Dave Cherry

Call 12 for Action
Jan. 31, 2008 06:02 AM

Call 12 for Action is looking into a new credit card device that’s giving consumers some peace of mind when they hand over their plastic to a stranger.

It’s common for consumers to give their credit cards to waiters and bartenders when it’s time to settle up their bills. What if that service provider isn’t trustworthy? What are they doing with your card when it’s out of your sight? One valley restaurant has found a way to make you feel more secure.

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At the end of a nice meal, have you ever felt a little anxious about handing your credit card over to your server? It’s stressful anytime your card is out of your possession– even for a few seconds. A little machine is taking that stress away. The Adobe Restaurant at the Biltmore is the first Valley restaurant to use it– it’s a wireless credit card reader from Verifone. Adobe manager Deanna Christopher says since the restaurant started using it, her customers are less fearful of credit card fraud.

“The majority of them like it because their credit card is not leaving their hand, and a few of them have had identity theft problems, those ones really like it.”

That’s right, you swipe your card. You’re server never touches it and it’s never out of your sight.

“We bring the terminal to the table, then the guest can just take their card out, they go to the payment, they can do credit or debit on it, they slide their credit card.”

Customers do seem surprised and uncomfortable at first with the new technology but they warm up quickly.

“It felt good, not having to give up the card”

Since it’s wireless and doesn’t tie up any phone lines, the reader can be used out on the golf course or other remote locations. No information is stored in the unit either. Data is immediately sent to a restaurant computer so there’s no danger if the reader is ever stolen.

“It’s great, it’s convenient, it didn’t have to leave me, so it worked out excellent. I would say try it, you’re going to like it.”

One added feature: If you a little unsure how much to tip on your bill, the reader allows you to give a 15%, 18%, or 20% tip with just a push of one button. The folks at Verifone told us that the Adobe is their only client in the Valley right now but they expect to sign-up a number of restaurants in 2008. You should be seeing a lot more of those little card readers at your lunch and dinner table in the very near future.