Near-field communication (NFC) technology made it possible for the U.S. to accept payments at credit card terminals. It wasn't widely adopted until 2008, when major credit card companies began to offer credit cards that could be used with other electronic devices.

The payment method continued to evolve. Apple Pay allowed you to add your credit and debit cards to the digital wallet app on your phone. There is more than one way to pay for things on your mobile device.

My mother-in-law didn't use Apple Pay because she didn't trust how the system worked. Digital wallet like Apple Pay and Google Pay are more secure than using a physical card. It's time to ditch your real wallet for a virtual one as we move into the future.

Worried about security? You shouldn’t be

Apple Card sitting on top of an iPhone 14 Pro with the Wallet app open to digital Apple Card
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends

When I learned that some of my in-laws don't trust digital payments or wallet, I was shocked. They couldn't be more correct.

The problem with a physical card is the fact that someone could easily obtain the details of your card through skimming devices, either installed on a payment terminal waiting for the unaware or through the radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. Despite the fact that many bag and wallet makers use "RFID blocking" as a selling point, those skimming devices can be easily installed on various point-of-sale devices. A thief can use your card information to make purchases, create fake credit cards, or even sell it on the dark web if you put your card in one of those skimmers.

You don't need to worry about that with Apple Pay. You need to use Face ID or Touch ID to make a payment. Each Apple Pay transaction uses a unique device account number, and these are always unique. You are less likely to have your information stolen if you don't have a physical card or unique number.

It is possible that the concern is that when you first set up Apple Pay, you need to give the credit card number, expiration, and CVV code to verify. This is a one-time thing to get everything set up, and nothing is actually stored with Apple or on your device, so it can't be shared with retailers.

How the Apple Card takes it a step further

Front of Apple Card
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends

Unless I have another credit card that is better suited for a purchase, I use the Apple Card as my primary source of payment. I highly recommend you turn on Advanced Fraud Protection if you haven't already done so. Select your Apple Card, tap on Card Number, and then turn on advanced fraud protection.

The security code on your Apple Card will change from time to time. If someone tried to make a purchase with your information, they wouldn't be able to because the CVV will have changed by then.

This feature has been around for a while and was added in the latest version of the operating system. It is a small addition that has proven to be useful over time.

It’s so much more convenient

Apple Pay setup at the 7-11

It took a while, but most of the places I go now accept Apple Pay. In the last few months, I haven't pulled out my wallet with my cards. If they accept Apple Pay, I will let out a sigh of relief and ask if they accept other payment methods. Unless the system is down, I never pull out my cards, and when I do, I am annoyed and will complain.

Digital wallet like Apple Pay are more convenient for me. I typically will already have my phone in my hand, so when it comes time to pay, I simply double- press my phone's side button, and then tap my device to complete the transaction in a matter of seconds. I don't like having to dig into my purse for my wallet, get the card out, and wait for it to process.

Digital wallet like Apple Pay and others are more convenient.

If you go to a place that accepts mobile wallet, Apple Pay and other digital wallet can be used. As a colleague of mine mentioned, the locale that they visited during the holidays did not accept Apple Pay, so I recommend carrying your wallet with you.

The minimum age for using Apple Pay is 13 years old. You have to be at least 18 years old to use Apple Cash. An Apple Cash Family account can be set up for people under the age of 18 if they use Apple Pay. The person applying for Apple Card must be at least 18 years old.

Mobile payments are the future

Google Pay Wear OS on a smartwatch.
Simon Hill / Digital Trends

I was surprised that there are people who still think physical cards are safer than using payment methods like Apple Pay. If you don't pay attention, there are too many points of failure when it comes to the safety of using physical cards only. I think it's a hassle to get it out when you need to pay for something.

It is time for more people to pay with their mobile phones. It is more secure with the unique device token for each transaction, and there are other benefits if you use Apple Card. Who doesn't like convenience?

I'm waiting for California to allow digital driver's licenses in Apple wallet and more mobile wallet. I still have a card with me, but I don't use it unless I have to. It's time to get rid of that wallet.

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