This isn't really a security problem with Apple Pay. This is a security problem with people having their credit card information stolen because they're still having to use legacy payment methods that are not as secure as Apple pay. If we were able to make a hard and fast move to an Apple Pay only system, this problem disappears immediately.

As a retailer I have been interested in this Apple Pay. As I understand it AP does not work with my existing equipment. Another system called "Currency" would work with my scanner and any smart phone. Looks like this is the way transactions will happen in the near future. I hope the security gets better.

What is there to stop someone from sitting in a Starbucks and recording each persons transaction? Even the encryption can be broken. Now that person could have hundreds of credit cards!!!

Show me anything relating to money, whether it's debits, credits, or even cash, and someone will figure out a way to divert the wealth into their pocket(s). To date, there has been no foolproof way to keep money completely safe. If a certain process is safe today, give it a little time and some rather bright fellow will find a way to get it. All you can do is to spread it around and stay in the game. Parodying the words of (I think) Winston Churchill, "if you don't go into the arena, you can't win the fight."

Simple retired dino dude me just stays away from all that pricy electronic complicated crap.
Seems to me such cool stuff can just turn around and bite you within the blink of an eye.
Checking account empty. Savings gone. Car repo'ed. Retirement ruined. Life kaput.

Cash is the best way. I worked at hot dog cart
street vendor job for 27 years, and cash is how
I was paid (except for one period of a few weeks).

The statement that you should not provide your SSAN to a company is in error if that company is one for which you work. The reason for this is that there is a trickle-down effect: for instance, if the company travel department makes a plane reservation for your business travel, they often have to provide your SSAN.

Jan