Keep your payment info safe

For this same video with audio descriptions: How your card info stays safe.

Learn how Google Pay helps keep your payment info safe, tips to avoid suspicious requests, and what to do if your phone is lost or stolen.

Info about your privacy

Google Pay & merchants

Participating merchants accept Google Pay for purchases of goods and services on websites and in apps. Google discloses to participating sites and apps whether or not you have Google Pay set up on your device. This is so merchants can know whether to offer you Google Pay as a payment option. You can opt out of Google making this disclosure in Google Pay privacy settings. Opting out can affect your ability to use Google Pay to transact with certain merchants.

Google Pay & your transaction data

Google may use data from Google Pay transactions that you make in stores or on third-party apps and websites to:

Facilitate your Google Pay transactions.
Show you your transaction details and transaction history.
Resolve a problem that you're having with Google Pay.
Provide you with other Google Pay features.

For more info, go to the Google Privacy Policy.

Automatic security features

Here are a few ways Google Pay works to keep your info safer.

Built-in security

Suspicious payment notification

Data protection

Virtual cards

Important: Virtual cards are created and managed differently for in-store and online or in-app purchases.

A virtual card is a digital version of your actual card, with a randomly generated number that replaces your actual card number. Your virtual card is shared with the merchant when you pay in-store, or for purchases online in Chrome or in apps with Android to help keep your actual card information safe.

For in-store payments:

For eligible cards, a virtual card is automatically created when you successfully add a card using the Google Wallet app or your banking app.

To locate the virtual card number:

In the Google Wallet app:

Open the Google Wallet app .
At the top, tap the payment card that you used for the purchase.
- You may have to swipe left to find it, then tap the card.
At the top, click More .

Tip: Only the last 4 digits of the virtual card are shown. If you need more information, reach out to your card issuer.

On the Google Wallet website:

If the payment method is also saved in your Google Account, you can view details on the website:

Go to wallet.google.com.
Select Payment methods.
Click the card.
- If you have multiple cards saved, you may need to select View all payment methods.
- Within the payment method details screen, you’ll find a list of virtual cards available on different devices.

Tip: Only the last 4 digits of the virtual card are shown. If you need more information, reach out to your card issuer.

For online or in-app purchases:

You can turn on a virtual card to pay online (in Chrome or in an app with an Android device) when you save an eligible credit or debit card in your Google Account. You may also be able to turn on a virtual card after you use an eligible card for a purchase. Learn how to use virtual cards to pay online.

To locate the virtual card number:

On the Google Wallet website:

Go to wallet.google.com.
Select Payment methods.
Click on the card to view card details.
- If you need more information, contact your card issuer.

Screen lock

Help protect your payment info

Here are the few ways that you can keep your payment info safe.

Data encryption

Report unauthorized charges immediately

Identify & report fraudulent Google Pay messages

How to tell if an email is suspicious

Important: Google never asks you to send personal info like passwords, credit card numbers, or tax info through an email, text message, or phone call. If you get a message that says Google must verify your info, go directly to payments.google.com. If Google needs to verify your info, in the top right, there’s an alert that you can select with instructions.

Step 1. Check what info it asks for

If someone requests personal financial details or other sensitive info on Google Pay, it’s a scam. Never share sensitive info via email or over the phone. Examples of sensitive info include:

Your passwords, passcodes, or password reset link
PINs (personal identification numbers)
Debit or credit card info
Bank info, like account numbers
Personal info, like address or Social Security Number

Google won't ask you to download an app to receive support or solve a problem.

If you're still not sure whether an email or message is suspicious, be careful and do not send money or personal info.

Step 2. Find the real sender of an email

In Gmail, next to "Reply,” click More Show original.
Make sure the "From" address and the "Reply-to" address match.
Check that the address on the "Message-id" also matches the "From" address domain.
If you don't use Gmail, ask your email host for details on how to verify a sender.

Find & secure a lost device

Prepare your device in case of loss or theft

To prepare in case you lose your Android device, be ready to find a lost Android device.

What happens to my payment information in stolen devices?

Verification is required to make in store payments: When your device is locked, it can't be used to make purchases in stores. Learn how to verify it’s you to make a purchase.
Payment method encryption: Since Google Pay doesn't store your card details on your device, no one can access your info, even if it's unlocked. Learn more about automatic security features.

What should I do if my device is lost or stolen?

Follow the steps to find, lock, or erase your lost Android device.
Tip: Erasing your device removes payment info, including credit and debit cards, from the device.
If you suspect that your Google Account has been hacked, follow the steps to Secure a hacked or compromised Google Account.

Choose a section to give feedback on