An identification method is disclosed which comprises establishing a database or using an existing database of authorized credit card holders which is addressed by credit card identification number or other identifying nomenclature to determine the validity of a credit card account and the status thereof when the card is presented for a transaction at a transaction point. The database will contain in digital form an identification (ID) photo of the authorized credit card holder, a digital representation of the signature of the authorized card holder and other personal and physical data as well as the condition of the account i.e. transaction authorized or declined. The attendant at the transaction point will insert the credit card into a card reader together with identification of the transaction (price and/or other data) and transmit this information to the database. The ID photo and selected other data will be transmitted back to the point of transaction and viewed by the attendant on a video monitor. The attendant will then make a comparison of the card presenter with the ID photo and continue with the transaction if positive comparison is made. If the attendant is not sure of visual identification the attendant may then question the presenter regarding the personal data in order to insure positive identification of the presenter.

A personal identification system wherein an encoded version of the user's fingerprint is reprint is recorded on an identification card or device; this encoded version is security machine-read and directly compared at the time of use with an impression of the fingerprint on a different but designated area of the card, or alternatively on a designated area of the machine-reader or a separate card, the comparison being done on a one-to-one basis so as to reduce the need for a large memory or storage capacity for fingerprint records on the card or in the security machine-reader. The personal identification system can be used with passports, travellers cheques, credit cards, cheque cards and the like.

A transaction system includes a network of terminals and a network of servers each form separate communication networks for impersonal transaction and anonymous transmission. No reference to an individual person exists for executing card transactions at a point of sale. The terminals generate impersonal identifiers for a discrete card and user and the servers receive the impersonal identifiers for datafile matching to authorize a transaction at the point of sale for a discrete card and user. No personal identifiers are carried on the card to identify a cardholder, the card is impersonal.

A supersmart card system is provided for authorizing transactions between a transaction card user and a merchant. The supersmart card system includes a plurality of conventional transaction cards such as a debit cards, credit cards, or phone service cards, and a transaction authorization device. The transaction authorization device is user-carried and constructed to be separate and apart from the transaction card. The transaction authorization device includes logic means for storing data relating to the identity of the transaction card user and data relating to the authorization of transactions between a user and financial institutions or service providers. Preferably, the transaction authorization card also includes means enabling a user to select a particular transaction card for processing a transaction. The supersmart card system therein provides the simple to manufacture and use structure which reduces the potential for fraud arising from theft of a transaction card and which enables a user to carry about a single authorization device for authorizing transactions involving a large number of transaction cards and their corresponding financial institutions and service providers between a transaction card user and merchant.

A method of codifying and comparing an identification card includes imprinting the identification card with a selected fingerprint of the owner which upon match with a corresponding natural fingerprint of the owner opens the access to a terminal that stores another fingerprint of the owner. If a comparison of this stored fingerprint matches also the corresponding natural fingerprint of the owner, the identification card is cleared for use.