Like most people, you’ve probably got a smartphone or mobile device near you most of the day—and with it—you’re able to do almost all your banking and retail transactions, keep in touch with others, or even run a business. It’s probably not surprising to hear, then, that 60% of the world’s population is projected to be using digital wallets by 2026.
With the future in mind, Chambers Bank has expanded its debit card capabilities into the digital wallet space. That means if you’ve got a personal or business Chambers Debit Card, you are now able to add the card to your phone or mobile device’s digital wallet and use it anywhere digital payment cards are accepted. It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s a great way to stay on the forefront of technology!
What Is a Digital Wallet?
A digital wallet is essentially an app on your phone, mobile device, or computer that stores electronic versions of your debit and credit cards. It’s a place that can also store things like digital plane tickets, coupons, gift cards, and reservations if their vendors have made them available electronically. And take note—a digital wallet is also known to be called a virtual wallet, mobile wallet, or e-wallet.
Many newer smartphones and mobile devices already have digital wallets installed on them, with the most popular being Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet. If you don’t see one on your device, read the tips below to check for availability.
Tech Tips: If you’ve got an old Apple device, check here to see if it supports Apple Pay. Anyone with an Android phone will need to have a Lollipop 5.0 operating system (OS) or later to install Google Pay on the device. Samsung users—the Samsung Pay App can be found here, and you must have one of these compatible devices in order to install it.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Digital Wallet?
Physical debit and credit cards certainly have their place. They’re portable, accepted by most retailers, and are secure when used carefully. At the same time, commerce is shifting quickly toward accepting digital payments both online and in-person via digital wallets. All things considered, here are some of the biggest reasons why you may want to begin using a digital wallet and add your digital debit and credit cards to it:
Your Transactions Are More Secure. Most digital wallets require verification of identity before anything inside them can be used; this can include two-factor authentication, a unique PIN, or biometric validation such as a fingerprint ID or face ID. And whenever you use your digital debit or credit card to make a transaction, your actual card numbers are not transmitted and are not visible to the vendor. Rather, a unique sequence of 16 numbers and a one-time transaction code are assigned to the purchase through a process called tokenization. The number set and code generated during the transaction can never be used again, which prevents card theft and fraud as a result.
It’s Convenient and Easy to Use. Imagine this: Your friends ask you to go for a walk so you grab your phone and get outside for a little exercise. You pass a good coffee shop and someone in the group thinks getting a latte is a great idea; everyone agrees. With your phone in hand but no physical wallet, you buy a coffee using a debit card stored inside your digital wallet. All you had to do was pull up your digital card and run your phone screen across the coffee shop’s screen reader. How easy was that? You didn’t need to go back home and grab your real wallet, you didn’t have to fumble for a plastic card, and you didn’t have to borrow money from a friend. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Your Credentials are Contactless. Since the events of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have become a little more careful about taking health precautions in public places. When you use a digital wallet and digital card, you can pay for your purchases in a contactless way, meaning that the only thing you need to touch is your mobile device’s screen. You don’t have to touch PIN pads or exchange physical cash that’s been handled by others.
How Do I Add My Chambers Card to My Digital Wallet?
Adding your Chambers Debit Card to your digital wallet is easy, plus it’s completely free to install and use!
If you want to add it to your smartphone or mobile device, follow these instructions:
- Open Your Phone’s Digital Wallet. Go to the Apple Wallet on your Apple/iOS device, the Google Wallet on your Android device, or the Samsung Wallet on your Samsung device to find your digital wallet.
- Add Your Card. Tap the plus sign (+) in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. In the Samsung Wallet, select Menu>Cards>Add Card.
- Complete the Setup. Follow your app’s on-screen instructions to finish adding your Chambers Debit Card to your digital wallet.
- Try Out Your Card. Go to a location that accepts digital debit cards and when you’re ready to pay, open the digital wallet app and pull up your Chambers Debit Card. If you’re buying something online from your phone, choose “Check out with Apple, Google, or Samsung Pay” when given the option.
If you have any questions or issues with installing or using your digital Chambers Debit Card, call us at 1-800-603-1226 and we will walk you through the process!
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned the basics of how digital wallets work and how digital debit and credit cards can help you make more secure, fast, and contactless transactions, we hope you make them part of your everyday life, just like your phone. Once you get started, you’re going to love the convenience and ease of this great technology!
