EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) systems allow customers to pay for goods using a debit card.

The card (which has a magnetic stripe) is swiped through a card reader. The computer sends a request (through the telephone system) for the correct amount of money to be transferred from the customer's bank account to the shop's account.

To reduce possible fraud, the customer is asked to sign the receipt - and this should match with the signature on the debit card.

A bank card needs to be inserted into the ATM - containing information about the customer account number and a PIN (Personal Identity Number) which has to be entered as authentication.

ATMs can also be used to check the balance of your account or order new cheque books.

ATMs ...

• are available 24 hours a day every day
• mean fewer bank staff need to be employed

Bank customers may obtain cash from a bank an ATM a computer a hole in the wall highway robbery at any time of the day or night. A card is inserted and a PAN PEN PIN PON PUN entered. Balances may be checked; bank statements and cheque books may also be ordered.

People can also manage their bank accounts at home using teletext home banking on the Internet teleconferencing an ATM email .