Google wallet - without linking payment method?

[a.twiddler]

Same with me - my previous samsung wallet would just let me unlock my phone and scan to pay. But the Apple Wallet wants me to unlock phone, scan phone to pay, and at the same time also fingerprint ID. It is a pain sometimes, but I do like the fact that if someone just swiped my phone and managed to keep it from locking, they still couldn't swipe my phone to pay without presenting my fingerprint.

So, they'd have to steal my phone and my finger

Be careful what you wish for! Could this be a forthcoming trend? Mugged at knifepoint, nick your phone, slice off your relevant finger/thumb? I bet most people use their right index finger.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

A point on the security issue. Wallet requires authentication at each use. For me this means either entering my unlock pattern or fingerprint scan. It's a bit of a PIA in fact.

This applies whether I'm making a payment or sitting at the dining room table and opening Wallet. It's very secure unless one is cavalier with one's security info.

I am surprised that you find that a PITA.
I think all 'sensitive' App's; banks, NHS, HMRC, etc, require you to use whatever security mode you have set up on your phone, before the App will fully function.

I tend to use fingerprint or face recognition if I am wearing gloves. Not much effort required with either method.

***

As an aside, info' for non-users. You cannot use Google Wallet unless you have a security protocol set up on your phone (crazy but true, many people don't!).

If you have Google Wallet installed, and should you at any time cancel your phone's security protocol, the App is rendered non-functional.

Another advantage of having a Wallet is that many online third parties have a payment option, pretty much one-touch, that saves you the ball-ache (not sure what the feminine equivalent of that is) of entering all your card details for each transaction, as well as the non-sharing of card information benefit, of course.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Be careful what you wish for! Could this be a forthcoming trend? Mugged at knifepoint, nick your phone, slice off your relevant finger/thumb? I bet most people use their right index finger.

If you don't already, you should start doing the National Lottery.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Be careful what you wish for! Could this be a forthcoming trend? Mugged at knifepoint, nick your phone, slice off your relevant finger/thumb? I bet most people use their right index finger.

I think they're more likely to threaten you into unlocking your phone, the modern equivelant of marching you to the nearest cashpoint.

University of Leeds graduate robbed at knifepoint in Woodhouse Moor

 

[I like Skol]

So we're on the second page of replies and nobody knows if Google wallet can be used without a linked payment method?

As for the 'try it and see' suggestions, this involves downloading the app and I suspect clicking agree/accept to multiple T&C's, cookies and access protocols before I even get to the point of refusing to add a payment card, by which time I have already sacrificed any notion of privacy for my smart phone and any data within it.

It may seem stubborn or paranoid of me to try and do this, but it is my right to choose who I do business with and on what terms. I will contact the Motorsport organisation and ask for an alternative form of license. I'm sure I won't be the only one?

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Do you ever need to present your motorsport licence? If you don't wish to use Wallet I think it's unlikely you can or will be forced to do so. Have you contacted the relevant authority? It's hard to imagine an organisation will effectively exclude those who don't use Google.

Google doesn't charge for Wallet so while I'm sure Google wants your money this isn't how they will get it! I find it's a useful addition to life. It's simply an alternative method for carrying tickets, making payments etc. Wallet doesn't rule every aspect of my financial or ticket life!

I believe you can link a pre-paid cash card provided it is from Mastercard or Visa. You say you don't have an NFC phone. Does this mean you don't have a smart phone? If so Google Wallet won't do much, if anything, for you.

I find it useful for making payments, storing concert or theatre tickets and very ocassionally flight tickets and boarding passes. A key point though is this is in addition to the current methods. If something goes wrong one isn't locked out of life, one simply reverts back to the physical card.

What does wind me up is football clubs going digital. I understand all the benefits but the hassle at the turnstile! Geez. As season ticket holders we have a physical cards. Simple and efficient. Match day ticket holders have tickets on their phones. We regularly have to queue to get in while unprepared fans fumble to find their tickets. If it's raining and hands and screens are wet!!!!!!!! What a farce it becomes.

They may not ask for money for you using wallet
but they will be making money
for example - they will know how many people have a MotorSports licence
and will sell that information as it is not private unless they include the details of who the people are
and they can sell the general postcodes of where there people live
and what kind of jobs these sort of people have

etc etc etc

so - never kid yourself that Google (or any other big company) is not making money out of something
they make money from everything - and then kid you into thinking that they are being all altruistic by not charging you for using it (AKA giving them your data)

and - given the current situation over the Atlantic - how long before the authorities over there find an urgent need for them to be able to access the data help by any company registered in that country

to actually answer the question
contact the issuing authority and ask them for a version that doesn't use Google or Apple - I would think they have an alternative but may not want to publicise it too much

 

[I like Skol]

to actually answer the question
contact the issuing authority and ask them for a version that doesn't use Google or Apple - I would think they have an alternative but may not want to publicise it too much

They're watching me!

While I was typing my last reply an email arrived containing a printable pdf letter that confirms I have the required license. Not a license, but a cover letter referencing the serial number and expiry date of the license.

Panic over, Google can do one!

I'm sure Mrs Skol will be delighted....

 

[fossyant]

They're watching me!

While I was typing my last reply an email arrived containing a printable pdf letter that confirms I have the required license. Not a license, but a cover letter referencing the serial number and expiry date of the license.

Panic over, Google can do one!

I'm sure Mrs Skol will be delighted....

That's google listening into you. You'll be getting store card adverts next, and adverts for big button OAP phones. It knows !!

 

[I like Skol]

That's google listening into you. You'll be getting store card adverts next, and adverts for big button OAP phones. It knows !!

Watch it pal. Next time we're out on the bikes together you're going down!

 

[fossyant]

Watch it pal. Next time we're out on the bikes together you're going down!

I do that often enough on my own.

 

[Electric_Andy]

I bet most people use their right index finger.

You woudn't get far with me then, I don't use my index finger!

 

[I like Skol]

I do that often enough on my own.

Wasn't a threat, just a prediction

 

[a.twiddler]

Has anyone said it yet? "If an online service is free, the product is YOU!"

 

[PaulSB]

I am surprised that you find that a PITA.
I think all 'sensitive' App's; banks, NHS, HMRC, etc, require you to use whatever security mode you have set up on your phone, before the App will fully function.

Ah, you've made me think about this. It isn't the additional security that I find a PIA but the situation it creates. Let me explain. My bank, PayPal, HMRC etc. anything sensitive requires additional authentication. I don't have a problem with this. Why? I'm usually at home.

My Google Wallet use is 99% in retail situations, very often the cafe queue. Anyone using a card simply presents it for instant payment. Wallet of course refuses the first time, requests authentication and then a second attempt.

This is perfectly reasonable. My experience though is most retail staff aren't familiar with this and will announce "Oh, that hasn't gone through," which slightly embarrasses me and leads to me apologising and explaining. It also leaves me feeling the person behind me is thinking "Why doesn't he just get on with it"

Does that make sense? Probably a bit daft on my part.

 

[markemark]

Has anyone said it yet? "If an online service is free, the product is YOU!"

Not quite. It is not free. The card processor (not the vendor nor the buyer) pays them a small amount per transaction. They do so as it is very safe so they're less likely to pay out for fraudulent transactions unless a physical card, payment over the phone etc