prefer to minimize the number of times you need to touch an ATM’s screen.
What are cardless ATMs and how do they work?
Cardless ATMs provide access to your account and allow you to withdraw cash without the need for a card. Instead, they rely on account verification via text message or a banking app on your smartphone.
There are several ways that cardless ATMs can function. Types of cardless technology include quick response (QR) codes, near-field communication (NFC), verification codes and biometric verification.
QR Codes
To use a cardless ATM with a QR code you first set the mobile withdrawal up on your banking app. The ATM will then display a QR code on the screen for you to scan with your phone before dispensing the money.
Near-field Communication (NFC)
Some services like Apple Pay use NFC, or near-field communication, technology. To use NFC at a cardless ATM, open the app on your mobile device, choose the linked bank account you want to withdraw from and tap your phone against the designated reader. To complete the transaction, the ATM will prompt you to type in your PIN (just as if you had inserted your card).
Verification codes
Using a verification code involves opening the bank’s app on your phone and selecting the type of ATM transaction you’d like to perform. The app then provides a one-time code you’ll enter at the ATM as well as your PIN. The code usually expires after a set amount of time, such as 30 minutes.
Once you enter the verification code, your transaction will take place, which can mean the ATM will dispense the amount of money you indicated you wish to withdraw.
Biometric verification
You may use biometric verification to unlock your smartphone by having it recognize your face or fingerprint. Similarly, some banks can store your biometric data so their ATMs can use them to verify your identity for future transactions. This allows you to withdraw cash or perform other functions without having to provide your card.
Pros of using cardless ATMs
1. Fewer steps involved
“Our phone is slowly becoming our wallet,” says Drew Cheneler, founder of SimpleMoneyLyfe. Some consumers don’t memorize their account information and rely on facial or fingerprint recognition to access their accounts, he says. Some cardless ATM software allows you to do the same.
2. Access to all your accounts
You might not carry all your ATM cards with you, especially if you use more than one bank. Or, you might have forgotten or lost your card. Cardless ATMs allow you to still have access to all of your accounts, which can be helpful if you are near an in-network ATM, yet don’t have the corresponding card with you, saving you from having to pay out-of-network ATM fees.
3. No need to carry a wallet
It isn’t always convenient to carry a wallet, purse or something else containing your cards. Cardless ATMs allow you to perform transactions if you have your smartphone. Another benefit of not carrying your wallet is it can reduce your chances of getting pickpocketed or robbed.
4. Security
Though they aren’t risk-free, a few features of cardless ATM withdrawals make them more secure. For starters, scammers can’t use skimmers to steal your card data because you don’t insert your card into the ATM terminal. Codes generated for cardless withdrawals are one-time use only, so it does a hacker little good to steal one. Cardless withdrawals also often require two-step authentication, so hackers wouldn’t only need to know your PIN, but they would also need to have access to your phone.
5. A more sanitary option
Cardless ATM withdrawals won’t eliminate the need to touch the ATM, yet they do cut down on contact. And the fewer touches the better, considering how many users might touch an ATM and spread germs between cleanings.
Cons of using cardless ATMs
1. Availability
Cardless ATMs aren’t available everywhere. Even if your bank provides the service and your phone is compatible with the technology, you might not find an ATM near you that’s capable of handling cardless withdrawals.
2. Compatibility
Cardless ATMs rely on smartphones to operate. If your bank utilizes an app, your phone must be compatible with that app, or you can’t use it. Furthermore, not all smartphones are compatible with cardless ATMs.
3. Phone security
Though cardless ATM transactions are generally more secure, they pose a different set of risks.
“Since bank cards are being replaced by phones, criminals will now be more enticed to target and hack your phone to mine your data, information and even change your phone and bank app settings,” says Ricardo Pina, founder of The Modest Wallet. You can help to minimize the risk by keeping your phone secure if you have banking apps installed.
Popular accounts with cardless ATM access
Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America are all compatible with Google Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay. Since cardless ATM apps from these banks work on each of these three services, they are compatible with both Android and Apple phones.
- Chase: Chase provides cardless ATM service with consumer debit cards (excluding CPC Privileges card) and business debit cards (excluding Business Associate cards).
- Wells Fargo: Wells Fargo Debit and EasyPay cards can be linked to a digital wallet and used with cardless ATMs.
- Bank of America: Contactless transactions can be made using a Bank of America debit card at all of the bank’s ATMs.
Bottom line
Cardless ATMs are a convenient, secure and more sanitary way to withdraw cash without a card. They’re also handy for emergencies — even if you don’t use them regularly. Check to see if you have a digital wallet and smartphone that’s compatible with a cardless ATM beforehand.
– Bankrate’s René Bennett contributed to an update of this story.
I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of financial technology, particularly in the realm of cardless ATMs. My expertise is grounded in practical knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of the concepts involved. Let's delve into the key aspects covered in the article:
Cardless ATMs and How They Work: Cardless ATMs provide a way to access your bank account and withdraw cash without the need for a physical card. Instead, they use various methods for account verification:
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QR Codes:
- Users set up mobile withdrawals on their banking app.
- The ATM displays a QR code for scanning with the smartphone's camera.
- Money is dispensed after the QR code is scanned.
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Near-field Communication (NFC):
- Some services, like Apple Pay, use NFC technology.
- Users open the app, choose the linked bank account, and tap the phone against the designated reader.
- A PIN is entered to complete the transaction.
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Verification Codes:
- Users open the bank's app, select the desired ATM transaction.
- The app provides a one-time code and prompts the user to enter it at the ATM, along with their PIN.
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Biometric Verification:
- Biometric data (face or fingerprint recognition) stored on the smartphone can be used to verify identity at ATMs.
- This allows users to withdraw cash or perform other functions without using a physical card.
Pros of Using Cardless ATMs:
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Fewer Steps:
- Cardless ATMs streamline transactions, relying on smartphone features like facial or fingerprint recognition.
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Access to All Accounts:
- Users can access multiple bank accounts without carrying all their physical cards.
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No Need for a Wallet:
- Convenience for users who may prefer not to carry a physical wallet, reducing the risk of theft.
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Security:
- Cardless withdrawals offer enhanced security, as skimmers can't be used, and one-time use codes and two-step authentication add layers of protection.
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Sanitary Option:
- While not touch-free, cardless ATMs reduce physical contact, contributing to a more sanitary option.
Cons of Using Cardless ATMs:
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Availability:
- Cardless ATMs may not be available everywhere, limiting accessibility.
-
Compatibility:
- Relies on smartphone compatibility and may not work with all devices.
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Phone Security:
- While generally more secure, cardless transactions pose different risks, such as potential targeting of phones by criminals.
Popular Accounts with Cardless ATM Access:
- Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America are mentioned as banks compatible with Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay, offering cardless ATM services.
In summary, cardless ATMs offer a convenient, secure, and often more sanitary alternative to traditional cash withdrawals, but users should be aware of potential limitations and security considerations.
