A payment transaction is performed at a POS (point of sale) device. The device includes a terminal component and a reader component. The reader component includes a contact interface for establishing a data signal path via conductive contact with an integrated circuit (IC) payment card. A payment transaction is initiated. The data signal path is established between the reader component and the IC payment card. The IC payment card is commanded to generate a cryptogram for verification by an issuer of the card. The cryptogram is received from the card. In response to receiving the cryptogram, a command is issued to disable contact reading operation by the reader component.