It seems no matter what precautions we take, thieves are always one step ahead - stealing our identity, our valuables, and even our savings. How is it possible that your account is drained, yet you have your card on you and haven't used it all day? How do these criminals get their hands on your pin number?

In March 2007, the Associated Press reported that hackers retrieved over 45 million credit and debit card numbers from a retailer database full of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls shoppers.

Other scam methods confirmed by Snopes.com include "Lebanese Loops," clear strips that are placed in ATM card readers that trap your card, causing the machine to ask you to re-enter your pin over and over again. As you enter the pin, the culprit is peering over your shoulder to see what you entered. After you give up and walk away the thief retrieves your card.

A more advanced method involves a duplicate card reader faceplate that is placed over the legitimate ATM card slot. The duplicate scanner transmits the card number to a nearby computer. A pamphlet box is also mounted within the ATM booth, equipped with a spy camera that records the ATM screen and keyboard...recording your pin entry. Counterfeit cards are then used to access your account.

However, there is hope. Somebody is trying to restructure credit and debit cards to prevent theft. The company is CardLAB in Denmark, and they are working with a Swedish company, Fingerprints, to create the dynamic magnetic stripe with biometric recognition. These new cards are the same size as your everyday credit card, but are powered by little batteries and equipped with technology to read your fingerprint. The card will work in all existing credit card swipe machines and ATMs, but the magnetic stripe will not be activated until your fingerprint is identified. Biometric technology is the oldest method of identification and completely global. Why didn't I think of this?!

CardLAB has even created a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) version of the card. RFID is the feature that allows you to just wave your card in front of the credit card machine to make a purchase, rather than hand it to a cashier or swipe it through a scanner. The RFID problem lies in the constant communication with the machine sensors, which may result in unwanted purchases. All CardLAB has done is add a switch, that allows the user to turn off this radio frequency communication.

Of course, we all play devil's advocate to this sort of thing. To activate your card, you will need to program it with your fingerprint. Who's to say some mail thief can't steal your card and activate it for herself? How can we make online purchases using this card? Are the banks and credit card companies going to jack up my fees to pay for this breakthrough technology? The card is still in the beta-testing stages, but the technology is there, so it's just a matter of time before these questions are answered. For the time being, we all need to protect our identity, be aware of our surroundings, and be careful of whom we give our information to.

Although it may be their main focus, these new credit cards are not the only projects CardLAB and Fingerprints are working on. Fingerprints has been working with biometric recognition technology for the past ten years, creating various modules, sensors, and processors and collaborating with other companies to create inventions that use fingerprint identification such as a gun safe, employee time clocks, door locks for home and business, school test attendance, delivery confirmation, and computer security systems. CardLAB has invented a unique novelty card, named the Wavecard, which can be used as gift cards, promotion materials, and concert merchandise. By waving the card back and forth, a message appears written in lights.

For more information on these products visit www.cardlab.com and www.fingerprints.com.