How safe are Tap and Pay mobile payments?

[SnoopZ]

I've never used a mobile phone tap and pay method until now, but I've now added my Credit Card to Google Wallet but I have some reservations about it's security in regards to accidental close tapping as there is no way to agree to any payment using a fingerprint, the payment just happens.

Am I worrying over nothing, what do you guys do, keep NFC turned off until you need to use it, this is annoying on my phone because there is no easy access to that option?

I can see scenarios where I'm browsing on an unlocked phone in a restaurant while the waiter is walking around with a card machine, I can imagine this triggering payment accidentally with them just passing the machine across the table to another person.

I can imagine a scenario where I'm walking down the street with my phone in hand unlocked and someone brushes against me too.

Think I'll keep NFC OFF for the time being.

They are as safe as any contactless method.

Like everything, the scare stories are largely just that, scaremongering nonsense.

Aside from the phone needing to be unlocked, I have to actually be viewing the card in my wallet as well.
Also, you have to be very close to trigger a payment, its not going to happen when someone is passing a machine to someone else.

Keeping NFC off is Tin Foil Hat territory tbh, dont waste your time on the effort required.

[denphone]

l have used it quite a few times and have encountered no problems at all.

[1701-e]

Originally Posted by SnoopZ

I can see scenarios where I'm browsing on an unlocked phone in a restaurant while the waiter is walking around with a card machine, I can imagine this triggering payment accidentally with them just passing the machine across the table to another person.

In this scenario, if it could happen, as you are looking at your phone, you'd get a payment authorised prompt and you'd be able to deal with it immediately.

[SnoopZ]

Thanks all, I only added the card so I could pay Everup app with my Credit Card for the points, but I didn't know you had to have Google Wallet open for it to tap and pay, so all good.

[joglynne]

Just to second what has already been said. I have been using tap and pay for years, My son is a respected consultant Cyber crisis management and recovery specialist.

When I first considered using a google wallet he gave me a big thumbs up telling me that virtually all the scaremongering stories were just silly. I get a detailed notification/alert within, at the most, a couple of minutes every time my card is used so, even if the worst happened, I would know and be able to take action immediately if a payment was made without my knowledge.

Using a digital wallet with biometric authentication is a no-brainer as far as I am concerned just make sure your phone battery isn't flat. <<<< Jo looking extremely embarrassed exits rapidly stage right >>>>