A policewoman warns against paying by card. She chooses a different method

Cashless payments have become commonplace. We pay by card in shops, restaurants and gas stations, usually without thinking about what data is used during the transaction. However, Małgorzata Sokołowska, known on the Internet as @z_pamietnika_policjantki, pointed out that the choice between a traditional card and a smartphone may be important for security.

The officer admitted that she does not use a physical card when paying. Her advice to those still doing it was unequivocal: “Stop.” He considers using the telephone a safer solution.

Paying by phone makes access to data difficult

The main problem with a traditional card is that it can be lost or stolen. The person who comes into possession of it will immediately see some of the data on the plastic, including: card number, expiration date or security code.

You can also lose your phone, but – as the policewoman points out – access to it is usually protected by additional security. It may be a code, fingerprint or face scan. Therefore, theft of a smartphone does not automatically provide access to data used for payments.

The technical difference is also important. When paying with a digital wallet, the merchant does not receive the actual card number. A token is used and the transaction requires additional confirmation from the device owner.

The phone also needs to be properly secured

Using a smartphone does not mean completely eliminating threats. The device should be properly protected and the user should not share his codes with other people. It is also important to keep your system updated and be careful when installing applications.

The policewoman also advises that regardless of the chosen payment method, you should have a small amount of cash with you. It may be needed in the event of a terminal failure, problems with the banking application or lack of Internet access.

Extra caution is needed when paying online

Other risks arise when shopping online. Fraudsters may impersonate banks, courier companies, stores or sales platforms and direct users to fake websites designed to steal data.

Before approving the payment, it is worth checking the website address, recipient and transaction amount. You should also not click on suspicious links or approve transactions that you did not initiate yourself.

Additional protection may include setting low limits for online payments, using a separate card for online purchases, or temporarily disabling this function. You can also keep some of your money in a second account so that if there is a problem with one account, you don’t lose access to all your funds.