Digital wallets are a great way to electronically store your credit and debit card information on your mobile device. They offer convenience and security when making in-store and in-app purchases. It can also save you time when buying something online.
How to add your card to your digital wallet
- Launch the digital wallet app on your smartphone (e.g., Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Pay).
- Look for an option like "Add Card" or a plus sign (+) within the app. Tap on it.
- Scan your card or enter details manually – You can either use your phone's camera to scan your card or manually enter your card information (card number, expiration date, CVV).
- Follow the on-screen prompts to verify your card. This might include receiving a verification code via text or email from your card issuer.
- Once verified, your card will be added to the digital wallet and ready for use.
- If you have multiple cards, you can set your default card for payments within the app settings.
How to use your digital wallet to buy something online
- Go to your shopping cart and look for the Apple Pay, Google Pay or other corresponding payment logo and select it as your payment method.
- Choose the card you want to use, confirm your billing and shipping information, and confirm the payment.
The safety behind digital wallets
Digital wallets don’t store your actual card numbers and the card information is encrypted through a process called tokenization. Tokenization generates a one-time code, called a token, instead of sending your actual card number. This token masks your credit card information so the merchant doesn't collect it and the entire transaction is intended to remain secure. A separate security code is generated for each transaction such as face ID or your mobile device password. These features are designed to protect you against card fraud.
Some ways to shop safely online are
- Making sure the business is legitimate. Check online reviews or articles. It is a good idea to only buy from sellers that have a good reputation rating with lots of reviews.
- Pay with a credit card. They often have built-in consumer protections that guard you in cases of fraud. With credit cards, you escape some of the financial headaches caused by fraudulent purchases. When disputing credit purchases, the card company will work to resolve the dispute and you won’t be out any money during that process. Credit card companies also have built-in safeguards that can recognize unusual activity on your card and block suspected fraudulent purchases.
- You can add your credit card to your mobile device and pay online that way!
- Don’t be fooled by unsolicited emails promising free products or coupons. Crooks that want to steal personal information or to place malware on your computer often designed these emails.