Recently, on a tangentially-related post I made over at the popular culture blog, Blogcritics.org, the comments turned to RFID-enabled, contactless payment systems.

A reader there asked an interesting question about consumer liability for the MasterCard PayPass if it is stolen, etc. I thought readers here might also want to know the answer.

I reproduce the related thread here (for the rest, go over to Blogcritics):

• Comment 12: MasterCard is already in the process of rolling out a contactless payment system using RFID chips.
  
  The RFID chip could be embedded in a credit card, a key fob, or a cell phone. Then all you'd need to do is pass the card, fob or phone near an RFID reader and voila! Your credit card account would be automatically charged for the purchase. No swiping, no signing, no entering a PIN number.
  
  Check out this story about Mastercard's new payment system.
• Comment 13: And what if someone steals my phone, card, etc.? They don't even have to authenticate their use of my stuff to steal from me?
• Comment 14: BHW, I asked the MasterCard spokesperson your question, and got this fast response:
  
  "Hello Anita,
  
  MasterCard PayPass transactions are just as safe as, if not more safe than, traditional card payment transactions, as the PayPass feature incorporates special security technology to prevent "replay" fraud when a PayPass program is implemented as recommended by MasterCard. MasterCard PayPass also provides more consumer control, since the card doesn't have to leave the hands of the consumer to be swiped by the merchant. Also, MasterCard PayPass provides zero consumer liability in North America, just like all MasterCard payment programs.
  
  Hope this helps."