Are Credit Card Machines Safe? Security, Fraud Risks & Protection Explained (2026) Quick answer
Yes, modern credit card machines are highly secure. UK-approved terminals use EMV chip technology, encryption, tokenisation, and PCI-DSS compliance to protect cardholder data. While no system is 100% risk-free, card machines are considered safer than cash and magnetic stripe payments when properly maintained.
Looking for a safe and secure card machine?
Compare UK card machine providers with secure payment processing, PCI compliance, encryption and fraud protection.
Contents
Credit Card Machine Companies With a Strong Security Focus
What Layers of Security Do Credit Card Machines Have?
Security Risks and How to Mitigate Them
How to Promote Credit Card Machine Safety
How do we work?
Transparent, impartial, and data‑driven reviews made by a team of expert humans, never AI generated – here’s exactly how Compare Your Business Costs helps you find the best deals from trusted UK providers: click here
Authored by: Ally Cox (Business Technology & B2B Services Specialist 10+ Years’ Experience)
Reviewed by: James Ward (Telecoms Specialist, 12+ Years Experience)
Last Updated: May 2026
Key Takeaways
Credit card machines use multiple layers of security
EMV chip & contactless payments drastically reduce fraud
PCI-DSS compliance is mandatory for UK businesses
Risks like skimming and malware are rare but manageable
Choosing a reputable provider is the biggest safety factor
Staff training and software updates are critical
Credit Card Machine Companies With a Strong Security Focus
Provider Best for Security features Key benefits Potential drawbacks Typical UK cost
Worldpay
Established businesses, retailers, hospitality venues and higher-volume merchants wanting a recognised payment processor
PCI-certified card machines, contactless, chip & PIN, digital wallet support, fraud prevention tools and secure payment processing
One of the UK’s best-known payment providers, broad card machine range, online and in-person payment options, strong POS compatibility
Pricing can be harder to compare, contract terms may apply, not always the cheapest for low-volume sellers
Worldpay says pricing is tailored to the business, with no upfront card machine cost on some plans. Third-party reviews commonly list terminal rental around £15–£30/month + VAT, plus transaction and service fees
Strong established provider, often better suited to businesses with regular card turnover than occasional sellers
Dojo
Hospitality, cafés, restaurants, retail and SMEs needing fast, secure payments and reliable settlement
Point-to-point encryption, PCI compliance support, secure card machines, WiFi/4G connectivity and fraud protection tools
Fast payouts, modern terminals, strong hospitality fit, EPOS integrations and customer-friendly hardware
Pricing is quote-based or plan-based, may not suit very low-volume sellers, monthly costs may apply
Dojo pricing depends on plan and business profile. Dojo currently lists an Essential plan as free and Plus at £11.99/month per location, with card machine/payment costs varying by setup
Strong for growing SMEs that want modern terminals and fast, secure in-person payments
SumUp
Sole traders, market traders, mobile businesses and small businesses wanting simple, secure card payments
PCI DSS compliant products, secure contactless, chip & PIN and mobile wallet payments, no PCI service fee on standard pricing
Simple setup, no monthly fee on pay-as-you-go, low-cost hardware, clear transaction fee and easy mobile payments
Fewer advanced POS features than Square or Clover, less suitable for complex or high-volume setups
Pay-as-you-go card payments are typically 1.69% per transaction, with no monthly fee. SumUp also lists £0 PCI DSS service fee and £0 minimum monthly service charge
Good low-commitment choice for small businesses wanting secure payments without complex contracts
PayPal PayPal users, small sellers, salons, pop-ups and businesses wanting a recognisable payment brand
Secure PayPal payment processing, chip & PIN, contactless, mobile wallet support, card reader paired with the PayPal Point of Sale app
No monthly fee, simple reader setup, trusted brand, accepts major cards and mobile wallets, good for in-person small business payments
Requires a PayPal account, needs internet connection, manual and remote payment fees can be higher
PayPal Reader is currently listed from £29 excluding VAT for eligible new business users, with 1.75% per in-person transaction and no monthly fee
Useful for small businesses already using PayPal, but compare fees if you take remote or online payments
Barclaycard
Established SMEs, Barclays customers, retailers and hospitality businesses wanting a bank-backed payment provider
Secure card payment processing, chip & PIN, contactless, mobile wallet support and fraud prevention features
Recognised UK payment brand, multiple terminal options, suitable for retail and hospitality, broader payment services available
Pricing and contract terms can be less transparent, public reviews are mixed, cancellation terms should be checked carefully
Barclaycard pricing varies by product. Smartpay Anywhere is listed from £29 + VAT upfront, Barclaycard Flex from £15 + VAT/month, and Smartpay Touch from £29 + VAT/month
Strong brand recognition, but businesses should compare support, contract and total cost carefully
What Layers of Security Do Credit Card Machines Have? Payment Networks
Visa, Mastercard, and other payment networks have robust security protocols in place to monitor transactions for suspicious activity and prevent fraud attempts.
