Presto Card Users! Warning!

unassuming

Well-known member
Feb 11, 2017
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Used my Presto card recently, I check my Credit card balance daily, and was shocked to see that I was charged the presto fare on my account. I called Presto to have charge reversed, apparently with this new credit, debit card pay system, the Presto tap unit can charge the card within close range of it. I may have to wrap my wallet in tin foil.
 
Used my Presto card recently, I check my Credit card balance daily, and was shocked to see that I was charged the presto fare on my account. I called Presto to have charge reversed, apparently with this new credit, debit card pay system, the Presto tap unit can charge the card within close range of it. I may have to wrap my wallet in tin foil.

I always pull my Presto card out of my wallet to tap.
Wallet in 1 hand and tap with the other. Wallet never gets close to card reader.
 
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I always pull my Presto card out of my wallet to tap.
Wallet in 1 hand and tap with the other. Wallet never gets close to card reader.
I took my presto card out of wallet before I left home, wallet was in my back pocket as I tapped the Presto on the presto unit, presto wasn’t put back into wallet until I got home, wallet never left my back pocket through day.
 
I took my presto card out of wallet before I left home, wallet was in my back pocket as I tapped the Presto on the presto unit, presto wasn’t put back into wallet until I got home, wallet never left my back pocket through day.

WOW. Readers are sensitive. That's an issue Metrolinx needs to look into or they can expect a lot of these calls.
Did they reverse the charges ?
 
WOW. Readers are sensitive. That's an issue Metrolinx needs to look into or they can expect a lot of these calls.
Did they reverse the charges ?
Yes, Presto rep said that it happens frequently.
 
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Question: Does Presto keep track of the "2 hour" window so you don't get charged again? (I always grab a transfer ticket so never tested the Presto card on the 2 hour window)
 
It's dumb that Presto doesn't have a hole where you can attach a lanyard like many office door badges. To get around this issue, I put my card into a plastic badge holder with a lanyard. This makes things so much easier because I don't have to take the card in or out of my wallet and no chance of dropping it.

Presto recently rolled out tap to pay on phones so you don't really need the card anymore. I think it works with smart watches too.

The downside is that it only works for adult fares. So seniors and students still need to use their physical card.
 
Do you guys register your Presto card? I lost mine once and then found it months later under the dining table. I don't register the card because "they" can track your movement.
 
Do you guys register your Presto card? I lost mine once and then found it months later under the dining table. I don't register the card because "they" can track your movement.

If you have a lot of money on your card, then it's probably worth it to register your card. The easiest way around this is not loading too much money on your card. That way if the card gets lost or stolen, you won't lose too much money.

"They" can already track your movement between bus, subway or train stops regardless if your card is registered or not. The TTC can only track where you started your trip. Is this honestly too big of a privacy invasion for you?

If you're really worried about this "problem" then buy your fare with cash at a vending machines.
 
I only put enough on my card to cover the cost of the trip + maybe another extra $5.
If I lose my card no biggy like @explorezip mentioned.
 
What is a Presto card?

Transit payment system for all GTA systems. Once the TTC gets on board in February you can transfer between different systems but only pay one fare. You can set up auto reload of funds to it once it hits a certain low threshold. Very convenient.
 
I only put enough on my card to cover the cost of the trip + maybe another extra $5.
If I lose my card no biggy like @explorezip mentioned.

I just set mine to 100 balance, reload at 20. That way funds are always there. Card sits in my phone case, and that it always in a safe place on me.