Nowadays when going on a shopping spree you can leave your bank card at home as our smart devices have become not only a convenient but also a safe way to pay. How to pay most conveniently and what to consider?
The most convenient way to pay with a phone is through a banking app, as well as Apple Pay or Google pay apps. Each of the apps has its advantages. Banking apps are effective as you can easily and conveniently track the money flow (how much and where it has been spent), as well as to immediately see the remaining account balance. In Apple Pay or Google Pay applications it is possible to add multiple cards that are not linked to each other (including cards from different banks).
When viewing connectivity with devices, banking apps can be installed only in smartphones (one person can install the app in one smartphone), whereas, if in everyday life a smartwatch or multiple devices are being used, it will be more convenient use Apple Pay or Google Pay, which can be used not only in smartphones but also smartwatches (both Apple Pay and Google Pay can be linked to multiple devices at the same time).
It is possible to install the mentioned apps in various phones, however they can be used for contactless payments (payments with a smartphone) only if the phone supports biometrics and they are enabled. If biometrics do not work, some apps allow the usage of codes or passwords.
For online purchases it is advised to create virtual cards, these are fictious simulations of debit cards, which help to ensure privacy and prevent potential fraudsters from gaining access to your main account information. It is a product designed specifically for online and mobile purchases. A virtual card is a prepaid card onto which a certain amount of money can be placed. The card is not available in physical form; however, it has the same information as a traditional bank card. This type of card, such as VERITAS Mastercard© can be easily created online, such option is also offered by various apps and services, for example, Revolut.
The phone itself, as well as banking and Apple Pay/Google Pay applications are protected by a password, lock code or biometric data. Biometrics are considered to be the safest option as it differs for each individual and cannot be faked. In turn, passwords and lock codes can be hacked, for this reason they need to contain information that is close to you (so it can be easily remembered), be complex and unknown to anyone else. When creating your passwords, it is not advisable to use information that is accessible somewhere else, for example, the date of your birthday. Additionally, you should not use the same symbols repeatedly, for example, 00000, and symbols that are written in sequence, for example, 12345. When creating a password, it should contain 8 characters, from which at least 3 are the following – uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, symbols.
The same PIN code should not be used on all platforms, if it is guessed by fraudsters, they will be able to access all of your personal data. The safest way to store PIN codes is to memorize them, however if they are written down, it is necessary to store them in a safe place at home (you should not carry this information with you). Most shoppers use Smart-ID on a daily basis. Smart-ID codes should also be unique. In order to use Smart-ID safely, it is necessary to ensure that PIN1 and PIN2 codes are known only by yourself, as well as checking whether the verification code displayed in Smart-ID matches the code displayed in the e-service.
Smart-ID needs to be renewed every three years or when a new phone is purchased. How should it be done?
When the Smart-ID app displays a notification that the expiration date is nearing, click on the ‘Update Smart-ID’ button.
authenticate your identity – with eID card, in person at a bank branch office, using a secure bank link or with the Smart-ID authentication method – biometric identification;
delete your old account;
complete the renewal of the account by entering current contact information
choose new PIN codes.
It should be noted that renewal of Smart-ID is possible in the latest generation smartphones:
ANDROID
Operating system: Android 5 or newer;
Disk space: at least 36 MB for Android 5.x or 24 MB for Android 9;
Display height: at least 480 pixels;
Display size: at least 3,5 inches;
Internet connection availability – possible to operate also with Wi-Fi connection.
iOS
Operating system: iOS 11 or newer; Supported devices:
iPhone 5S or a newer model;
iPod Touch (5th generation) or a newer model;
iPad 2 or a newer model;
iPad Mini.
If you happen to lose a device that has an enabled payment function or it is stolen, it is very important to protect both your data and your money. If the lost device is locked with biometric data settings, you can worry less – the device protection is at its maximum, and there is a lesser chance that it will be possible to hack it.
If there is no protection set for your phone, or the device is protected only by a short and simple code and/or password, it can be hacked and, in such case, the most important thing is that important codes (for example, Smart-ID codes, bank card PIN codes etc.) are not saved in your phone (in notes app or somewhere else). Many internet banks offer the option to temporarily block card’s payment functions which can be useful if there is a chance of finding your phone or other smart device – it is important to do this if you lose your band, smartwatch or ring with payment functions. If a phone is lost and there are concerns about the security of your data, we recommend contacting your bank, which will help to stop or block the mobile payments of the card or the card itself.
Problems that may arise when making payments via phone
Making payments with a smartphone and other devices is, of course, very modern and trendy, however, in doing so, it is also possible to face various problems.
For example, if the phone has a broken screen (either has broken screen glass or has display problems) there may be difficulties in paying with biometrics due to the inability of the phone screen to read the biometric data.
For smart devices another important aspect is – the battery needs to be charged. If the battery of your phone is starting to act up, it will be necessary to carry other means of payment with you or change the phone battery itself.
Another essential aspect when paying with a smart device is mobile data or Bluetooth connection. Phones are usually not affected by this problem, however, situations when a smartwatch or payment ring has trouble connecting with a device can arise, in such cases you may have to spend a good amount of time in the store.
If your phone or smartwatch has any problems that prevent you from making payments with it, bring it to us! When a phone with notable faults (the screen does not work, the battery drains quickly etc.) reaches us, diagnostics will be performed and after damage assessment we will inform you on what actions need to be taken and the cost estimate.
If the phone already has clear and known fault, before submitting the device it is possible to check the approximate repair costs yourself.
It is important that the maintenance and repair of the phone is carried out in accordance with the instructions of the device manufacturer, using certified and modern tools, the most suitable methods, and original spare parts, as we are an authorized service centre for the leading device manufacturers.