Phone payments require a little prep work
before you get to the checkout counter. First,
you must enter your payment card information
into your mobile wallet app. Then, the card is
saved and available to use.
TOUCHLESS PAY AT THE PUMP
Many retailers have mobile apps that let you pay
on your phone and bypass in-person payment
completely. In those cases, you typically would
get items delivered or visit the store for curbside
or in-store pickup.
Another way to use a retail app is at major gas
station chains. The apps (download them at an
app store) let you identify which pump number
you’re at, then authorize you to use it. You fill
your tank with gas, and the charge goes to
whatever payment method you identified in the
gas-station app.
Just be sure to clean your hands after using the
pump nozzle.
IS IT SECURE?
As you beam your next payment to a retailer’s
checkout terminal, you might wonder, “Will I
have my credit card number stolen?”
The nontechnical answer is that it’s safer than
the old method of swiping your card. That’s
because the card or phone sends encrypted
payment information to the terminal —
it essentially masks your real credit card
number. Even if the payment information was
intercepted, it would be useless to a thief.
“It’s an incredibly safe way to pay,” Kelley said.
These days, in more ways than one.