摘要 |
A system and method for engaging in a credit or debit transaction do not transmit an individual's account number to a vendor or merchant. The individual provides the account number to a transaction acquiring device (TAD). The TAD requires the individual to provide one or more pseudo-random numbers that identify the individual. These numbers are only obtainable from an authentication device that can be unlocked only by passing an authentication challenge. The TAD then provides transaction data to a credit or debit issuer and the vendor, but does not provide or store the account number. The issuer provides the merchant with an identifier other than the account number that is nevertheless unique to the individual. This identifier may be used to track the individual's purchase history or perform other business functions. |