Watch this space: the smart way to pay
Leave your wallet and cards behind: this is how I used my smartwatch and a virtual card to make a payment
During lockdown level 5 last year, I was unexpectedly booked into hospital. Bar a Fitbit smartwatch and phone, I had nothing on me — no personal items, or wallet and cards.But three days later, when I was discharged, I was still able to pay for my medication at the hospital pharmacy.To do that I used a virtual card that was loaded onto my smartwatch to make a secure, contactless payment. And, just like that, I received my medicines.The timing and convenience of that purchase made that moment one I won’t easily forget, especially since it happened during the darkest period of lockdown.Virtual cards have been available on third-party wearable tech for a few years now. But adoption picked up sharply during lockdown when banks in SA released their own official ones. This followed the launch of Apple Pay, which made this form of transacting possible because it operates as a digital payments wallet.Virtual cards are considered safer than traditional cards because they use random digits in...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.