We’re just two weeks away from a major contactless payment card shake-up. The £100 spending cap is set to be scrapped.

From March 19, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will remove the current per-transaction limit, giving banks and customers the power to set their own maximum, or no cap at all. In practice, it means you could soon pay for a £200 supermarket shop or a £300 appliance with a single tap of your card or phone. The change is designed to offer greater flexibility, with the financial watchdog citing contactless payments as Brits’ favourite way to pay.

Barclays’ research found that almost 95% of eligible in-store card transactions were contactless in 2024. However, the new rules come with some obvious risks.

After the contactless limit was raised to £100 in 2021, fraud on tap-and-go cards more than doubled, according to industry data.

With the ceiling disappearing altogether, the potential losses if a card is lost or stolen are even higher. The world is becoming increasingly automated, for better and for worse (and don’t get me started on the infuriating chatbots or automated phone systems, which get you nowhere), but while we navigate it, there are a few ways to keep yourself – and your debit card – safer.

1. You could use an RFID-blocking wallet or purse, which uses materials to block radio waves and shield cards from unauthorised scanners. They look the same as normal money holders, just with that added protective material stitched into the lining
2. Avoid keeping bank cards in places where they can be easily swiped from
3. Don’t let your card leave your sight when paying for anything
4. Monitoring your account is just as important. Most banking apps let you switch on instant payment notifications, flagging every tap in real time. If something looks suspicious, you can report it to your bank immediately
5. For budgeting purposes, or if you’re still concerned about the lack of a cap, you will be able to set your own by logging in to online banking and navigating to card controls.

Rest assured, the removal of the cap on contactless payments is permitted only for banks and payment providers that have demonstrated strong fraud-prevention measures.

Crucially, all existing consumer protection measures remain in effect – the FCA requires banks to reimburse customers in cases of unauthorised fraud, for instance, if their card is lost or stolen.

Prezzo is offering a raft of deals for those celebrating Mother’s Day on Sunday, March 15.

You can get a two-course set menu for £25.95, a complimentary glass of prosecco for mum on arrival, and a £10 voucher for all mother figures dining on the day or to use during the next visit.

Book before 11.30am and every adult at the table will get a free glass of fizz.

More than half of adults aged over 55 are missing a vital document that could save people time, money, and a headache in later life – a will.

Without one, the law decides who inherits your belongings, not you. That can mean long delays, disputes, and in some cases, large chunks of your wealth ending up with HMRC due to a lack of tax-efficient planning.

The good news is that in March, this demographic can have one drafted for free.

The campaign, Free Wills Month, has been running since 2005 and means some of the UK’s favourite charities work with local solicitors to help people write or update their wills without paying a penny.

These charities pay for a limited number of wills in a bid to encourage more people to leave charitable gifts in them, although there is no obligation to do so.

The offer is open to anyone aged 55 or over, and, in the case of a couple making mirror wills, it is sufficient if one of them has reached 55.

All you need to do is call one of the participating solicitors, listed on freewillsmonth.org.uk, before 5pm on March 31.

Some of the 24 charities involved include Age UK, the British Heart Foundation, Mind, and Dogs Trust.

Appointments are limited and can fill up quickly, so it’s recommended to call to book sooner rather than later to avoid missing out.