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MasterCard to Allow Card Purchases Based on Location

Feb 25, 2014, 12:24 PM by Eric M. Zeman

MasterCard today announced a new program that will use customers' cell phone location data to help determine if it should or shouldn't approve purchases. The opt-in program is meant for travelers who often visit other countries. Customers register their cell phone number with the program and allow MasterCard to track the location of their phone. If the customer travels to another country and activates their registered phone in that country, MasterCard will approve transactions made there. The program does not actually facilitate mobile payments through cell phones, but ties consumers' phone number and location to their credit card. MasterCard believes it will help prevent fraud, as well as offer travelers peace of mind in knowing that when they need to make purchases abroad, their card won't be declined. MasterCard also sees it as an opportunity to offer targeted offers. Syniverse is providing the location data to MasterCard.

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kingstu

Feb 25, 2014, 1:08 PM

Scheme to collect more personal data

They want you to use your data plan so they can target ads (coupons) to you as well as sell you prepaid data for roaming. It discourages the use of a local SIM which reduce roaming rates for data, SMS and voice calls. There are cheaper and easier ways to "check in" when you traveling abroad to verify purchases instead of tracking you everywhere you go whether you are making credit card purchases or not.

johnhr2

I still find it easier when leaving my normal area, for vacation or work, to call or go to the website and tell the card holder (bank, credit union, etc) that I plan on going to x country or state via x transportation for x amount of days so expect e...
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