It used to be that paying with cash was the quickest way through a checkout line, but that may be changing. Consumer Reports takes a look at a touch-less technology that's supposed to get you in and out of a store with a wave of your hand.

Paying for merchandise by waving your card in front of a special reader? Visa's "PayWave" technology is offered by 41 card-issuing banks around the world and accepted at more than 32,000 retailers. The cards use microchips and radio waves to transmit encrypted information. You don't need to sign for most purchases less than $25.

That means speedier checkouts. Sure it's convenient, but Greg Daugherty of Consumer Reports Money Adviser said there could be a downside to waving all that information through the air.

"The card issuers deny it, but some people think this technology exposes you to greater security risks, such as identity theft. There's concern about a tactic called skimming, where a thief could use a portable card reader to literally skim your encrypted information out of the air," said Daugherty.

Visa insists the data on your card can only be processed by secure readers at authorized merchants.

And PayWave cards are covered by Visa's zero-liability policy, meaning you're not responsible if a thief uses your card. But there are other pitfalls.

"You may not get a receipt on transactions under $25 unless you ask for one, which could be a problem if you need to return something," said Daugherty.

And a study last year by Smart Card Alliance found people spend an average of 20 to 30 percent more when using touch less technology.

So be careful if you wave and pay. You could find yourself with some unexpected debt.

If you decide to apply for a "touch less" pay card, Consumer Reports said be sure to read the fine print. And double-check to see whether the card has penalty fees, which can add up to a lot of money in short order.

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Copyright © 2003-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

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