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Soon it will be hard to remember things like the habit of carrying cash around. It's already happened with having to call a taxi before Uber and Taxify disrupted the market. If you're already a fan of using digital alternatives when shopping or paying for lunch, here are a few you may not have tried out yet.
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FNB Pay
If you bank with FNB, you can download the banking app, register your card, and use FNB Pay whenever you see the contactless symbol. Simply unlock your android smartphone and tap it on the card machine. Using your smartphone to pay for purchases in-store is just as secure as using your card.
The innovation can be used at any of the big retail stores in South Africa and all you need is to ensure that your phone has the latest version of Android and that you have a registered debit or credit card with FNB.
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Samsung Pay
On the 21st of August 2018, Samsung Pay was launched in South Africa. It's currently available for Absa and Standard Bank customers with supported Mastercard and Visa payment cards. Avios, British Airways or Virgin Money credit cards also work.
It's like a flexible payment solution where you get the benefits of both a physical and mobile wallet to make in-store purchases simpler.
You'll need to have a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and make sure it's upgraded to the latest software version. Then download the app from the Google Play store.
Plus is that you don't need data. Con is that you need an internet connection to refresh the app at least once a day.
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Zapper and Snapscan
These two work quite similarly. You scan QR codes in order to pay at restaurants and retail stores. Your card numbers are encrypted and stored safely on your phone ready for fast payments.
Once your bank card details are stored, you will only be able to see the last four digits of the card and you can also set a password to ensure that no one ever pays without your permission.
It only caters for individuals who prefer to not carry cash around, but it is also useful for businesses and restaurants, if you're planning to start your own. You can scan the QR code on their bill, add a tip and you'll get an immediate notification of successful payment.
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Masterpass by Mastercard
This one's a digital wallet service that stores all your payment and shipping information in one secure location; and you can add credit, debit, or prepaid cards from Mastercard, American Express, Diner's Club, Discover, JCB and Visa.
You can use the Masterpass to pay for online transactions as well. Once you've filled your online shopping cart and are ready to checkout, click or tap the Masterpass button.
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With all the technological innovations coming about and promising to be safer and more secure, you are still expected to take precautions when using payment apps and online transactions. According to an article in The Punch, these are the things you should ensure when using digital banking methods:
- Always use a strong pin and if you can, change it as regularly as possible. Never share it with anyone.
- If your phone gets lost or stolen, block it immediately to ensure that your information will not be misused.
- Never share your account details over the phone, online, or through email.
- Ensure that the apps you install and websites you visit are secured and verified to avoid unauthorised access to your information.
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