Lincolnshire resident Roger Wicks, 62, has voiced his discontent about the predominance of contactless payments, billing it as a coercion by businesses that only accept this form of payment. Wicks articulated his chagrin following a recent encounter at Waterside Shopping Centre in Lincoln. The public toilets there have mandated a 20p contactless payment since April, which barred him from utilising them. While he doesn’t oppose the charge, he is concerned about the absence of diverse payment options, asserting that this infringes upon principles of inclusivity and democracy. “Our access to basic amenities such as toilets is being hindered because businesses want everything to be contactless,” commented Wicks. This issue has a particular impact on senior citizens, as highlighted by a report from Age UK which underscored the crucial role that cash plays for this demographic. Other locals from Lincoln, such as Bill Draycott, have also expressed their preference for cash over contactless payment due to fear of potential scams. On the other hand, some residents like Ben Whitfield-Heap and Helen Lloyd appreciate the convenience offered by contactless payment. Even as the debate keeps raging, banking experts match the convenience of contactless methods with security, assuring minimal instances of fraud in the past ten years.
This narrative was adapted by The Lincoln Post from an initial report by www.bbc.com.
