Blackhawk Network, a leading payments provider, has announced plans to introduce enhanced secure contactless advancements for physical gift cards through its Tap to Pay Visa Gift Card.
In order to boost security measures, the new card will be packaged in tamper-evident packaging and will not contain any human-readable data elements such as account numbers, CVV codes, or magnetic stripes. Consumers can access their funds by using the tap-to-pay feature at contactless terminals or through the MyCardWallet app.
Availability and Timing
The Tap to Pay Visa Gift Card will be available for purchase starting from early summer 2025, particularly in specific locations.
Blackhawk Network’s officials state that the launch of this card is driven by a growing consumer demand for secure yet convenient checkout experiences. Research has indicated that contactless payment methods are favored by many users, with Visa data showing over 60% of US in-person transactions now being contactless.
Enhanced Security and Convenience
The Visa network, which includes more than 150 million merchant locations worldwide, supports the Tap to Pay feature. To use the funds via the MyCardWallet app, users need to tap their gift card onto a mobile device to launch the app and add it for in-store or online purchases.
- Users can easily check balance and transaction history within the app, along with other servicing features.
- The app allows customers to request unique or dedicated account numbers, CVV codes, and expiration dates for e-commerce transactions that do not accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.
- Additional security is provided through authentication using an Apple ID or a Google ID.
The Tap to Pay Visa Gift Card is part of Blackhawk Network’s broader BHN Protect fraud prevention programme. The company aims to provide robust protection against both in-store and online gift card fraud.