What’s the safest way to use my cards?

From tap-to-pay capabilities to using digital cards on our phones, the landscape in which we use our debit and credit cards is always evolving. These changes mean new ways to make payments, manage our cards, and protect our accounts from fraud.

The question that comes from these changes is: What is the safest payment option when using my cards?

In short: staying up to date with the latest card technology is the easiest way to keep your cards (and your money!) safe. We’ve gathered some card tips and resources to help you maximize your card’s protection:

  1. Leave Your Physical Card Behind: Utilize Digital Wallets

Many smartphones allow you to optimize “contactless” card technology by adding a digital version of your card directly into your digital wallet app to use tap-to-pay. To complete your payment, you’ll be asked to input a password and use biometrics, such as fingerprint or facial recognition. Digital Wallets work to share a one-time token code at the point of purchase instead of your card number, limiting the card information shared and increasing security. The combination of a one-time token and biometrics can make digital wallets one of the safest options for card transactions.

Set up Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Wallet to start using your card directly from your smart device.

You can “tap-to-pay” with your physical card or smartphone’s digital wallet anywhere that you see the Contactless Payment symbol.

  1. Avoid Outdated Payment Methods: Tap to Make Your Purchase

At one point, making a purchase by swiping the magnetic stripe on your card or inserting your card’s chip were the latest and safest ways to use your cards. Now, as scammers evolve and card technology grows to keep up, you have safer options to choose from.

Using the “contactless” tap-to-pay option on your card allows you to make transactions without needing to touch or insert your card in the payment terminal. This card technology can help you to quickly make your purchase (and bypass any potential card skimmer), while maintaining optimal control of your card’s information.

  1. Inserting Your Card’s Chip at the Payment Terminal: Keep a Watchful Eye for Card Skimmers

While most retailers now have payment options for tap-to-pay with your card or digital wallet, others still only have payment terminals that are restricted to chip or even magnetic stripe “swipe” payments. At these retailers, you don’t have the option to choose the increased protection that comes with tap-to-pay on your digital wallet. Before inserting or swiping your card in a payment terminal, know how to spot obvious signs of tampering – loose parts, crooked pieces, or sections that come off if lightly tugged. Doing this can mean the difference between safeguarding your money and falling victim to card fraud.

From fuel pumps and ATMs to point of sale terminals, any location that you use your cards at can become unsafe if scammers can install skimming devices. The FBI offers additional guides to help you spot and avoid skimmers.

GET STARTED WITH DIGITAL WALLET FOR IMPROVED CARD SECURITY

The verdict? Using tap-to-pay through your smart device’s digital wallet is often considered your best bet for ensuring maximum protection for your card, your account, and your funds.

You can connect your Chaffey FCU debit and credit cards to your smartphone’s digital wallet with one button through the Chaffey Card Hub app. Simply open to your cards on the app (or select “Add Card” if your cards still need to be connected), then click on the digital wallet icon below your card for an easy, quick connection.

After you’ve added your card to the Chaffey Card Hub app and your digital wallet, Chaffey Card Hub provides additional features to help you maximize your card security:

  • Lock & unlock your cards: Prevent transactions with your card in the event it is stolen or misplaced.
  • Set transaction limits: Prevent unauthorized users from making large transactions by setting custom limits.
  • Set alerts for specific stores: Don’t shop at Walmart? Set a custom alert with Chaffey Card Hub to inform you of any transactions that occur with your card at these retailers.

WHAT’S THE CATCH? DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN JUST BECAUSE DIGITAL WALLETS OFFER MODERN SAFETY

While digital wallets might be the latest option of card security, the evolution of transactions means it’s important to continue using best practices to protect your card from potential fraud.

Connect your digital cards, but be mindful of storing additional funds in a wallet app.

In addition to connecting your cards digitally, some digital wallets allow you to store funds directly in the app. This creates a gray area for deposit account insurance: NCUA deposit insurance at credit unions protects funds stored within a Chaffey FCU account. Once you transfer your funds out of your Chaffey FCU account to a wallet app, those funds are no longer protected under Chaffey FCU’s $500,000 of Deposit Insurance*. Adding funds to a wallet is separate from connecting your digital cards. Keeping your funds in your Chaffey FCU checking account and just adding your debit card for remote digital wallet use allows you to keep your funds insured, while taking advantage of digital wallet payment security.

Don’t underestimate the importance of biometrics in digital wallet security.

While it’s becoming a digital wallet standard, biometrics may not be required to use all digital wallets. If you have the option to enable biometrics protection, it’s important that you take this step. If your digital wallet is only protected by a password, it is easier for fraudsters to steal your card information from the wallet app if they get ahold of your password.

CAN I USE MY DIGITAL CARDS WHEN SHOPPING ONLINE?

While this feature is not available in all online stores, many are now offering digital wallets as a payment option when you are checking out from your mobile device. Similar to using your digital wallet in-person, selecting this option for online stores allows you to make your purchase without the need to share your card number. Your transaction is still protected by biometrics and the tokenization offered by digital cards.

If the online store you’re shopping at accepts digital wallets, simply find and select the wallet option at checkout to confirm this as your payment option.

*$250,000 in deposit insurance from National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund; additional $250,000 from American Share Insurance (ASI). Coverage amount is dependent on account ownership structure. Please see a credit union representative for more information or visit https://mycreditunion.gov/insurance-estimator. Qualifying deposit accounts for ASI protection exclude public fund deposit accounts.