Credit card hints and tips - Credit cards and advances in technology.
Article January 2004 © Copyright Lots of Luck Advertising
The use of credit cards, isn't an old fashioned method of buying goods and services. As technology develops and advances, it also helps credit cards become easier to use.
The latest technological advancement related to credit cards allows the consumer at participating retailers to authorize a purchase on a credit card, without handing the credit card to a clerk or cashier. This is all accomplished through a small piece of 'hardware' that you carry and can usually even attach to your key chain. This small piece of 'hardware' can authorize a purchase to your credit card just by hold it in the proximity of a special scanner or reader which has your purchase pending.
This small piece of 'hardware' being placed in the area of the 'proximity scanner', will generally through radio waves, signal or trigger the authorization of the pending purchase. The clerk or cashier then just hands you the receipt and the transaction is completed. No signature required.
The unique code that the small piece of 'hardware' contains is associated with a predefined credit card account. Often, points or rewards programs can also be associated with this small piece of 'hardware', so that points are accumulated automatically with purchases, saving you time and effort at the checkout. There is usually no additional charge to the consumer to sign up for the use of this technology. This technology in the use of credit cards is spreading quickly.
Gas companies (ie. gas stations) were quick to realize that customers want convenience, and the use of this technology with credit cards at gas stations can provide customers with convenience, through saving time.
The convenience of using this technology at a gas station, is described by the following four short steps:
1) fill your tank
2) scan your small piece of 'hardware' at the pump
3) collect your receipt
4) go
To pay for gas with a regular credit card generally involves more steps, and in so doing also involves more time:
1) fill your tank
2) walk into the gas station office
3) perhaps wait in line for the clerk or cashier
4) find your credit card in your wallet
5) wait for the credit card to be read, and the transaction approved
6) sign the credit card receipt, keep one copy
7) walk to your car
8) go
As the small piece of 'hardware' doesn't need to leave your possession, you don't have the risk of a clerk or cashier running your credit cards through an unauthorized reader to collect your credit card information.
A very important point to remember (as with all credit cards), is that if your small piece of 'hardware' is ever lost or stolen, immediately report it to the issuing company so they can remove it's authorization. Remember, as the use of this technology doesn't require a signature, practically anyone can use it.
For more Credit Cards, please visit www.lots-of-credit-cards.com
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