Latest news with #mobilepayments
South China Morning Post
15 hours ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Ant Group pushes wider adoption of AI-enabled smart glasses for mobile payments
The first such payment outside mainland China was recently completed in Hong Kong using Meizu 's StarV smart glasses, according to a statement on Thursday by the company, an affiliate of Post owner Alibaba Group Holding That transaction was made via AlipayHK, the Hong Kong platform of Ant Group's flagship Alipay app, using Meizu's smart eyewear to scan the QR code and use voice command. The whole process – including voice interface, intent recognition and voice authentication – was powered by Ant's artificial intelligence (AI) system. The mobile payments functionality shows that proponents of AI glasses are expanding use cases to help broaden the adoption of smart eyewear. The Ant-Meizu initiative comes days after a similar launch on the mainland by augmented reality (AR) glasses maker Rokid with the Hangzhou -based fintech giant. The Rokid eyewear introduced on Tuesday supports in-store payments by scanning the QR code and confirming payment with a voice command. 'In the coming years, this technology could enable people to complete transactions simply by looking at or gesturing towards a product,' Ant said in an earlier statement on Tuesday.
Motor 1
a day ago
- Motor 1
‘Apple/Samsung/Google Pay Use Tokens Instead:' Woman Reaches for Tap-to-Pay Option at Gas Station. Then She Takes a Closer Look
Mobile payments are fast, secure, and frictionless, unless you're tapping into the wrong system. One viral video is raising questions about how trust in tech can be exploited, one gas pump at a time. In a recent TikTok clip, St. Louis-based creator Martice (@lovemartice) gives an up-close look at the potential scam that could give billing and payment access to bad actors rather than the honest retailers trying to make purchases as simple as possible. 'We gotta stop doing tap-to-pay at the gas stations,' she warns in the video that's been viewed more than 70,000 times. Beware of Scammers' Stickers The scam at the heart of the video is surprisingly low-tech. A scammer prints a personal payment QR code , usually linked to platforms like Cash App, Venmo, or PayPal, and slaps it on or near a gas pump's tap-to-pay terminal. These decals often mimic the design of legitimate payment prompts, leading distracted drivers to assume they're paying the gas station. Instead, they're unknowingly sending money directly to the scammer. What's worse: when you tap your phone, the payment goes through instantly, but the pump doesn't start. That confusion is exactly what scammers count on. Unlike traditional credit card skimming, which steals and reuses card data, this tactic doesn't compromise your bank account or identity. It simply spoofs your behavior, rerouting your money to someone else while leaving your financial credentials untouched. Legitimate tap-to-pay readers at gas stations are integrated directly into the pump's authorization system, meaning the pump won't dispense gas unless the station's point of sale network verifies the transaction. If you pay a scammer instead, the pump stays inactive, but your money is already gone. While frustrating, this makes the scam easy to detect in hindsight: no gas, confirmation, or transaction on the pump's display. Tokens Enhance Security Tap-to-pay systems, including mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, operate on standards developed by EMVCo, a global consortium owned by major payment networks including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, and UnionPay. EMVCo sets the protocols for secure contactless and chip-based payments, ensuring data is encrypted and tokenized during transactions. These standards make tap-to-pay transactions resistant to traditional fraud like card skimming. The good news is that contactless payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are, by design, among the safest forms of payment. These systems use tokenization , which replaces your card number with a unique, encrypted token for each transaction. Even if someone were to intercept it, it wouldn't be reusable. More Scamming Someone Deepfaked Ferrari CEO's Voice and Tried to Scam the Company How I Was Scammed Out Of $200 Trying To Buy My Dream Porsche Worldwide, fraudulent transactions, even including all card-present and card-not-present fraud, make up only about 0.01%–0.05% of daily transactions . This aligns with findings in the UK , where only 0.0151% of total contactless spending was linked to fraud. That said, the security of the technology doesn't eliminate the risk of social engineering, and that's exactly what this sticker scam exploits. You're not being hacked; you're being misled. To avoid this kind of deception , the best defense is awareness and scrutiny. Always take a quick look at the payment terminal before tapping. Legitimate payment prompts will be consistent across pumps and typically part of the pump's design or embedded touchscreen. If you see a paper sticker with a Venmo handle or QR code placed awkwardly on the machine, that's an immediate red flag. Many gas stations offer official apps or loyalty programs, such as Exxon Mobil Rewards+ or Shell's Fuel Rewards, that integrate contactless payment and provide extra security. If something feels off, step inside and pay at the counter. If you do spot a suspicious sticker or believe you've sent money to a scammer, you can file a fraud report directly through the payment platform you used—whether that's Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal. You should also alert the gas station manager so they can remove the sticker and inspect other pumps, and consider filing a local police report. Part of what makes this scam so effective is how quickly and habitually many of us use tap-to-pay. As mobile wallets have become more common, used by 53% of smartphone users in the U.S. as of 2023, so has our reliance on speed and ease over vigilance. Scammers aren't cracking systems or defeating encryption. They're exploiting muscle memory. A fake sticker takes seconds to place and can blend easily with a cluttered pump, especially at night or in bad weather. Motor1 reached out to Martice via direct message and to EMVCo via a website submission form. We'll update this article if either responds. Now Trending 'Watched Too Much Fast & Furious:' MK4 Toyota Supra Evades Police on Highway. Then a Trooper Conducts 'Insane' PIT Maneuver 'Can't Unsee It:' Why Are Drivers Flipping Their Ford Logos Around? Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Malay Mail
