IS TAP TO PAY SAFE? HOW TO SAFELY USE YOUR PHONE’S TAP-TO-PAY FEATURE

The safety and security of your personal information is critical. Nowadays, everything from boarding passes to concert tickets can be on your phone. You can even use your phone to store your credit card information and tap to pay. Is this form of payment safe? We will go through how to safely use your phone’s tap-to-pay feature, keeping your information safe and secure.

What is Tap to Pay?

This is a form of contactless payment, meaning you don’t need a physical credit or debit card to make a purchase. You would simply set up a mobile payment service on your phone, connect your credit or debit cards to the service, and tap your device on a contactless card reader when it’s time to pay.

What Mobile Payment Service Should I Choose?

Apple Pay works only on iPhones and replaces physical cards and cash with an easier, safer, more secure, and private payment method — whether you’re in a store, online, or sending cash to friends or family. Apple Pay uses a device-specific number and a unique transaction code when making a purchase. This means your card number is never stored on your device, and when you pay, your card numbers are never shared by Apple with the business. Also, your purchases are always kept private. When you pay with a debit or credit card, Apple Pay doesn’t keep transaction information that can be tied back to you. You are also required to use Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to purchase your phone, making it more secure than a physical card.

Google Pay is preloaded on all Android phones and can be used anywhere. Google Pay offers transparency on how your data is used, has easy-to-use privacy controls, and protects you with advanced security – all to keep your money and private information safe. Google Pay uses machine learning to identify phishing and other fraud risks when you send and receive money. They send you an alert anytime you pay someone, not on your contact list. Like Apple Pay, Google Pay requires authentication to open the app and pay someone. Google Pay also uses a Virtual Account Number that protects your payment information, and the person you are buying from will never receive your real card number. Lastly, if your phone is ever lost or stolen, you can use Google Find My Device to remotely lock it, log out of your Google Account, or erase your data, keeping all of your payment info safe and secure.

Samsung Pay works on nearly all Samsung Galaxy devices and makes it easy to pay right from your phone. To use on your device, simply swipe up from the home screen to launch your favorite card, verify your fingerprint, and then hover your phone over the card reader to pay. With Samsung Pay, you create a specific PIN that allows you to make purchases and keeps your credit or debit card information safe and stored privately. In case you lose or misplace your phone Samsung Pay also includes Samsung’s Find My Mobile service and other security features to lock or erase your payment cards in Samsung Pay remotely.

Using your phone for just about anything is now easier than ever. Keeping your credit or debit card information on your phone may seem scary, but it is safer and more secure than using a physical card to pay. Rest easy paying with your device, knowing your information is safe and sound.