New credit card uses fingerprints

A new credit card that combines chip technology with fingerprints for in-store purchases has been unveiled by Mastercard.

The new biometric card has been tested in South Africa, with two separate trials recently concluded with Pick n Pay, a leading supermarket retailer, and Absa Bank, a subsidiary of Barclays Africa.

The new card builds on fingerprint scanning technology used for mobile payments today and can be used at EMV terminals worldwide.

“Consumers are increasingly experiencing the convenience and security of biometrics,” said Ajay Bhalla, president, enterprise risk and security, Mastercard.

“Whether unlocking a smartphone or shopping online, the fingerprint is helping to deliver additional convenience and security.

“It’s not something that can be taken or replicated and will help our cardholders get on with their lives knowing their payments are protected.”

When shopping the card is used to pay in store it works like any other chip card.

Richard van Rensburg, deputy CEO of Pick n Pay said: “We are delighted that this innovation has been trialled for the first time at Pick n Pay stores in South Africa.

“Biometric capability will mean added convenience and enhanced security for our customers. The technology creates a platform on which we can further our strategy of personalising the shopping experience in a meaningful way. We have been extremely impressed with the robust and secure nature of the technology.”