- sQuid help
- How do I register?
- How do I top up?
- What does "To collect" mean?
- How do I pay with sQuid?
- What is a purse?
- Logging in troubleshooting
- I've lost my card
- How do I replace a sQuid smart card?
- FAQs
- Contact us
How can we help?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you need help using your sQuid account or the sQuid web site then please check the Frequently Asked Questions below.
About sQuid >
How to get sQuid >
Using sQuid >
My sQuid account >
Refunds >
sQuid Security >
About sQuid
What is a sQuidcard?
sQuidcards are smart cards that hold electronic money (eMoney). The sQuid network uses the internet, smart cards and digital stored value systems to transfer funds.
What is a eMoney?
eMoney is electronic money, which is also referred to as e-money, electronic cash, electronic currency, digital money, digital cash or digital currency, where value is exchanged electronically.
How does sQuid work?
sQuid uses the latest contactless card technology. Each card has a unique security number that is linked to a specific eMoney account. When you make a purchase, the card reader scans the encrypted code and will either accept or reject the payment, depending on the available funds. This all takes less than three seconds.
Is a sQuidcard like a bank debit card or credit card?
No - to use a sQuidcard you must pre-load money onto the card. You can do this via our secure online portal, (simply login to your account and follow the instructions) or in a shop with a sQuid terminal. You do not need a PIN to use a sQuidcard.
Can I get into debt with a sQuidcard?
No - it is a prepaid payment system. You can only spend what you have loaded on to the card.
How many different type of sQuidcard are there?
sQuid is available on a sQuidcard and also on third party partner cards, such as the Bolton Council Smart cards; the Citizen card and BSmart card.
What is a sQuid affiliated scheme partner?
sQuid can be added to other scheme partner cards, for example sQuid may be added to a Council card, school card or travel card, to enable you to pay for small value items. sQuid may issue loyalty cards on behalf of a retailer or other type of scheme partner. All of these partners are defined as sQuid affiliates or sQuid affiliated scheme partners.
How to get sQuid
How much does it cost?
It is free to get a sQuidcard.
Can sQuid be added to other cards?
sQuid can be used as an eMoney purse on Council Smart Cards, for example the Bolton Smart card (BSmart) or on transit cards, such as the GMPTE travel cards.
I don’t have a bank account, can I still use a sQuid card?
Yes - you can load your card by exchanging cash at any retail outlet that accepts sQuidcard. You don’t need to have a bank account to use sQuid.
How do I get a sQuidcard?
To get a sQuidcard click here.
When will I receive my card?
We aim to get your card to you within three working days after receiving your request.
Using sQuid
I have received my card - how do I activate it?
If you register your card with sQuid you can top it up online via our secure online portal, your balance is then protected so if you lose your card we can cancel it and transfer the funds over to a new card for you. Alternatively you can use your card anonymously, to begin simply take your card to a shop which accepts sQuid and ask to top up, they will then take your cash and load it onto your card for you.
How much can I spend with my sQuid card?
Your transactions can be as small as you like or as large as £100. You cannot store over £100 on your sQuid card at any time.
How long does it take to make a payment using a sQuidcard?
A sQuid transaction takes less than three seconds.
How does my sQuid card work?
Instead of paying with cash, you can pay with sQuid card. Present your sQuid card to the cashier when you’re ready to make your purchase. You should check the amount on the screen is correct before waving your card over the reader. Your sQuid card account is debited straight away and you can view details of your transactions on your online statement.
Where can I use a sQuid card?
You can use a sQuid card wherever you see the pink and white sQuid ‘Q’ signs. You can also see a list of shops accepting sQuid on our map pages. Remember to ensure there are sufficient funds on your card before making a purchase.
I have just loaded money onto my account. How long does it take before I can use it?
Your top up will show as ‘to collect’ until the card is held to a sQuid reader.
What happens if I need to return an item I have purchased?
Each retail store has its own return policies and will handle the returns in the same manner as any other transaction. Retailers will credit your sQuid card rather than providing you with a cash refund. Alternatively they may offer you a store credit.
What if I am on Free School Meals?
If you have a sQuid account and are entitled to free school meals (FSM) then funds will be added to your account each day depending on how much your allowance is. You will still be able to view your transactions online and you can also add additional funds if you wish to spend more than your daily allowance.
My sQuid account
How do I load money onto my sQuid card?
You can top up your sQuid card account online or by going to any sQuid merchant that accepts top ups.
