Consumer Reports finds Hidden Costs in Cell-Phone and Digital-Wallet Payment Services

Survey finds Americans not clamoring to pay with cell phones just yet

Yonkers, NY - While Americans are still using plenty of cash, checks, credit and debit cards to pay their bills, new electronic methods such as paying by cell phone or digital wallets are emerging. Before jumping in, consumers should be aware of the disparity in loss liability and consumer protections they offer, according to Consumer Reports.

CR's latest investigation into these new payment options finds that banks and technology companies are jostling for a greater share of the $50 billion a year in fees generated by everyday transactions. Some services by PayPal, Obopay, Square, Zong, and FaceCash already allow you to pay for purchases with your cell phone, but so-called digital wallet services are scheduled to hit the market soon.

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