The UK Office of Fair Trading announced on Friday that it was launching a new fact-finding study into online shopping that will "explore consumer confidence in this area and, in particular, whether the current consumer protection regime meets any new challenges raised by this mode of selling."   » Continue Reading

In separately issued press releases, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express today all announced that Arby's would begin taking their contactless cards in-store and at the drive-thru.   » Continue Reading

Alex Halperin reports for Business Week Online on the impact that biometrics could have in the future on everyday life - from paying for coffee, to getting cash out of an ATM to logging on to your computer at work.

Convenience Store News reports that an "amended consolidated complaint against Visa, MasterCard and several major banks was filed by a broad range of merchant groups, including the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), in the Eastern District of New York" was filed April 24.   » Continue Reading

As mentioned earlier this morning, United and Chase have announced United's Mileage Plus Choices, a new travel loyalty program.   » Continue Reading

David Breitkopf and H. Michael Jalili report for the American Banker on last Friday's vote by members of Visa USA to appoint four independent directors to the Visa USA board - and how one member, TCF Financial, attempted to block the vote over concerns about potential increased liability.

Susan Carey reports for the Wall St. Journal on United Airlines working with JP Morgan Chase to enhance the rewards available to United Mileage Plus Visa cardholders.

Susan Tompor writes for the Detroit Free-Press about the use of banking services by Hispanics in the US.

Tim Johnson reports for Knight Ridder about the capabilities of the latest mobile phones in Japan and the new services being enabled.   » Continue Reading

Sharlene Goff reports for the Financial Times that Transport for London has abandoned plans to expand the utility of its Oyster prepaid card after failing to reach agreement on terms with a financial partner.   » Continue Reading

Liz Pulliam Weston writes for MSN Money about seven credit card trends that consumers should be aware of.

• ATMmarketplace.com: Industry leaders to talk ATM crime in N.Y.
• Peppercoin Selected by ERG to Provide Small Payments Suite for Nation's First Contactless Credit Card Bus Fare Payment Solution
• Federated Completes Second Credit Card Receivables Transaction with Citigroup
• Global Cash Access Introduces the Arriva Card! - a private label credit card for the gaming industry
• MasterCard International ''Get Wired'' Sweepstakes Gives Small Businesses the Chance to Win Technology Makeovers
• VeriFone to Host Payment Security Conference
• San Jose Mercury News: Changing marketplace - a look at eBay vs. Google
• Symantec and Industry Leaders Launch an Antifraud Community With Unprecedented Reach - Symantec Phish Report Network Counts eBay, Google, RSA Security, Wells Fargo, and Yahoo! Among the Members
• New York Times: Guidelines for Radio Tags Aim to Protect Buyer Privacy
• Banks make stock a bigger share of exec compensation
• Unisys Real Time Technology Helps Banorte Improve Detection of Fraud, Identity Theft and Money Laundering