Final's credit card tackles security with unique numbers for each retailer

17 Oct 2014 • engadget.com

It’s called Final, and the chip & PIN card serves up a unique number to every place you shop or a “disposable” set of digits for one-time use. So when the next Target or Home Depot breach happens, you’ll only have to deactivate the number assigned to those places rather than go through the hassle with your bank. You can easily deactivate numbers when a subscription has run its course, and set monthly limits so you’re alerted when someone tries to go over that amount or that “free trial” runs out.

It’s funny that the name is “final”, because when I hear this all I think is “finally.” I’ve wanted this forever. Instead of giving someone “my” credit card number I should give them “their” number, and the ability to charge me via that number. If I change my mind, I revoke their number. The spending limits is a great idea I hadn’t thought of but a pretty obvious extension of the idea. And these generated #s should have no expiration dates.

Are there any credit cards or ATM cards out there already doing this and I just don’t know about it?