02-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Samsung Pay outage leaves South Koreans briefly unable to tap and pay
SEOUL, June 2 — Samsung Pay, a mobile payment system operated by Samsung Electronics Co, experienced a temporary disruption on Monday, its operator said. According to the Yonhap News Agency, starting around 7am, some users reported being unable to make purchases both online and offline. Samsung Electronics acknowledged the issue in a notice posted at 10.30am, confirming that the problem affecting card payments and registration had been resolved. 'The error affecting card payments and registration has been fixed, and the service is now operating normally,' the company said. 'We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.' However, the cause of the service failure remained unknown. Samsung Pay is a digital wallet platform that allows users to make payments using compatible Samsung smartphones and devices. — Bernama-Yonhap
Khaleej Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: 72% survey respondents prefer mobile banking apps
Driven by customers' growing appetite for seamless digital and in-person services, the UAE banking sector is undergoing a profound transformation, according to a new study. Conducted with 24 UAE banks by Arthur D. Little (ADL), the survey released on Wednesday reveals that 72 per cent of UAE respondents now prefer mobile apps as their primary banking channel, drawn to their convenience, intuitive interfaces, and personalised financial tools. This digital surge reflects a broader global trend, with the UAE's mobile banking adoption rate outpacing many developed markets, where mobile app usage averages 65 per cent, per a 2024 Statista report. Despite this digital dominance, physical branches remain vital for complex financial needs. Around 35 per cent of UAE customers still visit branches for services like loan applications and mortgages, valuing the trust and expertise of in-person interactions. High-income customers, in particular, show a nuanced preference: 70 per cent favor digital solutions for routine banking but rely on face-to-face advisory for high-value decisions. Additionally, 43 per cent of respondents regularly use self-service kiosks for tasks like cash withdrawals and account inquiries, indicating a demand for hybrid solutions that blend automation with human touch. Mobile wallet adoption is also on the rise, especially among younger and tech-savvy middle-income groups. The UAE's mobile payment market is projected to grow by 8.2 per cent annually through 2030, driven by innovations like contactless payments and digital remittances, according to a 2025 PwC report. This trend underscores the need for banks to enhance digital self-service options, such as advanced kiosks for loan processing and card issuance, alongside robust mobile wallet functionalities. Martin Rauchenwald, partner and global head of financial services at ADL, said by integrating advanced digital platforms with high-quality in-branch advisory, banks can build trust and loyalty. Seamless omnichannel strategies are key to meeting evolving customer expectations.' Rezwan Shafique, principal at ADL Middle East, added that investments in AI-powered personalization and digital literacy programs are critical to bridging the digital divide and enhancing user experiences across mobile apps, online portals, and branches. The survey highlights the growing demand for 'phygital' banking — merging digital efficiency with personalized human interactions. UAE banks are urged to adopt hybrid models, leveraging AI-driven wealth management tools and optimised remittance platforms while maintaining trusted in-branch consultations. According to banking industry experts, with the UAE's financial sector contributing 14.2 per cent to the national GDP in 2024, per the UAE Central Bank, these strategies are essential for banks to stay competitive.
Phone Arena
22-05-2025
- Business
- Phone Arena
Google Wallet users in the US get another upgrade this week
There are so many banks and credit unions in the United States that Google has been trying to add them to its Wallet support list since the app was launched back in 2022. Google Wallet adds new names to the list of supported banks and financial institutions each month, to the point that it now supports over 5,000 (via AndroidPolice). This week, Google Wallet has added three dozen banks and credit unions to its list of supported financial institutions, pushing the total number over the 5,000 mark. The list includes mostly smaller banks and credit unions, which will now be able to provide their customers with advanced mobile payment features that the bigger names offer for quite some time. Here is the full list courtesy of AndroidPolice : Access Credit Union (IL) Artesia Credit Union Ashland Credit Union Austin Federal Credit Union (TX) Bank Of Orrick (MO) Bank Of Wisconsin Dells Cloaked Concho Valley Credit Union (TX) Cross Keys Bank F&M Bank (OK) Farmers and Merchants Bank (AL) Fidelity Bank of Texas (TX) First Kansas Bank (KS) First National Bank of Litchfield (IL) First Southern State Bank (AL) First State Bank of Uvalde (TX) Fort Mcclellan Credit Union Franklin Savings Bank (ME) Great North Bank (WI) KS StateBank (KS) Mayville State Bank (MI) Metrum Community Credit Union Money Federal Credit Union (NY) MoneyLion (NY) MUFG Bank Ltd. (NY) Northwestern Bank (WI) Oregon State Credit Union Rellevate Sawyer Savings Bank (NY) Shared Debit Business Card Southwest Research Center Federal Credit Union (TX) The Bank (US-KS) The Commercial Bank (SC) TruPartner Credit Union (OH) Union Bank (MI) Wakota Federal Credit Union (MN) Google Wallet is more than just a mobile payment app | Screenshot by PhoneArena Google Wallet stopped being just a mobile payment app some time ago when the Mountain View company decided to turn it into a digital wallet where users can manage not just their credit/debit cards, but also store passes, tickets, keys, and even IDs. The only disadvantage of the digital wallet is that Google Pay is not supported by all banks (currently available in 94 countries), but that's why Google is so focused on adding new names on the list of supported financial institutions each month.
