August 10, 2023

Make Paying Online or In Stores Easy with an Interior Federal Digital Wallet

Leveraging cutting-edge digital wallet technology is one of the many rewards of being an Interior Credit Union member. Read on to explore the many advantages of using a credit union digital wallet and how it can help you manage your finances better. We will also discuss how you can easily sign up and use these digital wallets to make payments online or in stores.

What are Digital Wallets?  

Digital wallets are mobile applications allowing customers to store credit and debit cards, loyalty cards, and other payment information in a secure location. They can be used to transfer money, accept payments, make purchases in stores, pay bills online, and transfer money between accounts.

 

Benefits of Using Digital Wallets

Digital wallets store your payment details on your smartphone offering more convenience, improved security, and speed compared to traditional payment methods. It’s a superior alternative to your leather wallet and reduces plastic waste, which is great for the environment. Let’s look into their benefits.

Convenience 

Carrying cash and cards is no longer necessary with a digital wallet. With just a few taps on your smartphone screen, you can make transactions anytime, anywhere. You can add multiple credit and debit cards and loyalty cards to your digital wallet, making purchases and earning rewards points easier. It’s never been more convenient to pay for groceries, gas, or even your morning cup of coffee!

Security 

In your mind, you may be asking, are digital wallets safe? There’s no need to worry about losing your physical wallet or having someone-else rummage through your cards since they use encryption and tokenization to secure your data.

In addition, a passcode number, fingerprint, or Face ID is usually required to make transactions. Convenience and security work hand in hand with this technology, thanks to biometric security and fraud protection technology. Digital wallets provide different layers of security to ensure your virtual transactions are authentic, confidential, and secure.

Rewards

Last but not least, digital wallets provide many rewards and benefits. Members are rewarded for everyday credit purchases through Visa Member Rewards, allowing users to redeem gift cards, merchandise, travel, and more. Points can be earned by shopping at participating merchants. Simply tap your card over the contactless wireless symbol.

Speed 

With a digital wallet, you can make payments in seconds. Unlike other payment methods, such as a check or bank transfer, which could take days to process, digital wallets can enable an instant transaction through wireless technology. Instead of swiping your credit card or inserting it into a chip reader, you can hold your smartphone next to a contactless payment terminal to make the payment. It’s a quicker, safer, and more convenient way to pay.

Accessibility 

Digital wallets aren’t just for the tech-savvy consumers anymore. Several digital wallets, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, come pre-installed on the latest smartphones and are easy to set up and use. Digital wallets also solve the problem of carrying foreign currency when traveling overseas. Users can convert their currency within the digital wallet and transact in the local currency.

Versatility

Unlike carrying a bulky wallet stuffed with cash and cards, having a digital wallet puts everything you need in one convenient place. You can link your debit and credit cards, add rewards cards, and even store gift cards in most digital wallets. The versatility doesn’t stop there. You can use your digital wallet to pay for in-store and online purchases and send and receive payments.

Digital Wallet Requirements – Digital Wallet Loyalty Rewards are Coming Soon!

Have you heard about the new loyalty rewards offered by Interior Federal? To qualify, you’ll need to meet four monthly requirements – signing in once a month, completing 12 debit and credit card transactions, making at least two digital wallet transactions, and establishing direct deposit of more than $1,000. To get the most out of this deal, we recommend making your Interior Federal card your top-of-wallet or default card in your digital wallet.

Understanding Digital Wallets: Everything You Need to Know

With the rise of digital payments and cashless transactions, it’s no surprise that digital wallets have become increasingly popular. But how exactly do they work? We’ll cover that here:

Registration and setup process

To get set up with digital wallets, start by opening the Apple Pay app on your Apple device and tapping the plus button to add a debit or credit card. Enter your card details and accept the terms and conditions before selecting a verification method to complete the process. After that, you can make payments and take advantage of contactless convenience.

For Google Pay, open the Google Wallet app on your device and select ‘add a card’ and then ‘new credit or debit card.’ Take a photo of the card or enter the details manually before reviewing and accepting the terms and conditions. Choose a verification method and enter the code to continue, then review the instructions on using Google Pay.

Finally, ensure your interior FCU card is set as the default in your Digital Wallet. Once done, you can start making payments with ease.

Linking and managing payment methods

Once your bank account is set up, you can start linking and managing payment methods. You can store multiple payment methods in your digital wallet, making transactions more convenient. Some wallets, like Apple Pay, even allow you to store loyalty cards, coupons, and gift cards. As you link payment methods, you’ll want to monitor expiration dates and update your information as needed.

Making payments and transactions

Now that your payment methods are set up, you can start making payments and transactions. To do this, open your digital wallet and select the payment method you’d like to use. Depending on the wallet, you may also be able to send and receive money from friends, pay bills, or even make purchases in-store using your mobile device or smartwatch.

Security features

One of the biggest concerns with digital wallets is security. After all, you’re storing sensitive financial information on your mobile device. But fear not – most digital wallets have various security features to keep your information safe. For example, many wallets use encryption to protect your data. Some also require you to authenticate transactions with a PIN, fingerprint, or other security measure. If you lose your mobile device, you can typically remotely disable your digital wallet to prevent unauthorized access.

Types of Digital Wallets

Digital wallets make life easier for everyone. They allow users to store their credit card information, coupons, tickets, rewards, and much more in one place that can be accessed with a button. Interior Federal Debit and credit cards are compatible with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit Pay, and Garmin Pay. Let’s explore some of the most popular ones in more detail.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay is a secure and convenient payment method offered on Apple devices that allows users to make purchases online, in stores, and in apps. It involves signing in with an Apple ID, adding a credit or debit card via the Wallet app, and verifying the card for use. Apple Pay can be used at participating retailers as well as ride shares, public transit services, and more. Authentication is done through Face ID or Touch ID, depending on the iPhone model, and users can select their desired card for payment. It provides a secure and easy way to make transactions.

Google Pay

Google Pay is a digital wallet service that allows users to send and receive money with ease through their email address or phone number. It also offers secure payment options when using your phone to make purchases in stores, as well as quick checkout options when shopping online or in apps. Additionally, users can use Google Pay with their Interior Federal Visa® card by snapping a photo of the card with their phone.

Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay is a secure and convenient way to make purchases with an Interior Federal Visa. It offers fast, easy payments with authorized transactions secured by fingerprint and dynamic tokens instead of card numbers. Samsung Pay works almost anywhere you can swipe or tap to pay.

Fitbit Pay

Fitbit Pay is a digital wallet service only available on selected Fitbit devices. The app allows you to add credit and debit cards to your Fitbit account and make contactless payments right from your wrist. Additionally, you can track your spending and view transaction history through the app. It’s convenient for those wearing their Fitbit who don’t want to search for their wallets while going for a quick run or walk.

Garmin Pay

Garmin Pay is a contactless payment solution that allows users to make purchases quickly and easily with their compatible Garmin watches. It generates watch-specific card numbers and transaction codes for enhanced security, protecting the user’s payment information. No wallet, phone, or cash is needed; just their watch to make payments fast and securely.

In conclusion, digital wallets have become a popular way to make payments and transactions in the digital age. Major players such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, and Garmin Pay are all secure and convenient payment methods compatible with Interior Federal Visa credit or debit cards. Users can manage multiple payment methods after registering their card information and setting up their accounts, making transactions more convenient. With various security features in place, digital wallets are a safe and reliable way to make payments quickly and securely.

Want more credit union information?
Subscribe to eNews