MasterCard is experimenting with facial scans and fingerprints to authorize online purchases Soon, you may be able to complete your online shopping by snapping a selfie. MasterCard plans on launching a pilot program this fall that uses biometrics to approve purchases instead of password verification. You could opt for fingerprint approval, but you could also finish check-out with a facial scan.

According to CNN Money, MasterCard security expert Ajay Bhalla thinks the selfie generation will �find it cool. They�ll embrace it.�

MasterCard has partnered with smartphone makers and is finalizing plans with a major bank to launch the experimental trial, which will be limited to 500 users. If all goes well, however, the credit card company plans on launching the technology for the public.

Here how it will work: you�ll download the MasterCard app, and when you�re ready to pay for a purchase, you�ll select an authorization method. You can go for a fingerprint scan with a touch, or you can opt for the selfie-authorization: stare at your phone and blink once.

(The blink the security feature to make sure someone not just holding up a photograph.)

MasterCard won�t maintain the data of your fingerprint or the facial scan. The fingerprint scan will be saved as a code on your phone, and the facial scan will convert your face into a numerical code that sent to MasterCard. Bhalla told CNN �that the information would transmit securely and remain safe on the company computer servers.�

MasterCard also plans on trying out voice recognition to approve purchases: check out by talking to your phone.

Current MasterCard customers use a �SecureCode,� or a traditional password for online purchases. The SecureCode was used in three billion transactions last year. There no data on the number of times customers forgot or lost their passwords, though.

The fingerprint and selfie scan technology would make impulse purchases easier than ever. That hazy moment when you�re not quite sure whether you really need this? Gone, with the blink of an eye.

MasterCard facial scan on CNN Money