Five Credit Card Technologies That Will Amaze You

Credit cards are used each and every day. Whether your card is your credit or debit card, you likely use it when you dine out, shop, get gas and even shop online. It’s not uncommon to swipe it and go, thinking little of it as you go about your day. However, there are some credit card technologies that are going to simply blow your mind. Read on to find out what they are.

EMV

A credit card with EMV is one with a tiny microchip embedded into it. It prevents people from making false cards that allow them to steal your identity and your money. It comes equipped with the option to have users enter a pin – even if they’re not using the card as a debit. It helps make cards more secure.

Cardless Cards

You might already use this or you might not. It’s a credit card without an actual credit card. What you do is link your card to your smart phone and use it to make purchases without actually having to have your card present when you use it. It’s a great concept for those who want to lighten their wallet and make it more difficult for people to access their credit card information.

Amazon Register

It’s a card reader that will allow merchants to accept credit card payments anywhere at any time. It’s a design by Amazon that allows even the smallest retailers, such as a corner lemonade stand, to accept credit card payments on a small portable machine. It makes lives so much easier for those who want to offer card acceptance but can’t do so otherwise.

Square

This is something that allows you to accept credit card payments on your phone or other mobile device. Merchants use a small square attached to their phone or iPad to swipe cards. The square reads the card and completes the transaction. It’s simple, fast and affordable.

Tap and Pay

Imagine simply being able to tap your credit card or your phone embedded with your credit card information onto something that will take the information without the need for you to do anything else. It’s a system that Commonwealth Bank has been using since December on mobile phones, and it’s a trend that’s growing rapidly.

(Photo Illustration by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)