CHICAGO — Shell oil has rolled out a biometric payment method at 10 of its gas stations in the Chicago area. Consumers who enroll in the pay by touch program will be able to purchase their gasoline at the pump with the touch of their finger to a biometric reader.

“We want Shell to be the first choice for motorists and we aim to achieve that with operational excellence, said Chris Suess, manager of global refueling innovation for Shell. “That involves having the right people in place, first and foremost; but it also requires keeping stride, if not staying ahead of the curve, where technology is concerned.”

Consumers enroll for the program at a terminal where they indicate whether they want topay for their gas through a credit or debit card or through their checking account and then place their finger on a reader for an initial scan. Once their fingerprint is recorded they can pay with their fingerprint at any Shell station with the service.

“Customers are going to walk away satisfied with this new technology because it's faster, easier and more secure, which offers convenience and peace of mind,” said Suess. “Because the driver must be physically present to conduct the transaction, we will be able to reduce the risk of fraud and make transactions safer for our customers.”