If you know anything about identity theft, chances are that you probably know that one of the main ways for a person to steal your identity is from your credit or debit card. While there are many different places that a person could steal a credit card or debit card number from, there is one place which is very common that you may have never even thought about - restaurants.
We are not specifically talking about fast food restaurants, which is what you may be thinking (though it can happen at these places when you go to the drive-thru window and give someone else your card). What we are talking about is sit down restaurants, where many people opt to pay with a credit or debit card. While there are some restaurants which allow you to pay at the front, there are many more where you will need to hand over your credit card to the waiter or waitress if you are interested in using this method. When a waiter or waitress steals your identity, they will copy the number and use it to their own benefit later on.
Chances are that it would not even cross your mind that the waiter or waitress who has your credit card could possibly be stealing your identity. When we give someone our credit or debit card to simply pay for something, such as a meal, we do not think that they would possibly steal it. If a waiter or waitress should steal your identity, you might not even realize that it was them until later on - if you realize it at all, that is.
It would be great if someone could find a way to prevent identity theft from happening at restaurants to begin with. One of the solutions, pay-at-the-table credit card readers, would be an excellent option. This would work by credit card readers (otherwise referred to as credit card machines) which would be set up at the table which you have eaten at. You would then swipe your credit or debit card on your own, without the use of a third party. Ultimately, this would reduce the risk of identity theft at a restaurant from occurring.
A pay-at-the-table credit card reader would be very beneficial to anyone who eats out at restaurants frequently. Unfortunately, pay-at-the-table credit card readers have not yet made their way to United States. They are very commonly used throughout Europe. If restaurants could opt to use pay-at-the-table credit card readers, they will help prevent identity theft from happening to their customers - which probably will lead to the ultimate satisfaction of their customers.
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