Consumer Reports is out with a new investigative report on the disparities in loss liability and consumer protections in various digital wallet and bill-to-mobile schemes.

A consumer's right to get their money back when something goes wrong—errors, goods not delivered as promised, fraud— varies by the payment option used. Again, the underlying method of payment tied to your mobile device will govern their rights in such instances. Cell phone and digital wallet payment services linked to a credit card offer consumers the most protection. However, there is a large disparity in protection for services that link to prepaid debit cards and direct billing to consumers' phone bill.

In Consumer Reports survey cited in the report, "one in four Americans said they had an unauthorized charge, billing error, non-credited payment, or other problem in the last year when paying for purchases or paying bills" with non-cash instruments.

On the wires:

• NRF Welcomes Bernanke Promise to Complete Swipe Fee Reform Regulations by Summer
• PapayaMobile Integrates Android's In-App Billing Solution Into Social Gaming Network
• Jack Henry & Associates Expands Internet Banking Solutions
• Pulse Retail Partners with YESpay to Offer Integrated EMV Managed Payment Service
• 3i Infotech Extends Electronic Billing and Payments Strategy With New Partnership and Services
• SHAZAM Enables PaySecure Internet PIN Debit across Eligible Issuer Base

On the web:

• Wall Street Journal: U.K. Consortium Launches Pay By Mobile
• Amazon Payments Blog: Checkout by Amazon Launches in the UK
• Springwise: Free mobile banking network launched in South Africa
• ReadWriteweb: NFC in 2011: Wells Fargo Tests Mobile Payments in San Francisco
• Herald Sun: MasterCard Pushes for More tap-and-go Terminals in Australia
• Bloomberg: Microsoft Is Said to Plan Mobile Payments in Phone Software
• VentureBeat: NFC Is Way Overhyped, Says Sybase

On the wires:

• TNS Launches Enhanced Payment Gateway Service in UK and Ireland
• MoneyGram, Iris Wireless and Globe Telecom Partner to Provide Mobile Top-Up to Philippines
• Paydiant Closes Series A Funding for Mobile Payments Venture
• Zeevex Chosen by Leading Online Game Publishers to Provide Open Virtual Currency Solution
• Zuora’s February ’11 Release Brings Deeper Integration with PayPal and Easy Connections to Third Party Subscription Commerce Systems

On the web:

• Inside Mobile Apps: Are In-App Payments and Facebook Credits on a Collision Course?
• Springwise: Peer-to-Peer Currency Exchange Puts Users in Control
• TechCrunch Europe: SponsorPay Takes Funding from Nokia Growth Partners to Target Mobile
• RFPConnect: NetSpend Unveils iPhone App
• TrialPay Blog: The History of Video Game Monetization

American Express has announced that IndyMac Bank, the nation’s second largest independent mortgage lender, will be among the first to offer this Express Rewards Mortgage program to borrowers seeking eligible prime loans.

American Express has announced that its cardholders will be able to pay monthly home mortgage payments on its cards. Amex said that "American Home Mortgage Corp. will be the first lender to offer this Express Rewards Mortgage program for eligible prime loans." The program also provides Amex's Membership Rewards, cash back, airline or hotel points or other types of rewards affiliated with their card for the mortgage payments. Cardholders must pay a one-time fee of $395 to the lender for enrollment in the Express Rewards Mortgage program at the time of mortgage closing.