Paying with my phone…the newest trend, but safe?
Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Brand Ambassador Program with Verizon Wireless and I received compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The Softcard related content is provided by Verizon Wireless. The opinions on this blog are my own.
What your mom used to say about your money
When I was growing up, my mom and dad taught me many things about money. One topic which got a LOT of attention was safety of your money. I can still hear them:
- Put your wallet in your front pocket in a crowd!
- Don’t let anyone see your IDs!
- Are you sure it’s safe to have a credit card?
- Do you think paying that bill online is okay?
- Don’t take all your money with you!
- Did you photo copy those credit cards in case that get stolen?
I am pretty sure today that they’d be asking me “Pay with your phone? Is that safe?”
Introducing Softcard from Verizon, a safer way to pay
Softcard is a new safer and better “Pay with my Phone” app. Use your smart phone enabled with the Softcard app from Verizon to shop, pay and save. What’s cool is you can use the free Softcard app to store payment cards, offers and loyalty cards in your compatible phone and transmits payment information to a contactless payment terminal at checkout using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. When you add eligible payment cards (like credit cards, debit cards, etc) to pay for purchases, YOU STILL get all the benefits and protections you would with your physical card. Psst…your buying information is not tracked by Softcard or Verizon.
Did you hear that Mom and Dad? I can leave my cards and cash at home and still get all the benefits and protections of the physical cards. But can’t you hear mom now…
Relax Mom! I am 53! And even if I DO lose my phone Softcard is PIN-protected to limit unauthorized access. My payment card credentials are stored in a special chip known as the Secure Element contained within my compatible smartphone. If the phone or it’s Secure Element is lost or stolen, I can protect my information by calling Verizon immediately to freeze the app and stop wireless service to the phone, and contacting the banks that issued your payment cards.
And look at how easy the Softcard app is to use! No more FAT WALLET!
Can you imagine not carring around all those darn loyalty cards?
Here’s are some of the great deals that are available with the Softcard app:
- Spend $40 and Get $20: Verizon customers with an American Express Serve Account on Softcard from Verizon can get a $20 credit after you spend $40 or more on one purchase with your Serve Account through September 30, 2014. Terms Apply.
- $1 back on purchases: Tap to pay with an American Express Serve Account in Softcard and get $1 back on each purchase of $1 or more. Up to $50 per month with the Serve credit through December 12, 2014. Terms apply.
- First 3 Coca-Cola® drinks are FREE. After the first three free drinks, if you buy 10 more, you get another 1 FREE through December 31, 2014. You must sign up for the “My Coke Rewards” loyalty card within Softcard to take advantage of this.
Have enough information? Just want to start to “Pay with My Card”?
The Softcard by Verizon app is a free downloadable app from your phone’s app store. Data and messaging rates may apply.
Want more information of the Softcard app? Attend a Twitter Party!
RVSP HERE and attend the party from 12-1pm EST via #PaywithMyPhone and you could have the chance to win one of the following prizes:
- 1 of 2 $75 Amex Serve Cards
- 1 $200 Amex Serve Card
Nolie says
I am still scared no matter how safe they say it is. I won’t even use paypal app or my banks app on my phone.
Brett says
I am not sure if I would use this. It’s very intriguing and sounds cool. I’m not currently w verizon though.
Jennifer Sikora says
My husband would have a fit if I was to use this app to pay for things. He is so afraid that someone is going to steal our identity, but oh how awesome it would be just carry around one way to pay!
Erica Brooks says
Not sure that I am ready to use an app like this yet but it does sound interesting. I do so much with my phone already, it might not be so bad.
Patty says
I’m sure it’s here to stay but G is going to have to spread a little further for it to work for me since it’s pretty sketchy out in my area. It’s probably no more or no less safe than using a regular credit card
Amber Edwards says
OK, I have got to learn how to use my phone to pay! I love the idea of this app with Verizon. I would love to leave all the junk behind and just have my phone.
Jen Temcio @ Dapperhouse says
What a cool idea. No more card cluttering up my wallet!
Dawn says
I actually really like this idea. I know some people are afraid of identity theft, but really if someone steals your wallet you’re in the same boat.
Shelley Zurek says
Exactly Dawn. And it sounds like it would be very difficult to do.
jenn m says
I am not sure how I feel about it. I don’t know that it’s safer or worse than typical credit cards. It’s such a scary world out there with ID theft.
Stefany says
When I was with Verizon, I used this service and absolutely loved it. It was so nice to just be able to scan over with my phone and move on!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says
That’s really handy, I always have my phone with me. I might even leave my purse at home!
Ellen Christian says
I’ve honestly never paid with my phone. I worry too much.I am not sure if that would work for me. I’ll have to give it some serious thought.
Suburban Style Challenge says
I’m still torn on it. As someone who’s lost a phone, and has misplaced a phone before (as in set it down somewhere and walked away, forgetting it, only to go back seconds later and find some kid investigating it), it seems unsafe to me. I do like the idea of putting all those loyalty cards in an app though! It’d be nice to have them all with me all the time, and not clustering up my keychain!
Liz Mays says
I love that we’re moving this direction with payment. I’m all for not having to carry cards around!
A Kerr says
I’m not paying with my phone yet but as a business owner this is something that I am learning more about every day!
katherine says
That’s pretty awesome but I still wouldn’t do it. I’m too leery.
Lena says
That is pretty awesome – It just might be the new era!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Ok, this sounds pretty awesome. I have never payed with my phone because I am wicked paranoid that if I lose my phone, someone can hack my info. This makes me feel better.
Liz says
Very interesting, especially with Apple’s new system coming out too. Do you know if you can use regular AmEx cards with Softpay, or does it have to be an AmEx Serve card?
Shelley Zurek says
Liz, you can add cards from participating issuers- American Express, Chase and Wells Fargo or sign up for an
American Express Serve® Account that you can add money to from your preferred debit card, credit card
or U.S. bank account.
Kayla @ TheEclecticElement says
My mom would probably have a heart attack over this! She doesn’t trust technology so I’d probably get the ‘Are you SURE that’s safe,’ talk, too. This is a really neat technology to have though!