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With more than 81% of Americans owning smartphones, contactless payment via digital wallet and mobile payment apps is more popular than ever. Here are a few benefits to consider.
Convenience
The biggest and most obvious draw of mobile payments is their convenience. No more pawing through cards or cash at the checkout. Just pull out your phone, open your digital wallet app and tap or wave your phone near the payment-enabled terminal.
Security
Using a mobile payment app to complete a purchase has several security advantages over traditional payment methods.
First, it eliminates the need to carry around physical cash or credit cards, which always has the risk of being stolen or lost. Misplaced credit cards, in particular, can be a nightmare for consumers, making them vulnerable to full-blown identity theft.
Second, mobile-payment apps use extra security measures to protect user data, such as encrypting all personal information and utilizing biometric authentication features like fingerprint scans and facial recognition.
Finally, each transaction on a mobile payment app is tokenized. This involves a one-time code generated by the payment terminal, or a “token.” The token is used to complete the transaction in place of the buyer’s actual payment information. The token cannot be used for any other transaction and is effectively useless if hacked. The buyer is thus protected from fraud.
Speed
Mobile payments are super-fast, which is one of the biggest benefits of paying with your cell phone. It’s just a one-two-three tap to pay. If you need help while checking out, the cashier will be able to walk you through the process.
Budgeting
Digital wallets can easily be integrated with money-management apps, making budgeting easy. Every transaction is instantly recorded for future reference and review.
Safety
Ever since the world entered the alternate reality of COVID-19, mobile-payment apps have enjoyed an enormous boost in popularity. This is likely due to the fact that consumers are wary of shopping in brick-and-mortar locations and are hesitant to handle germ-infested cash. Inserting a debit card or credit card into a public payment terminal that processes hundreds of cards a day is not much of a better option.
Mobile payment apps enable you to complete a purchase without making any physical contact at germ-laden terminals.
Here’s how to set up your ACU debit and credit cards for mobile payments
Learn how to set up Apple Pay® on your iPhone, how to use Google Pay® on your Android or Samsung Pay® on your Galaxy.
Open the payment app on your phone and select “Add Card.” You may have to create a unique PIN on your device.
Enter your card’s information into the app.
You’ll be asked to verify your card by phone. Please call the number that your app provides (this may take longer than usual due to increased wait times). Or, you can call us directly at 314.962.6363, option 6, then 1.
After your card is verified, you can start making contactless payments at retailers that have the above icon at point of sale. If you need help getting started, watch the instructional videos below or ask your cashier how the particular system works at that retailer.