Can anyone load money onto my sQuid card?
Anyone that knows your purse number can load your sQuid card for you.
How much money can be loaded onto my sQuid card?
The maximum balance for a sQuid card is £100.
Can I have money returned that I have loaded on to my sQuid smart card?
Yes. Funds are held on your smart card. You can request to have your money returned to you at any time.
Can I have money returned that I have loaded on to my sQuid school trips account?
Yes. Funds are held online on your sQuid smart account. You can request to have your money returned to you at any time.
Can I have money returned that I have loaded on to my sQuid account that is used for biometric payments? If your child pays for school meals using a biometric identifier then your funds are either held in the catering system at school or in your online sQuid account; depending upon the catering system used at the school. In the first instance, you may contact either sQuid or the caterers at the school to have your money returned.
How do I keep track of my payments?
You can view your current balance and transactions online at any time. Just click the ‘Sign in to my sQuid’ button. If you haven’t set up an account on sQuid before or registered a sQuid card, you will need to click on the ‘Register a sQuid card’ button.
Will I earn interest on my sQuid card balance?
You will not earn any interest on any funds loaded on your sQuid card account.
How do I update my personal details?
You can update your details at any time. Sign in to your sQuid account and click on the ‘My details’ link on the left hand navigation once you have successfully logged on.
Will my sQuid card expire?
No - your card does not have an expiry date.
Can I add more than one person to my account?
No, only one card can be registered to each
account. If you have more than one card, you will need to register them each separately.
Why has my card has suddenly stopped working?
You may need to load some more cash onto your card.
How do I cancel my sQuid card?
If you cancel your sQuid card, we can arrange for any unused funds to be refunded to you. sQuid card reserve the right to charge a £5 fee for any refunds made.
In what circumstances will you block my sQuid card?
We will block your card if we suspect fraud or misuse, or if we have any other security or legal concerns. If we block your card then we will inform you as soon as possible. Any outstanding balance may be returned to you or transferred to a new card.
Administration charge of £5
I am leaving the school
I would like to close my sQuid account
I have paid for a trip/item using an alternative payment method (e.g. paid by cheque or cash)
I have blocked my account
I've topped up with more funds than needed
I need to cancel a trip or item
Refunds listed above are subject to an administration fee of £5.
NB. Refunds are only applicable to balances over £5
No administration charge
My sQuidcard is not accepted
I’ve made a duplicate payment by mistake
The trip has been cancelled
The trip/item is sold out
The trip/item is not listed
The scheme has ended
My payment was unsuccessful but the funds have been debited from my account
My card is broken or faulty, I need a replacement card
I topped up the wrong purse
I topped up the sQuid purse using an alternative payment method (e.g. the bank transfer didn’t load so I used my bank card)
sQuid security
What does ‘Purse is blocked’ mean?
If you log into your account and see the message ‘Purse is blocked’, this means that your sQuid card has been blocked to protect the balance. If you would like your card to be unblocked, please email customerservice@squidcard.com
Do I need a signature or Chip and PIN to authorise the payment
No a sQuid card is a contactless, secure smart card. It does not need a signature or Chip and PIN to authorise the payment.
Is my money safe?
sQuid is safer than cash. If you lose a twenty pound note you are unlikely to see it again. If you lose your sQuid card you can notify us and we will send you a replacement and transfer your balance to the new card.
What should I do if I lose my card?
If you lose your sQuid card you should report it to us immediately by logging on to your sQuid account click here. You will then need to order a new sQuid card via our web site, and register it under a new account. When you receive your new card, you can replace the old card in your account. When you have replaced your old card, the balance will be automatically transferred 72 hours after you initially blocked it. Click here to find out more.
How secure is this system?
sQuid uses sophisticated fraud prevention and detection processes and conforms to the FSA Regulatory Requirements. Each card reader is protected by a unique security application module that creates a trusted transaction environment. Transactions from readers are encrypted and routed over public networks to the sQuid host environment in a highly secure manner.
What about MiFare and sQuid card security?
Information in the public domain raises concerns with respect to the vulnerability of the base MiFare 4k security. sQuid card understands the perceived vulnerability and has, at the outset of its design, introduced security techniques fortifying the MiFare 4k card and its interaction with the terminal.”
How secure is my data and your site?
All of our data and yours is hosted on a secure web hosting platform with reputable web listing company NTT. All of the data we collect on behalf of you is bound by our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
