The way you sign for credit card purchases could soon be
changing. Radio tags could permanently alter the way you use your
credit cards. It has been suggested by researchers at MIT, that
the use of radio tags in credit cards could eliminate the necessity for
a pen and a signature on a paper receipt. A unique gesture or
movement could become your signature for future credit card
purchases. Mastercard has been testing the new radio tag
technology and the results are quite promising.
Radio tags are tiny transponders that send out radio signals. By
simply moving your fingers over a receiver located on a credit card
reader, you could send your unique signature and security code to your
credit card company and your purchases would be authorized
immediately. The radio tags could be turned on and off to prevent
thieves from tracking the signals. Credit card users would have
the protection of a personal identification number without having to
type it into a keypad. It would be impossible for a thief to
duplicate your unique signature due to the sensitivity and accuracy of
the radio tags.
Consumers and credit card companies are continually trying to increase
security and prevent fraud. The introduction of radio tag
technology could be the next step in minimizing loss and theft in the
credit card industry.
