When Samsung added its first fingerprint scanner to their Galaxy S5, it was immediately available to use for unlocking the device itself – but we were promised it would also be available to use for verifying PayPal transactions as well. We are happy to report that the PayPal app in the Google Play Store has just been updated to recognize the Samsung fingerprint scanner. This means that the Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy Alpha, Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Tab S tablets can all use their fingerprint scanners to verify PayPal activities.
Years ago, we could only pay by check, cash or possibly a credit card. Credit cards soon became the mainstay of paying for merchandise – if you are old enough, you remember hating to get behind somebody in line at the store as soon as you would see them pull out their checkbook to make their purchase. You had to have a driver’s license or some other form of ID, then the check have to be run through a scanner, although, eventually the readers would print the store’s name and fill in the amount…saving some time. Credit or Debit cards were the fastest once people got the hang of using the machine attached to the counter for swiping and signing – you used to dread when a little old lady had to go through the process…I know I bite my tongue many a time and faked a smile, after all, she was trying her best.
The ‘swipe and pay’ was really a nice addition – quick, easy, fast and safer for the consumer because your credit or debit card never left your hand. In this whole mix of ways to pay, especially more securely online, PayPal was developed as a means to keep from paying with your credit card or bank account, because once those are out there in ‘cyberspace,’ you can never take it back. The chances of someone obtaining those numbers is very high – just look at the retailers that had their systems hacked and credit card numbers stolen – and it is a lot easier to accomplish online. PayPal touts themselves as very secure and only your PayPal account number is used, somewhat protecting your credit card and bank account numbers. With the addition of fingerprint authentication, even your User ID and Password do no have to be entered…and if someone steals your fingerprint, then you have a far greater problem than protecting your bank account number.
Please hook up with us on our Google+ Page and let us know if you have tried verifying your PayPal purchase with your fingerprint…as always, we would love to hear from you.