Paramount Plus Payment MethodsWhich is Safest?

An overview of available Paramount Plus payment options:

Paramount Plus is currently available for people in the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, but its popularity continues to grow. The platform supports the following payment methods:

• Credit and Debit Cards: Paramount accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
• PayPal: Use your PayPal balance or connect your debit card to PayPal and enjoy an extra layer of security.
• Prepaid Virtual Cards: You can also use a prepaid virtual card, which gives you more security online as they don’t link to a bank account.
• Apple Pay and Google Pay: You can link your Paramount account to a digital wallet if you use a compatible device.

Credit and debit cards

Credit and debit cards remain a go-to choice for online subscriptions due to their convenience. While they’re easy to use and something most people have, some security risks are associated with both.

But first, let’s look at the benefits of credit and debit cards:

• Fraud Protection: Most major credit cards have advanced fraud protection, ensuring you receive a refund for unauthorised charges.
• Two-Factor Authentication: Many banks use 2FA for online purchases, adding an extra security layer.
• Chargeback Option: If there’s an issue, you can request a chargeback, giving you control over disputed payments.

Security risks

When you add your payment details to an app or website, you rely on the provider to keep the information safe. Data breaches can—and do—happen, putting your payment details at risk. If someone accesses the card, they can use it to make transactions and even steal your security.

PayPal

PayPal is one of the most popular payment options in the UK and Europe due to its enhanced security. You can add your payment card to PayPal and make transactions without exposing your personal information. Here are its benefits:

• Privacy: With PayPal, your card details stay private, adding a layer of security.
• Buyer Protection: PayPal can help with refunds if there are issues with a transaction.
• Advanced Security: PayPal uses encryption and 2FA, keeping accounts extra secure.

Security risks

While using PayPal is safer than linking your payment card to Paramount+, it does come with some risks. If someone hacks into your account, they can easily access your payment information and use it to make transactions.

Digital Wallets: Apple Pay and Google Pay

Both Apple Pay and Google Pay are great options for secure transactions. Google Pay is compatible with Android devices and people with an iOS device can use Apple Pay. All you need to do is add your preferred payment method to the wallet. The benefits include:

• Encryption: Digital wallets use encryption to protect your payment data.
• Biometric Authentication: Payments require a fingerprint, facial recognition, or a PIN, depending on your device’s capabilities and personal preferences.
• Tokenization: Instead of your card number, the digital wallet will create a unique code (token) to reduce fraud risks.

Security risks

The risks are minimal, and digital wallets are usually safe. But, if you lose your phone and don’t have all its security features enabled, someone could hack into your account and use the wallet.

Prepaid Virtual Cards

Unlike traditional virtual cards that serve as a digital representation of your physical card, prepaid options are much more secure. They don’t require a bank account, as you load them with funds beforehand. Using reloadable virtual cards gives you a convenient way to protect your data.

The benefits of prepaid virtual cards include:

• Anonymity: Prepaid cards don’t link to your bank accounts, giving you absolute anonymity and protection.
• Security: They also come with advanced security features, including encryption, tokenization and two-factor authentication.
• Flexibility: You can use your prepaid card as and when needed. No account maintenance is required, and switching between card types is easy.

Security risks

The only thing you’ll have to worry about is losing your virtual card information – but this is highly unlikely as they’re digital. Overall, prepaid virtual cards are the safest payment option, offering long-term security and peace of mind.