Table of Contents
| Field | Retail Point of Sales Technology |
| Went Obsolete | Early 1990s |
| Made Obsolete By | Phone based credit card authorization devices |
| Knowledge Assumed | Reading |
| When useful | Truly Obsolete |
In the days before online, instant verification of Credit Card purchases, retail clerks were required to look up every card they took in the canceled card book. It was about 5×8” and printed on onionskin paper. The book came in the mail weekly and there were separate books for MasterCard, formerly Master Charge and Visa, formerly BankAmericard.
When you found a card in the book, you called the number on the front and spoke with the card Security Department. Often, they spoke with the cardholder and the sale was voided. Once in a while, you caught a stolen card and received a reward check of about $25.00.
