TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: Re: Supermarket: Let Your Fingers do the Paying

Re: Supermarket: Let Your Fingers do the Paying

George Mitchell (george@m5p.com)
Thu, 03 Feb 2005 16:11:01 -0800

ranck@vt.edu wrote:

> I don't know, but presumably they would not have to have
> their card with them. The biometric fingerprint scan provides
> a positive ID and the store can just charge the purchase to
> the cutomer's account on file. You could then leave the card
> at home either on purpose or by mistake but still have no
> problem at the checkout. Sort of like the old days when
> the grocer actually knew who you were and if you forgot your
> wallet he'd say, "bring the money back later." There is
> the added security that no one else can use your account.
> A new clerk doesn't need to recognize you or check your
> ID for a written check. In theory you could cut the physical
> credit card up and then *only* your fingerprint will allow
> charges on that account.

> Bill Ranck
> Blacksburg, Va.

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: As long as the fingerprints accessed
> some internal charge system (in lieu of or in addition to) a signature
> on file, I see no problem with it. PAT]

It's easy to forget that, once your fingerprint has been scanned into
the store's system, now this impossible-to-forget, impossible-to-forge
identification is stored on their system, ready to be replayed at will
by anyone with access to their computer.

-- George Mitchell (obfuscated email address)

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