New technology is making it more difficult for criminals to use, alter, or counterfeit credit and debit cards. Some of the innovations are already in use.
These security features have been added to major credit cards:
Holograph - a three-dimensional, laser produced optical device that changes its color and image as the card is tilted.
Fine-line printing - a repeated pattern of the card company name positioned as background for the company logo.
Ultra-violet ink - special ink that is visible only under ultra-violet light, which will display the credit card company's logo.
"Smart Cards" may be the credit cards of the future. Each card has a built-in computer microprocessor. Signatures have been replaced with personal identification numbers and verification is handled only by computers. Eventually these cards may provide information on investments, charge accounts, and money market accounts. We may someday think of the credit card as a pocket-sized computer memory bank.
Improved verification methods are also being developed and tested. These include fingerprinting, retinal eye scanners, and computerized signature cards.
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New technology is making it more difficult for criminals to use, alter, or counterfeit credit and debit cards. Some of the innovations are already in use.
These security features have been added to major credit cards:
Holograph - a three-dimensional, laser produced optical device that changes its color and image as the card is tilted.
Fine-line printing - a repeated pattern of the card company name positioned as background for the company logo.
Ultra-violet ink - special ink that is visible only under ultra-violet light, which will display the credit card company's logo.
"Smart Cards" may be the credit cards of the future. Each card has a built-in computer microprocessor. Signatures have been replaced with personal identification numbers and verification is handled only by computers. Eventually these cards may provide information on investments, charge accounts, and money market accounts. We may someday think of the credit card as a pocket-sized computer memory bank.
Improved verification methods are also being developed and tested. These include fingerprinting, retinal eye scanners, and computerized signature cards.