News

Cub Foods launches biometric payment system

May 19, 2005

STILLWATER, Minn. - Cub Foods announced in a news release that it is launching biometric payment technology in four of its Twin Cities stores. Provided by Pay By Touch, the system is free to shoppers and will allow them to pay for their groceries with a finger scan that is linked to their financial accounts.

Shoppers can use Pay By Touch after a one-time enrollment at a special kiosk. Enrollment consists of providing identification, a voided check or EBT card and a finger scan. The Pay By Touch system does not use actual fingerprints. It creates a set of 40 data points that cannot be reverse-engineered into a fingerprint.

Shoppers enrolled in the Pay By Touch service can use a finger to purchase products at any participating Cub Foods store. After shoppers scan a finger at the checkout, the system displays their "wallet," which contains the payment options available to them. During the pilot program, payment options will include direct checking account deduction and EBT. Additional options, such as credit and debit cards, may be added at a later date.