Unlock, tap and you’re done: Paying with your smartphone is quick and easy, and it’s also more secure than carrying a credit card around with you. Here’s what to know if you’re still on the fence about ‘tap to pay’. — dpaA tap of your phone, a quick beep, and you’re done. What was still new a few years ago has become mainstream during the pandemic.
You can either download the app of a payment service provider, or use the often more universal offerings from Apple, Samsung or Google. The cards of cooperating banks can then be stored in their apps. For those with older mobile phones, supermarket apps or other payment services are an alternative, where you can store bank details or a credit/debit card. Here you pay with a barcode or QR code that you present or scan at the checkout.
The Consumer Advice Centre in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia is also not aware of any cases in which “criminals specifically attack contactless payment”, says lawyer David Riechmann.