Digital Wallets Overview

What is a Digital Wallet?

A Digital Wallet is not only a way to pay with a device, but it could also include taking the functions of your actual wallet with all its contents and behaviours and integrating it into a digital device. This digital device could be something like your mobile phone or computer, with apps and in-built functionalities to help you with your everyday transactions. It lets you make electronic payments with your credit card or digital cash and hides the actual credit card information that is used to make the payment. By authenticating your transaction with encryption, the payment process is secure.

What are the types of Digital Wallets?

In this new space many tech companies are developing more and more Digital Wallets. Here are the ones dominating the Australian market so far.

1. Apple Pay

For additional convenience and security with Visa, Mastercard and American Express debit and credit cards, you can use your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac to pay for purchases. Use it in store by simply holding your phone near the card reader and placing your finger on Touch ID. However, it’s main functionality really shines online, with the Safari browser, where you can now buy without needing to create a website account or give away any personal information. Your card number is not stored on your device or the Apple servers, letting you shop with added security.

2. Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay is like Apple Pay but designed for Samsung devices. You can link your debit or credit card to the Samsung Pay app, then use the app to make purchases instead of using your physical plastic card or cash. The app generates a unique payment code each time you make a transaction, meaning no payment data is stored or held in the app and your bank card details aren't shared with the merchant.

The app uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to communicate with the EFTPOS terminal. This means you can simply hover your phone or smartwatch over the payment terminal to make a payment, and you do not need to enter your PIN for purchases less than $100.

3. Google Pay

Like Apple Pay and Samsung pay, this app is Google's digital wallet solution. It can work on all Android devices and isn't limited to Samsung. This app also uses NFC technology to communicate with a payment terminal, allowing you to make purchases with just your phone or Google, smartwatch, or wearable device.

4. Stocard

An app for bargain hunters, and those who want to become one. Stocard lets you carry loyalty cards in your smartphone or smartwatch, free of charge and without any registration required. Just download the app, spend a few seconds adding any existing loyalty cards to your Stocard wallet, and you can carry the discounts with you wherever you go.

4. PayPal

PayPal is the middleman for online payments for many online retailers, including Ebay. It gives the ability for you to make quick, simple and secure purchases with your existing PayPal account which you link to your transaction account or credit card. You can also earn reward points if you link the appropriate credit card with your PayPal account. Through a partnership with Bling Nation, PayPal is now using Near Field Communication (NFC) - enabled stickers to allow contactless payments from an enabled mobile phone.

5. Mastercard PayPass Wallet

PayPass lets you make your everyday purchases by tapping your enabled device. It is fast and safe with zero liability which means that if you can prove that the transaction is fraudulent then you will not be charged. It is accepted globally at many merchants, with a PayPass locator app available to download.

6. V.me by Visa

Like PayPal, V.me by Visa makes online payments easy when you shop online whether you are using a computer, tablet or mobile phone. You can pay on any website where V.me is accepted without re-entering your credit card information again and again. Shop online securely without needing to share your financial information and link it with any major credit card or debit card.

7. Lemon Wallet

This handy app lets you store digital copies of your card so you always have your details on hand if your wallet is stolen or lost. You can also choose to leave your wallet at home if you prefer to travel light. All your data is safely stored and encrypted, with a PIN needed to access your cards and if you ever lose your phone, you can unlink your Lemon Wallet at home on your computer.

8. CommBank Kaching

The first of its kind in Australia, CommBank has created an app to let you pay anyone at anytime and anywhere. You can also pay your friends using your mobile, email or Facebook contacts and make contactless payments if the facilities allow you to. Contactless payments are also available with an enabled device.

JARGON BUSTER                                                                                                 

• Near Field Communication (NFC). This is a set of features for smartphones and similar devices to establish a communication by bringing two of them together. Applications include contactless transactions, data exchange or a form of complex communication.
• Bling Nation. Bling Nation is a service that helps businesses with social rewards for their customers. It is a mobile platform that allows contactless payments and social media connectivity to allow a richer customer experience online.
• Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID). This technology is the use of radio-frequency to transfer data and information.
• Encryption. This is way of encoding messages so that no one but only authorised people can understand it. It is encrypted using an algorithm which is used to hide the original message.

 How does a digital wallet work?

