New 'photo bill pay' ...is it safe?

First came banking through ATMs. Then came online banking at your home computer.

Now, banking is going mobile, and your smartphone may soon become your local bank.

Just one year after many banks began allowing you to deposit a check by taking a photo of it, US Bank has upped the ante, with a new photo bill pay app. It is the first major national bank to offer this feature.

Pay Bills Anytime, Anywhere

John Fickle, regional manager of US Bank, explained "now you can take a picture of your bill, and can pay your bill at any time, any place, when it's convenient for you."

Fickle demonstrated how you can now use the bank's app to take a picture of your cable or water bill, and within seconds the app pays the bill right out of your checking account.

"It's all just part of making banking convenient for our customers, for them to be able to bank when and where they want," Fickle said.

To find out more about exactly how it works, go to http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/science_tech/us-bank-unveils-new-mobile-app-feature-allowing-customers-take-photos-pay-bills .

But Is it safe?
    
Sure, it's a bit scary at first, but U.S. Bank says it is encrypted, and is even more secure than mailing in a check, which can get lost.

Remember how frightened people were paying checks on their home computer 10 years ago? He says that fear will go away soon.

Several bank customers told us they'd be willing to give it a try. 

"I've seen the commercial for that, I haven't done it yet, but it does sound interesting. I would probably be willing to try it," said Kelly Noonan.

It's just a logical step from tellers, to ATMs, to your computer, to your phone.

U.S. Bank says projections show that more than one-third of all bank customers will be banking through their smartphone in the next five years.

So get used to it, so you don't waste your money.
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