How can we help?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you need help using your sQuidcard or the sQuidcard website then try the Frequently Asked Questions below.
About sQuid >
Accepting sQuid payments >
My sQuid account >
sQuid technology and security >
About sQuid
Q/ What is sQuid?
A/ sQuid is electronic money or eMoney that is held on smart cards called sQuidcards.
Q/ How does sQuid work?
A/ sQuid uses the latest contact-less 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 3 seconds.
Q/ Is a sQuidcard like a bank debit card or credit card?
A/ No. To use a sQuidcard you must pre-load money onto the card. You do not need a PIN to use a sQuidcard and you cannot get in to debt.
Q/ How many different type of sQuidcard are there?
A/ sQuid eMoney is available on different cards, for example on third party cards, such as the Bolton smartcard (BSmart) and on a standalone pink sQuidcard.
Q/ How much does it cost to get a sQuidcard?
A/ It is free to get a sQuidcard and free to use for consumers. Merchants pay a small fee of 1.5% per transaction regardless of the sale amount.
Q/ Can sQuid be added to other cards?
A/ 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 GMPTE travel cards.
Q/ I don’t have a bank account, can I still use a sQuid card?
A/ 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
Q/ Can children of all ages use sQuid?
A/ Yes, children of any age can use a sQuidcard. Parents or Guardians can load money on to their card as can Friends or Family.
Accepting sQuid payments >
Q/ How long does it take to make a payment using a sQuidcard?
A/ A sQuid transaction takes less than 3 seconds.
Q/ Can I give a refund using sQuid?
A/ Yes, it is as easy to give your customer refund as it is to make a sale. You are in control and can set up a refund easily from the terminal.
Q/ What do I do if I want to accept sQuid payments?
A/ If you want to accept sQuid you can apply for Online now – click here – or you can Contact Us to find out more.
Q/ Do I have to have broadband for Squid to work?
A/ Yes, you need to have broadband as your main connection to the internet. sQuid can help you install this if required.
Q/ Do I need a computer in my shop for Squid to work?
A/ No you don’t need a computer in your shop all you need is a sQuid terminal and sQuid reader, which we supply. If you want to access your account to view your transactions then you will need a computer to access the internet.
Q/ If I run out of cards, who do I contact?
A/ You will be given a contact telephone number to call if you run out of cards
Q/ What free advertising can we get online?
A/ You will get a listing on the search results on the site under the ‘sQuid where you live’ plus a flag on our Google map linked to your details.
My sQuid account
Q/ How do I load money onto my sQuidcard?
A/ You can top up your sQuidcard account online or by going to any sQuid merchant that accepts top ups.
Q/ Can anyone load money onto my sQuidcard?
A/ Anyone that knows your card number can load your sQuidcard for you.
Q/ How much money can be loaded onto my sQuidcard?
A/ The maximum balance for a sQuidcard is £100.
Q/ Can I have money returned that I have loaded on to my sQuidcard?
A/ Yes - you can request to have your money returned to you at any time
Q/ How do I keep track of my payments?
A/ 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 sQuidcard’ button.
Q/ Will I earn interest on my sQuidcard balance?
A/ You will not earn any interest on any funds loaded on your sQuidcard account.
Q/ How do I update my details?
A/ 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.
sQuid technology and security
Q/ What happens if my broadband service is temporarily out of use?
A/ If your broadband connection should go down for a period of time all transactions are stored locally on the terminal and then uploaded when you are connected again.
Q/ Do I need a signature or Chip and PIN to authorise the payment
A/ No a sQuidcard is a contactless, secure smart card. It does not need a signature or Chip and PIN to authorise the payment.
Q Is my money safe?
A/ sQuid is safer than cash. If you lose a twenty pound note you are unlikely to see it again. If you lose your sQuidcard you can notify us and we will send you a replacement and transfer your balance to the new card.
Q/ What should I do if I lose my card?
A/ If you lose your sQuidcard you should report it to us immediately by logging on to your sQuid account. We will cancel your existing card – ‘hotlist’ - transfer any remaining balance to a replacement card and send it your home address as given.
Q/ How secure is this system?
A/ 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.
Q/ What about internet security?
A/ Internet shopping is increasingly popular and most reputable retailers run sites that are safe and secure. However, if you are concerned about security, CardWatch offers some simple guidelines to follow when buying online.
Q/ What about MiFare and sQuidcard security?
A/ Information in the public domain raises concerns with respect to the vulnerability of the base MiFare 4k security. sQuidcard 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.”
Q/ How secure is my data and your site?
A/ All of our data and yours is hosted on a secure web hosting platform with reputable web histing company NTT. All of the data we collect on behalf of you is bound by our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
