Contactless Payments

Contactless payments involve using credit cards, debit cards, phones, and other devices that allow for secure payments without having to physically touch the credit card terminal.

A digital wallet is a software app on your mobile device that securely stores digital versions of your debit and credit cards so you don't have to carry the physical cards with you. Some digital wallets also allow you to store e-tickets, coupons or other important information. If your device does not come with a digital wallet, you can download one from the official app store for your type of phone. 

To use your SSB debit card for contactless payments, you need the type of wallet that works with your mobile device and with the payment service you want to use. For example, to use Apple Pay, you need an iPhone with Apple Wallet which typically comes pre-installed on iPhones but can also be downloaded from the App Store.  

Each digital wallet is slightly different but all make it easy. To add a card to Apple Pay, on your mobile device open the Apple Wallet and click the + sign and follow the instructions for adding a Credit or Debit card. To add a card to Google Pay, on your mobile device open Google Pay and tap on Profile Picture Bank Accounts and Cards and follow the instructions. In Samsung Pay, on your mobile device, open Samsung Pay and tap Menu in the top left corner. Then tap Cards, Add card and follow the instructions to add a credit/debit card.

In each instance follow all on-screen instructions to completion.

Contactless payments started in 1995 with the first-ever card, although very rarely used. In 2004, cards were used for the first time in the U.S with major credit cards starting in 2008.

Apple Pay became popular in 2014, following options to pay via Apple Watch in 2015. By the end of 2019, 11% of debit cards were contactless-enabled, a trend projected to grow to 87% by the end of 2022.

To ensure proper contactless payment, both the payment method and the checkout must have NFC technology. This allows a security code to be sent between the card and the checkout.

The transaction is done by holding the card near, or tapping it on, the card reader. Voila!

There are many advantages of contactless payments. These can range from more secure payments to more flexible payment devices, ease of use, no extra costs, fraud protection, and an all-around better customer experience.

Mobile device users must carefully protect their mobile devices with passcodes, fingerprints or facial recognition features that are not shared with others to ensure no one else can unlock the mobile device and access the digital wallet in the event the phone is lost or stolen.  Assuming the mobile device is secured in this way, contactless payments from cards stored in digital wallets are very safe. The data stored in the wallet is encrypted and the card number itself is never transmitted. Instead a unique, one-time token is transmitted to the terminal and cannot be reused if it were somehow intercepted.

Contactless payments are safer than regular card payments in two ways. First, you are the only thing the card needs to touch. And second, transmission of the information on the card is encrypted so it cannot be read in the unlikely event the transmission is intercepted. Get contactless payment to protect yourself from germs and from fraud!

Contactless payments can be used anywhere there is a contactless symbol at the checkout counter, making it easier, and more secure, for your shopping experience.

No. The card reader must be NFC enabled. Typically it will have a symbol indicating it is a NFC terminal and it might also include an icon indicating which system it is enabled for, such as Apple Pay or Samsung Pay. 

The simple answer is yes. Just like a normal credit or debit card, if spending limits are reached or there are insufficient funds in the account, payments can be declined.

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With Apple Pay, you can easily and securely pay for items using your iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device. 

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Yes! Make sure Siri is enabled on your phone, you have a contact in your phone for the person you want to pay and you have Apple Cash or an eligible debit card set up in your wallet. Then, say something like "Hey Siri, send 50 dollars to Mary Smith for her birthday." Choose Wallet or Apple Pay when prompted.

You can use the Find My app to help locate lost devices, lock it down, or erase your data to protect your debit card from misuse.

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The Google Pay app is designed to make money and payments simple, secure, and helpful.

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The Google Play Protect app gives you a variety of options to protect your debit card from misuse if you lose your phone.

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Samsung Pay is a contactless payment method for Samsung phone owners. You can read about it here.

Samsung Pay lets you put your credit cards and rewards cards, membership cards and gift cards in the Samsung wallet allowing you to have all your cards in one place. Learn about Samsung Pay Features Here