EMV Chip Technology
Chip cards contain a microchip that generates a unique code for each transaction, making it more difficult to counterfeit compared to traditional swipe cards.
PCI Compliance
Businesses using card machines are required to comply with PCI (Payment Card Industry) Data Security Standards. These standards ensure businesses maintain secure systems and processes to protect customer card information.
Security should be part of your card machine comparison Most modern card machines are designed to process payments securely, but providers can differ on support, fraud tools, PCI guidance and dispute handling and when comparing card machines, check:
PCI compliance support
encryption and fraud protection
chargeback support
provider reputation
customer support
contract terms
settlement speed
Security Risks and How to Mitigate Them
Security Risk
Skimming
Partner with reputable card machine providers that offer anti-skimming features and tamper-evident seals.
Regularly inspect card machines for any suspicious attachments or modifications.
Train staff to be aware of skimming devices and report any concerns.
Malware
Maintain up-to-date software and firmware on the card machine and point-of-sale system.
Implement strong antivirus and anti-malware software on all connected devices.
Avoid using unauthorised apps or software on the card machine system.
Data Breaches
Adhere to PCI compliance standards which mandate secure data storage and transmission practices.
Implement strong passwords and access controls for the point-of-sale system. * Train staff on cybersecurity best practices, including identifying phishing attempts and suspicious activity.
If you’re a customer…
Be aware of your surroundings and the condition of the card machine.
Never let your card out of sight during a transaction.
Review bank statements regularly and report any suspicious activity.
Consider contactless payments (if available) for added security.
If you’re a business owner:
Partner with reputable card machine providers.
Regularly update software and firmware on the card machine.
Maintain physical security of the card machine.
Train staff on security protocols and identifying suspicious activity.
FAQs: Credit Card Machine Safety 1. Are credit card machines safe to use in shops?
Yes. Modern terminals are extremely secure and safer than older swipe machines.
2. Can card machines be hacked?
It’s very unlikely. Hacking a PCI-compliant terminal is far harder than online fraud.
3. Is contactless payment safer than Chip & PIN?
Yes. Contactless uses tokenisation and device authentication, reducing risk further.
4. What is PCI compliance and why does it matter?
PCI compliance ensures businesses follow strict rules to protect card data.
5. Who is responsible if fraud happens?
Liability usually falls on the least secure party, modern terminals protect businesses.
6. Are mobile card readers secure?
Yes, as long as they’re from reputable providers and kept up to date.
Choose a secure card machine for your business
A safe card machine should protect both your business and your customers. Compare trusted UK providers and find a secure payment solution that suits your budget.
Here is a Handy Youtube Video About Whether Credit Card Machines Are Safe
👉 Compare quotes to find your cheapest deal
👉 Not sure which card machine is right for your business? Compare quotes in 30 seconds and save up to 40%
Related card machine guides Explore more of our UK card machine guides, provider reviews and comparison pages below.
Card machine buying guides
How card machines work
Types of card machines and payment terminals
Card machines by business type
Card machine provider reviews
Card machine comparisons
Compare Card Machine Quotes Now
✔ Save up to 40% on fees
✔ Compare leading UK providers
✔ Free, no-obligation quotes
👉 Compare the Best Card Machines
Hi, I’m Ally Cox , a senior copywriter and blogger at CompareYourBusinessCosts.co.uk, the UK’s trusted platform for comparing business services.over a decade of experience in the B2B sector, I specialise in simplifying complex topics like leased lines, VoIP, business energy, HR and payroll solutions, accounting software, and EPOS systems .HR, copywriting, and business operations- from clocking-in systems to card machines and office technology .informed, confident decisions when choosing products and services that improve efficiency and save money.
