A method of eleCtroniC payment whiCh allows money to be transferred from the aCCount of the shopper to the merChant in Close-to real-time. Generally the shopper will give the merChant a Credit or debit Card, whiCh will be swiped to obtain the aCCount information. The shopper will then be required to either sign a reCeipt or enter a PIN via a keypad to authorise the transaCtion. (2003-06-22)