Google Wallet enters the tangible world with debit cards
With the holiday shopping season underway, Google Wallet’s recent announcement could not have come at a better time. Following in the steps of PayPal, Google Wallet is now offering a free debit card to US customers to use for offline purchases. The card will be accepted anywhere a MasterCard or debit card logo is posted. You can also use the card to withdraw money from your Wallet account at various ATMs and banks.
To get a card, you will need a Google account, or sign in to your existing account. Then, click on over to “order card.” You will be asked to verify your identity, including your SSN; then, you should receive your card in about ten to twelve days. It should be noted however, while there are no fees directly associated with the card itself, Wallet does charge fees for certain transactions; mostly in regards to adding money to your Wallet account. However, Google gives you an overview of the fees, so users can review them in advance.
Other steps you should take
You will also want to make sure your address and zip on file with Google are current because more and more places are prompting you to enter your billing zip code at the time of purchase as an added security feature. If you have recently moved and enter the wrong zip code, this can prevent your transaction from being processed. Google has posted a FAQ section just for the new card, in case you have questions.
Finally, as mentioned before, PayPal has been offering a debit card for quite some time, so it is refreshing to see that Google Wallet is catching up to their competition in this respect. If you frequently use your Wallet account, this debit card may be just what you need.
