Fingerprints for shop payments

A growing number of German shops are offering payment by fingerprint. Under the scheme specially registered shoppers pay by placing their finger on a checkout scanner, avoiding the need for cash or payment card - and cutting queues further. It is also claimed to cut credit card and ID fraud.

Shoppers' registration includes bank details as well as the finger or thumb print - and is authenticated by a passport and a bank card. Registration is said to take just a few minutes. The fingerprint can also be used as a loyalty card. Shoppers can control their spending by requesting a daily limit on their spending through the system.

Older people are reported to like the system as well as young people, because it stops any embarrassment with coins or PINs.

The range of stores using the system includes supermarkets to clothes stores, restaurants and even school canteens, initially in the region between Frankfurt and Stuttgart.

Some trials have been carried out in the UK.

Supplier: It-Werke
Product: digiPROOF