Shell to Let Customers Pay-by-Finger

Shell wants customers to give them the finger, at least in terms of paying for their gas.  10 Chicago-area stations are testing biometric payment systems.

Ten Shell gas stations in the Windy City are testing biometric systems that let consumers walk up to the pump, scan their fingertips on a device and fill up their vehicles. The systems, also installed at Shell convenience stores, are directly linked to customers' checking or credit-card accounts for payment.

"When we talk to customers, they're always looking for ways to make buying gasoline quicker and easier, and always looking for ways to make their transactions faster and more secure," said Chris Susse, Shell's manager of global refueling innovations. "They don't want to carry more cards, kits and keychains, and they want it to be free."

Customers will be able to initially scan their fingerprints at a kiosk inside the gas station and can link payment information either at the store or online.

Let us just remind you: anyone seen Demolition Man and remember how biometrics were bypassed by Wesley Snipes?  'Nuff said.

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