Going contactless during COVID-19

This paid piece is sponsored by The First National Bank in Sioux Falls.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted our day-to-day lives. People began avoiding contact with each other, instead favoring contact with their dogs in the safety of their own homes.

But now that vaccines are readily available and Americans are working toward a return to life as normal, there’s a better way to stay contactless and continue the fight against COVID-19.

Contactless cards

Contactless payment options are now accepted at thousands of merchants across the country. One of the ways you can protect yourself and others against COVID-19 is by using contactless cards. With these cards, you simply tap instead of swiping or inserting them in a machine that has been used by hundreds of people.

You can tell if your card is contactless by looking for a wavelike symbol — similar to a Wi-Fi symbol — on the front of your card. For Visa cards, this symbol is located next to the chip.

Not only are contactless cards a safer solution, but they are the quickest and most convenient way to pay. The First National Bank in Sioux Falls began implementing contactless cards in early 2020 and continues to provide this service to customers.

Mobile wallets

Mobile wallets also have gone up in popularity in the past year. Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay are more ways you can protect yourself. A digital wallet is a phone app or service that can be used to pay for purchases at participating stores; it’s a great way for you to make purchases without touching frequently used card terminals.

Meanwhile, online shopping has increased with the COVID-19 pandemic. Mobile wallets provide a one-step checkout process that allows you to skip entering a card and billing information, making the transaction seamless and secure. Therefore, when you link your debit card to a mobile wallet, your card information is safe and so are you.

With the Delta variant ramping up across the country, going contactless is a better way to practice safety protocols.

To learn more about contactless cards and digital wallets, visit The First National Bank in Sioux Falls website or contact us.