Digital Debit Cards
Life as we knew it changed dramatically throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including how we purchased many goods and services as an increasing number of people sought contactless ways to pay.
According to a Forbes article from June 2020, in about a one-year period from the start of the pandemic, the overall use of contactless payment options in the United States rose by about 150%.
There are several types of contactless payment options that eliminate the need to pay with cash or swipe your credit or debit card in a machine. Instead, customers can pay with a quick tap of their chip-enabled card or using a payment-enabled phone or wearable device at many checkout counters.
So, how do you join the digital payment revolution?
How Do You Get a Digital Card in Your Digital Wallet?
Once you set up your personal checking account, and received your debit card, you can add your debit account information to a digital wallet of your choosing. WaFd Bank's digital debit card can be used through Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
Start by downloading one of the apps and adding your card's number and security code to your digital wallet. It's that easy!
What is a Digital Debit Card and a Digital Wallet?
If interested in using your phone to make contactless payments, consider setting up a digital wallet first.
A digital wallet allows you to safely and securely store your personal payment information virtually in a single place through an app on your phone. This includes your name, addresses (shipping and billing), debit and credit card numbers, and other payment information.
By storing your debit account information in your digital wallet, you are creating a digital debit card and no longer need to use your physical debit card to make purchases at participating businesses. It's also an easy and safe way to pay your friends and family using P2P (person to person) technology.
How to Pay Friends and Family
Similar to adding a card to your digital wallet, you can add your debit account information to a payment transfer app to easily transfer money to friends and family. WaFd Bank's digital debit card can be used through Venmo, Zelle and Paypal.
Download one of these apps, and your card information and find your friends. Then you can make a quick transfer request in the app when you need to split a bill at a restaurant or send someone some birthday money.
How to Pay Friends and Family
Similar to adding a card to your digital wallet, you can add your debit account information to a payment transfer app to easily transfer money to friends and family. WaFd Bank's digital debit card can be used through Venmo, Zelle and Paypal.
Download one of these apps, and your card information and find your friends. Then you can make a quick transfer request in the app when you need to split a bill at a restaurant or send someone some birthday money.
How to Use a Digital Debit Card for Purchases
After loading your debit account information into the mobile app, you can start making purchases using your phone instead of your physical debit card. Simply open your digital wallet app and hold your phone close to a payment terminal that offers the contactless option to make an in-person purchase. Check with your local retailer since not all businesses currently offer this option. You will also have free access to WaFd Bank’s network of more than 37,000 ATMs across the country that accept traditional debit cards.
When making in-app and online purchases, you may be able to select a payment type saved in your digital wallet so you do not have to manually enter your card information. You can also set up text alerts for all your purchases to keep better tabs on your spending.
Interested in a digital debit card through WaFd Bank? Opening a bank account online is simple. WaFd Bank offers several personal checking and spending account options to fit your needs. Once you open a checking account, you can take advantage of WaFd Bank’s digital debit card. Find your local WaFd Bank branch to learn more.