Essentially a Digital Wallet works like an electronic version of your current wallet. It will allow you to make electronic payments with your digital device and hides the actual financial information. It authenticates your purchases through encryption and digital certificates to secure the payment processes from the consumer to the merchant.

Most payments will use NFC, a technology that allows radio frequencies to communicate with each other. In the future, you can expect the following features to be available with your Digital Wallet.

• Online shopping you are from your device.
• Conducting comparison between items
• Paying your bills
• Earning points with all of your reward programs
• Storing personal information
• Person to person payments
• Connect with appliances within the household.

How do I compare digital wallets?

Digital Wallets should be a personalised portal for you, so you may want to consider the following features you can expect from your Digital Wallet.

• Security. Ensure that your Digital Wallet has several security measures in place such as encryption for every transaction, zero liability protection or some insurance for your purchases. Safeguards should also be in place to only bill you once if you tap twice by mistake. Consider setting up a username, password, and PIN.
• Payment method. Your Digital Wallet should utilise NFC for easy payments that are quick and convenient. You may also be able to pay your friends and family easily by bumping your devices together or electronically transferring funds. The Digital Wallet should be able to make bill payments on behalf of the user and schedule any bills payments when their due.
• Online shopping. If you regularly buy online, it may be a good idea to use a Digital Wallet that is accepted at your favourite online retailers. You can avoid entering your credit card details every time you buy on the Internet and instead just enter a username and password. Check the merchant or partners page of the Digital Wallet to find out what they are.
• Rewards. You may be able to link your rewards program with your Digital Wallet, so it may be able to give you real time reporting of the number of points you have accrued over loyalty programs. If you are a member of multiple rewards programs, remember to link all your cards to you Digital Wallet.
• Organiser. Your Digital Wallet could store your calendar, contacts, tasks, lists and personal information, allowing you to access them at any time. This makes it easier to update and retrieve the information you need when you want to, as well as easily sync your information to all your devices.
• Technology. Contactless payments are the new standard for Digital Wallets and facilitate things like Pay Pass or PayWave. It uses Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags to add a security layer that lets secure transactions through an enabled device. New Digital Wallets could incorporate things like computer chips and Point of Sale (POS) device that provide a better and smarter shopping experience for you.
• Financial institution. Many banks and other financial institutions are integral to the Digital Wallet movements as they facilitate your payment. Your financial institution may already have an app available for you, which will make your digital payments easier as they already have your account information.

What are the pros and cons of digital wallets?

Pros

• Smarter than your regular wallet. Digital Wallets can provide a better experience for you, as well as help you organise your finances. You can also keep coupons without bulking up your wallet.
• Easily manageable. Manage both your notes, coins, forms of ID and any other cards by having it all in one place. It’s also easier to evocate all your lost items if you ever lose your wallet and you can reduce the chance of theft as you need to only worry about one item.
• No fees. Electronic payments means that you can eliminate the need to go into a branch to do your banking. This also means that you can save on fees such as service charges, overdraft fees and pay minimum prepaid card fees.

Cons

• New technology. In the present, digital technologies are still misunderstood and haven’t reached a critical mass among consumers. This means that not every merchant will have contactless payment methods, which means that you cannot use your Digital Wallet everywhere you go.

What are some things to avoid with digital wallets?

• Forgetting about security. Always protect your information with a password or PIN just in case your Digital Wallet is lost or stolen. It’s important that you can always unlink your personal information from your Digital Wallet so no one except for you has access to it.
• Forgetting about privacy. To avoid things like identity theft, it is important to always be wary of the site you are entering your personal information into. If you are on a webpage, always look for the padlock symbol where you enter your web addresses to confirm that the web page is secure.

The shopping technology of the future

As society becomes increasingly cashless and now cardless, what else could be on the horizon?

For one, Amazon Go stores in the United States utilise a range of new shopping technology that tracks your movements in the store and which items you pick up.The technology then uses your tracked movements to create a virtual shopping trolley and tally up your shop, charging it to your Amazon account. All you need to do is turn on your Amazon Go app on your phone and touch it to the turnstile at the front door.

This kind of technology is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms connected to sensors and cameras.

Australian robotics and technology company black.ai is working on their own system similar to the one used in Amazon Go stores, meaning this whole new shopping technology trend could make its way to Australia in the near future.